Chadic · Nigeria’s peoples

Bolewa

The Bolewa live in northern Gombe and southern Yobe, historically along the Gongola River.

At a glance

Where do the Bolewa people live?: Their homeland is in Fika in Yobe State and Kwami in Gombe State, across 2 local government areas. They are also a large share of Dukku, Funakaye and Nafada in Gombe State and Potiskum in Yobe State.
What language do the Bolewa speak?: Bole, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic).

Overview

The Bolewa live in northern Gombe and southern Yobe, historically along the Gongola River. Their kings were called Mai; Fika in Yobe is a Bolewa centre.^[2],[3]Medium confidence

Where the Bolewa live

Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.

Yobe
- Fika(Homeland)
- Potiskum(Shared area)
- Gulani(Smaller presence)
- Nangere(Smaller presence)
Gombe
- Kwami(Homeland)
- Dukku(Shared area)
- Funakaye(Shared area)
- Nafada(Shared area)

Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.

Communities beyond the homeland

Potiskum (Fika Emirate)

Potiskum, Yobe State.^[4],[5]High confidence

Seat of the Fika Emirate, whose Emir, the Moi, is head of the Bole (Bolewa) people.^[4]

Language

Bole, a language of the Chadic family (Afro-Asiatic › Chadic). ISO 639-3: bol.^[1]High confidence

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).