Kamwe people

The Kamwe people (also spelled Kamue) is a Chadic language speaking group, native to Adamawa State and Borno State of Nigeria and Northwest Cameroon.

Distribution

About 80 percent of the Kamwe people in Nigeria live in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa. They are also found in Mubi North, Hong, Gombi, Song and Madagali local governments in Adamawa State. Kamwe people are also found in Borno State, especially in Askira/Uba and Gwoza local government areas. Blench (2019) lists Mukta of Mukta village in Adamawa State as part of the Kamwe cluster.[1]

Kamwe is a compound word derived from the words "Ka" and "Mwe", which means "people of". It derived its meaning from a special type of Kamwe ornament worn by close relatives of a deceased person as a mark of identity and empathy.[2]

According to Kamwe elders, "Mwe" is the mark of true identity of relatives in Kamweland. In the past, if a non-relative wore the Mwe, it could lead to conflict. Only close relatives are allowed to wear the Mwe, because it cements the bond between relatives. Those wearing the Mwe hug themselves saying tselie ra na (you are my relative). Some elders state that Kamwe means people of the heavens, people on the hills, mountains and even the sky. More than 24 dialects of Kamwe language exist, but Nkafa is the central dialect and is used in writing and literature.[1]

The Kamwe people and language were once called Higgi (Higi). Kamwe elders say "Higgi" is a derogatory word and is an ngelai (insult) and a derogatory word coined from hagyi (grasshopper) by their neighbours the Margi. Kamwe people despise the word, except some in the Dakwa (Bazza) area who are originally of Margi origin. The Margi first called the Kamwe people "Higgi" in 1937.[1][3]

Kamwe people are natives of Michika local government. Kwada Kwakaa, a great lion and leopard hunter is regarded as the founder of the settlement. The settlement was named after his method of hunting animals on the hill. In the Kamwe language, "Mwe” means heaven or hills while “Ci-ka” means creep, which was later mispronounced by colonialists as Michika.[4]

The traditional ruler is called Mbege Kamwe. The current ruler is Ngida Zakawa Kwache.[5]

References
  1. Kwache, Iliya Yame (2016). Kamwe People of Northern Nigeria: Origin, History and Culture. Prudent Universal Press and Publishing Company Limited. ISBN 978-978-905-313-1.
  2. Ahmadu Bashir 105 year d. 18th December 2018
  3. Studies in Nigerian Language. (Phonology of the Kamwe (Higi) People.) 1973. Mohrlang, R. Zaria, Nigeria
  4. "Michika: A strong People, a strong Nation,bouncing back despite various types of Insurgents attacks". TG NEWS. 2017-04-02. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  5. Emmanuel Ande, Yola (2019-01-27). "After 58 years, Michika gets substantive royal father". The Guardian. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
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