Plateau · Nigeria’s peoples

Mada

The Mada live in northern Nasarawa State, centred on Akwanga, which is predominantly Mada speaking.

At a glance

Where do the Mada people live?: Their homeland is in Akwanga and Kokona in Nasarawa State and Sanga in Kaduna State, across 3 local government areas.
What language do the Mada speak?: Mada, a language of the Plateau family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Benue-Congo Plateau).

Overview

The Mada live in northern Nasarawa State, centred on Akwanga, which is predominantly Mada speaking. Mada is a Plateau language related to Ninzo and Rukuba.^[2],[1]High confidence

Where the Mada 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.

Nasarawa
- Akwanga(Homeland)
- Kokona(Homeland)
- Doma(Smaller presence)
- Keffi(Smaller presence)
- Lafia(Smaller presence)
- Obi(Smaller presence)
Kaduna
- Sanga(Homeland)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Akwanga

Akwanga, Nasarawa State.^[2]High confidence

The Mada centre, predominantly Mada-speaking.^[2]

Language

Mada, a language of the Plateau family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Benue-Congo Plateau). ISO 639-3: mda.^[1]High confidence

Sources

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