Kainji · Nigeria’s peoples

Kambari

At a glance

Where do the Kambari people live?: Their homeland is in Niger and Kebbi States, across 7 local government areas. They are also a large share of Kontagora in Niger State.
What language do the Kambari speak?: Kambari languages (Tsishingini, Cishingini, Tsikimba, Baangi and others), a language of the Kainji family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Kainji).

Overview

The Kambari (Kamberi) live around Lake Kainji in Niger and Kebbi States, in two language clusters with many dialects: Agadi in Mariga, Avadi and Ashingini in Magama, Baangi in Kontagora, Nwanci around Agwara, and Agaushi (Cishingini) and Akimba (Tsikimba) around Auna, Magama and Yauri. They are farmers. Kambari languages are Kainji languages, related to C'lela and Duka. In Agwara LGA, formerly part of Borgu, the Kambari now hold political power.^[3],[2],[4]High confidence

Where the Kambari 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.

Niger
- Agwara(Homeland)
- Borgu(Homeland)
- Magama(Homeland)
- Mariga(Homeland)
- Mashegu(Homeland)
- Kontagora(Shared area)
Kebbi
- Ngaski(Homeland)
- Yauri(Homeland)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Yauri

Yauri, Kebbi State.^[6]High confidence

Yauri was first settled around 1000–1200 by an eastern group, mainly the Kambari, who drew later migrants with the fertile river land; Songhai briefly invaded it.^[6]

Kontagora

Kontagora, Niger State.^[7],[8]High confidence

Umaru Nagwamatse founded Kontagora in 1864 on land conquered from the Kambari; under his son Ibrahim (from 1880) the emirate's slave raids left the country badly under-populated and dotted with abandoned villages.^[7]

Language

Kambari languages (Tsishingini, Cishingini, Tsikimba, Baangi and others), a language of the Kainji family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Kainji).^[1],[2]High confidence

Sources

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