One Adamawa, Many Tribes
The Adamawa Pulse Initiative
Adamawa and Taraba States are home to many communities with unique histories and identities. Through the “One Adamawa, Many Tribes” series, the Adamawa Pulse Initiative highlights these groups, ensuring that their heritage is preserved with accuracy and respect.
Today, we explore the Mumuye people, one of the major ethnic groups in northeastern Nigeria.
The Mumuye People: Farmers, Artists, and Custodians of Tradition
Location and Distribution
The Mumuye are found in both Taraba and Adamawa States.
In Taraba State, they occupy large parts of Zing, Yorro, Jalingo, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, and Bali LGAs, among others.
In Adamawa State, Mumuye communities are found in Ganye, Jada, Toungo, and Mayo-Belwa LGAs.
This makes the Mumuye one of the largest ethnic groups in Taraba State and a significant community within Adamawa.
Language
The Mumuye language belongs to the Adamawa branch of the Niger-Congo language family. It has more than a dozen dialects due to the people’s wide geographical spread. It remains actively spoken, especially in rural communities, although Hausa and Fulfulde are also widely used for communication.
History
The Mumuye trace their origins to ancient migrations in the Benue Valley. Historically, they lived in independent village communities without centralized kingship, instead organizing themselves through clan-based leadership.
During the 19th century, the Mumuye came into contact with the Fulani-led Fombina Emirate, but their scattered settlements and reliance on difficult terrain allowed them to retain much of their independence.
Culture and Social Life
The Mumuye are internationally recognized for their wooden sculptures, which are among the most studied and exhibited pieces of African art worldwide. These sculptures were historically tied to rituals, healing, and initiation societies.
Traditional Mumuye society placed importance on initiation ceremonies that marked the passage to adulthood. Community cooperation in farming and festivals celebrating agricultural cycles remain central to their cultural identity.
Economy
The Mumuye are primarily farmers, cultivating millet, sorghum, guinea corn, yams, and groundnuts. They also keep livestock such as goats, sheep, and poultry. Farming is both an economic necessity and a cultural foundation.
Religion
Traditionally, the Mumuye practiced a belief system centered on ancestral spirits and nature deities. In the 20th century, Christianity spread widely among them, and today most Mumuye communities identify as Christian, though traditional beliefs continue to influence cultural practices.
Conclusion: A People of Art and Resilience
The Mumuye people of Adamawa and Taraba are known for their farming traditions, artistic heritage, and resilient identity. As the largest ethnic group in Taraba State and a significant community in Adamawa, they remain an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and historical mosaic.
Because one Adamawa, many tribes — one pulse.
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