Kwaami in Nigeria
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| People Name: | Kwaami |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 26,000 |
| World Population: | 26,000 |
| Primary Language: | Kwaami |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 17.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 3.00 % |
| Scripture: | Unspecified |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | No |
| People Cluster: | Chadic |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Kwaami people claim to have migrated from Yemen, traveling a route through Lake Chad and Ketemberem/Petenberem to Geri Kwom, their first settlement. They also founded Kafarati and finally the present town of Kwami.
All generations speak the Kwaami language (also known as Komawa, Kwam, Kwamanchi, Kwami, or Kwom). The Kwaami people can be found in the Gombe LGA (Local Government Area) in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Kwaami people are divided into seven patrilineal clans. They have a centralized political organization, with a king (awuni), who comes from one of the clans at the top. Other officials from other clans hold the titles of chiefs and courtiers.
Like most ethnic groups in Bauchi State, agriculture is the main occupation of the Kwaami people. They raise cattle and other stock and grow cotton, maize, groundnut, millet, and guinea corn. They have good soil and amble access to water for their crops, for cooking food and washing up, and for fishing expeditions.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The primary religion is Folk Islam. This syncretistic belief system combines traditional elements of Islam with superstitious practices such as warding off spirits with incantations and magic amulets, and reciting verses of the Koran to bring about miraculous healings.
A small minority of the Kwaami people have become Christians.
What Are Their Needs?
The Kwaami language is thought to be used as a first language by all in the ethnic community. It is not taught in schools. Surveys would help assess the multilingualism of the Kwaami people and in what domains Kwaami, English, Hausa, and neighboring languages are being used. Community leaders interested in language development to preserve their language might consider attending workshops, as they become available, that expose participants to language vitality and potential short-term development and translation projects.
Prayer Points
Pray the Kwaami people will turn to Christ as the Great Physician for healing and that they will be freed from fear of spirits through faith in Him.
Pray further research can be conducted to help assess the vitality of the Kwaami language and assist community leaders in deciding if they wish to pursue language development.
Pray Kwaami speakers will engage with Scripture that is available in other languages to assess their level of understanding of those Scriptures to determine their translation needs.