The Mbula People: Warriors of Tradition, Keepers of Ancestry

One Adamawa, Many Tribes

The Adamawa Pulse Initiative

Every tribe has a story, a rhythm, and a heartbeat that contributes to the vibrant cultural symphony of Adamawa State. Through the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series by the Adamawa Pulse Initiative, we are rediscovering and celebrating these unique identities — not just as fragments of history, but as living traditions that still shape who we are today.

Today, we shine the spotlight on the Mbula people, a proud ethnic group whose legacy of courage, tradition, and spirituality continues to echo across generations.

The Mbula People: Warriors of Tradition, Keepers of Ancestry

The Mbula people, also known as Mbula-Bwazza, are one of the indigenous ethnic groups of Adamawa State. They are primarily found in Demsa, Song, and Lamurde Local Government Areas, with communities also spread into parts of neighboring Gombe and Taraba States.

The Mbula are known for their rich cultural heritage, strong traditional institutions, and communal spirit. Like many Adamawa peoples, their identity is deeply tied to history, spirituality, and resilience.

Origin and Migration

The history of the Mbula people is preserved largely through oral tradition. Many accounts trace their origin to ancient migrations from the Cameroon highlands into the Benue Valley, where they eventually settled in what is today southern and central Adamawa.

Their settlement patterns followed rivers, fertile plains, and strategic highlands, which provided both security and sustenance. Over time, they established villages and chiefdoms that have endured despite external pressures of conquest, colonialism, and modernization.

The Mbula Monarchy and Traditional Leadership

At the heart of Mbula identity is their traditional monarchy. The paramount ruler of the Mbula people is the Murum Mbula, whose palace is in Gyawana (near Lamurde). The institution of the Murum Mbula serves as a spiritual, cultural, and political anchor for the people.

The king’s role goes beyond governance — he is seen as the custodian of ancestral wisdom, the defender of tradition, and the symbolic link between the living and the ancestors. Coronation ceremonies of a new Murum Mbula are deeply spiritual, filled with rituals, songs, and the blessing of the land.

Language and Identity

The Mbula speak the Mbula language, which belongs to the Bantu family within the Niger-Congo linguistic group. It is a language rich in proverbs, folktales, and oral literature that preserve the worldview of the people.

Despite the growing influence of Hausa, Fulfulde, and English, the Mbula language remains central to their identity — especially in rural communities where it is still passed down to younger generations.

Culture, Festivals, and Spirituality

Mbula culture is vibrant and deeply expressive. Traditional music, dance, and masquerades are not just entertainment but expressions of spiritual connection and communal unity.

One of the most significant cultural events among the Mbula is the Kwete Festival, shared with neighboring Bwatiye people but celebrated with Mbula distinctiveness. It is a harvest and thanksgiving festival, marked by traditional dances, wrestling, drumming, and masquerade displays.

Traditional Mbula spirituality revolves around ancestral worship, sacred groves, and deities tied to natural elements. Even though many Mbula people today are Christians or Muslims, these spiritual traditions still find expression in festivals, rites of passage, and respect for the land.

Livelihood and Way of Life

The Mbula are predominantly farmers, cultivating crops such as yam, millet, guinea corn, and maize. Farming is not only an economic activity but a cultural duty — the strength of the community is tied to the fertility of the land.

Hunting, fishing, and crafts such as weaving, pottery, and blacksmithing were also historically important. Today, while many Mbula people live in towns and cities, farming and traditional skills remain at the heart of village life.

Conclusion: A Proud Legacy in Adamawa’s Heartbeat

The Mbula people are more than a community; they are a bridge between past and present, tradition and modernity. Their kingship, language, festivals, and communal values keep them firmly rooted in their ancestral heritage, even as they contribute to the wider growth of Adamawa and Nigeria.

As the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series continues, the story of the Mbula reminds us of the strength found in cultural diversity — and of the truth that Adamawa’s heartbeat is only complete when every tribe is heard.

Because one Adamawa, many tribes — one pulse.