Kugama in Nigeria

The Kugama have only been reported in Nigeria
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Kugama people group is a small tribe living in hilly areas called Gengle. The Wam people are commonly known as Kugama. The speakers refer to their language as ɲáː wàm 'the Wam language'.


Where Are they Located?

They live in the northern part of Nigeria, north east and north central (the middle belt). Kugama is spoken in a number of villages in Mayo-Belwa LGA, Fufore LGA, Jada LGA and Ganye LGA of Adamawa State.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The major cultural festival of the Kugama people is a circumcise festival referred to natively as the 'wehkie' circumcise festival. This festival is held in bahgoreh kugama Mayo-Belwa LGA in January every two years.

They are a peaceful farming community. They raise sorghum, maize, groundnut, beans, and livestock.

The native food of the Kugama people includes a special soup called 'Dargaza', natively called 'Hankukie'. It is the number one Kugama soup. 'Dargaza' is an elongated root like structured substance, that is usually prepared and cooked with all of its ingredients at one time, then allowed to cool off totally before being eaten. The 'coldness' allows for the 'drawy' nature of the soup to be more manifest and therefore, enhances the taste. Kugama soups are eaten with the native 'Tuwo', which could be made with sorghum or natively called 'huwh som', maize or natively called 'huwh subugoh', or the native 'jigari' or natively referred to as 'huwh nuh yuh'.

Moringa leaves, usually referred to as 'han biri', are used in preparing traditional salads and it is mixed with 'Kuli-kuli' or groundnut cakes. This serves as another special meal for the Kugama people.

The Kugama people usually bear very beautiful and meaningful names; like Sinalui meaning in hands of God, Luipwa meaning God answered, Vasunyamea meaning my help, Naheluhem meaning wave of my tears.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Good News first came to the Kugama through Christian workers. Today, about 45 percent claim faith in Christ. About 10 percent follow another major world religion while the rest practice traditional African beliefs.


Prayer Points

Pray for restoration of peace and unity.
Pray they will practice real Christianity instead of synretistic beliefs.
Pray for those who are turning to other beliefs.


Scripture Prayers for the Kugama in Nigeria.


Profile Source:   Vasunya Nimfas  

People Name General Kugama
People Name in Country Kugama
Alternate Names Wam; Yamale
Population this Country 6,700
Population all Countries 6,700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 11262
ROP3 Code 105347
Country Nigeria
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 6  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Adamawa state: Fufore LGA.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Nigeria
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 6  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Adamawa state: Fufore LGA..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 20.00 %)
45.00 %
Ethnic Religions
45.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
10.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kugama (6,700 speakers)
Language Code kow   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kugama (6,700 speakers)
Language Code kow   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kugama

Primary Language:  Kugama

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Profile Source Vasunya Nimfas 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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