Kugama in Nigeria

People Name:	Kugama
Country:	Nigeria
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	6,500
World Population:	6,500
Primary Language:	Kugama
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	45.00 %
Evangelicals:	20.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Started
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Adamawa-Ubangi
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

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.