Fun facts about the Koma Tribe
By Christopher Peculiar
The Koma tribe is a hill-dwelling ethnic group in northern Adamawa, in the Alantika Mountains, which shares a border with southern Cameroun known for maintaining a distinctive, isolated culture. Hill-dwellers are spread through the south and southwest of these mountains, including many on the Cameroun side. Historically, they sought refuge in the mountains to preserve their traditional lifestyle from outside influences like the 19th-century jihad. The people are divided into three predominant groups: the hill-dwelling Beya and Ndamti, the Vomni and Verre lowlanders.
According to TownHall gist, they were discovered by a young NYSC corper sometimes around 1986-1989. It was said that their isolation was due to the fact that they reside on the mountains which is not easily accessible, their migration to the Alantika mountains (which means “Allah hasn't been there yet”) was due to the jihad led by Usman Dan Fodio in the 1800s, so they migrated to the top of the mountains in order to avoid the jihadist and have been since then far from civilization.
What are some facts about these isolated tribe?
1. They speak their own language, also known as Koma, which is part of the Niger-Congo family.
2. Members of the Koma tribe smoke, and it is a cultural practice, particularly for women who smoke traditional tobacco using wooden pipes, which is believed to be medicinal and is part of their daily routine and connection to nature and culture.
3. Clothing: Koma women famously wear fresh green leaves tied around their waists as traditional attire, while men traditionally wear loincloths.
4. Agriculture: They are agriculturalists, cultivating crops such as sorghum, millet, corn, and peanuts.
5. Twin Births: In some Koma communities, particularly those still living in remote settlements, the birth of twins was considered an evil omen and the babies, along with their mothers, were buried alive.
6. They practice polygamy and polyandry: A Koma man may share his wife with friends, especially visitors. As a mark of acceptance and friendship.
7. According to FatherLand Gazette, one funny albeit irritating culture is their men engaging in extended farting sessions on the occasion of public dancing ceremonies. They train with a master and at the end of the training, they are capable of farting for hours on end. When the anus area becomes irritated from prolonged flatulence, it is soothed with a healing powder.
Lately, missionaries were able to access the people and that has brought about civilization and acceptance to other faiths. They practice the three major religions in Nigeria; 60% of them are Christians, 30% traditionalists and 20% Muslims.
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