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Author(s): Helen Danladi James.

Volume/Issue: Volume 5 , Issue 4 (2022)

Abstract:

Mwanatari is a community located between Lafiya and Lamurde in Lamurde LGA of Adamawa State. It lies on Latitude 9.560N and Longitude 11.70E, 164.00m/538.06ft ASL. The community shares boundary with Bwatiye (Bachama and Bata) communities. The ethnic groups found within the area are Mwana, Chobbo, Kwah, Waja, Lunguda, Dadiya, Jenjo, Hausa, and Fulani. The people of Mwanatari are predominantly agrarian. Lamurde is the administrative headquarters of the local government area and it is about 100 kilometers from Yola, the State capital. Like any other people Lamurde local government is noted for its unique cultural heritage. The Bachama people are noted warriors as is easily depicted in their popular dance “Wuro Kaduwe” closely related are the Homtu Gbatakaito at Gyawana which has to do with hunting, and the “Badan” at Nghakawo. They have the “kwete” wrestling festival in the town of Lamurde which comes up once in a year. It is a wrestling between the people of Gyawana and Lamurde. It is during the festival that His Royal Highness the Hama Bachama discloses his plans and vision to his subjects. Apart from Kwete wrestling festival, there is the “Poto” at Waduku, “Vayato” at Gyawana and Opalo. The Kwah “ Gikan” festival is celebrated yearly. The Waja celebrates “Saulawe” Chobbo “ Cito” and “Dikulem” “kreth” among the Lunguda and Dadiya respectively. Lamurde itself is a historical town where western civilization and tradition exist side by side. The Mwana people, according to history migrated from Cham in present day Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State. The people of Cham migrated from Yamel in the East with some tribes like Lunguda, Tula, and Dadiya at about 1777. They came to Africa through Egypt and settled at Wanda. As a result of unproductive agricultural land, bad climate and weather, the people of Cham being good agriculturalists decided to move from Wanda to a free and fertile land at Fitilai (Kuntur) in 1797. At Fitilai, Baba Dan Bulo, an informant said, “The people of Cham settled in groups according to their clans. In these small clans, there is a type of disperse, cross or integrated relationship which is shown by ties of reputed kingship, chieftaincy and religious complexities. The major clans among these settlements were Fitilai to Bwelimi, and Fitilai to Dijimi, out of which the following small clans emerged: Jabe, Bwelimi, Kwasim, Lebe, Dungurang and Tiksir. These clans believed in peace and have special love and care for one another and therefore regard themselves as brothers (Shete) plural of Chum, brother”.

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