Festival	Locality	Ethnic Group	Month	Duration	LGA	Significance
ZHITA	BAZZA	HIGGI	AUG-SEPT	3 DAYS	MICHIKA	Initiation festival
YAWLE	KWABBAPALE	HIGGI	AUGUST	3 DAYS	MICHIKA	Marking harvest season.
DUKWA	GULAK SHUWA PALAM & MILDU	MARGHI	JULY/AUG	3 DAYS	MADAGALI	Initiation of young to adulthood among Medugu people
YAWAL	GULAK SHUWA PALAM & MILDU	MARGHI	JUNE/JULY	3 DAYS	MADAGALI	Festival to offer sacrifice to Mambul (spirits of the dead) and circumcision period.
VUNON	FARAI	BWATIYE & MBULA	MAY	3 DAYS	DEMSA	To mark the beginning of rainy season and offering of prayer to Nzeanzo the deity for good health and bumper harvest. The festival is marked with wrestling
MBA-PUR	DEMSA	MBULA	APRIL	3 DAYS	DEMSA	Warrior festival commemorating the death of their heroes and assuring their Warlord of their preparedness in case of any external attack.
HONO	SONG/GIREI	YUNGUR	NOV/DEC	1 DAY	SONG/ GIREI	Initiation festival to adulthood.
KWAYFA	GA’ANDA	GA’ANDA	AUG/SEPT.	2 DAY	GOMBI	Harvest festival
KHOMBALTA	GA’ANDA/HADI	HONA FULANI	MAR/APRIL	1 DAY	GOMBI	Thanksgiving and Initiation festival.
KLASHE SHATIN	CHAMBA AND MUMUYE		AUG/SEPT	7 DAY	JADA	JADA
POODEH	NASSARAWO	VERRE IN NASSARAWO	NOV/DEC	2 DAY	FUFORE	Circumcision rites.
MBELE/RIVADU	RIBADU	BWATIYE	NOV/DEC	1 DAY	FUFORE	Fishing festival
SIMALAMA	GUYUK	LUNGUDA	OCTOBER	3 DAY	GUYUK	Celebration to mark the end of rainy season.
IMANDIRZA ZINNA	GYALLA	MUCHALA	NOV/DEC	3 DAY	MUBI NORTH	Initiation festival
WANGIRWA	MUBI	GUDE	OCT/NOV	1 DAY	MUBI SOUTH	Festival to commemorate bumper harvest.
MBA MBA	OLD VILLAGE MADAGALI	KILBA MARGHI	MAR/APRIL	7 DAY	HONG MADAGALI	Initiation festival to adulthood.
TIWA	HONG	KILBA	MAR/APRIL	120 DAY	HONG	Funeral festival associated with libation, incantation and sacrifice to ancestors, drumming, singing and dancing.
ALALILE	NZANYI	NZANYI		1 DAY	MAIHA	Initiation rite of children to adulthood.
PHUKI	KUDAKU AND GOROBI	YANDANG	SEPT	1 DAY	M/BELWA	Harvest and thanksgiving festival.
MENJAULI	SHELLENG	KANAKURU	OCTOBER	1 DAY	SHELLENG	Festival to mark the end of rainy season.
LAMUSHI	LIBBO	LIBBO	JULY	1 DAY	SHELLENG	Initiation for males and females
VULMA	GELLA	GUDE	AUGUST	2 DAYS	MUBI SOUTH	manhood showing different age group
DANBI	MIJULU	FALI	AUGUST	1 DAY	MUBI	Festival to mark first initiation to manhood
JANDA/SUMANTA	GA’ANDA	GA’ANDA	JUNE	2 DAYS	GOMBI	Preparation for farming
SHADI	GOMBI	FULANI	JUNE	7 DAYS	YOLA	Engagement or showing manhood.
NJUWA	RUGANGE	BWATIYE	MARCH	2 DAYS	YOLA	Annual fishing festival
NGPALAKIYIE/ SHARO	NJOBOLI	BWATIYE FULANI	MAY/JUNE	14 DAYS	YOLA	Circumcision festival and initiation to adulthood.
SORRO	YOLA	FULANI	FEBRUARY	1 DAY	YOLA	Festival to mark the manhood
REMNOL	NJOBOLI	FULANI	DECEMBER	1 DAY	YOLA	Circumcision festival
KILISA	YOLA	FULANI		1 DAY	YOLA	Festival of entertainment of important dignitaries visiting the emirate council.
YINAGU	GULAK	MARGI	APRIL	2 DAYS	MADAGALI	Fishing festival
MBA BENG	TAMBO	MBULA	OCT/DEC		GIREI	Harvest and thanksgiving
ZOKU	SUKUR	SUKUR	DEC	2 DAYS	MADAGALI	Festival to commensurate bumper harvest
JABBA	DEMSA	BILLE	DEC	3 DAYS	DEMSA	Circumcision
NGRAH LAKIYE	FUFORE	BAGALE	JUNE	3 DAYS	FUFORE	Circumcision
MBA-TAMBAL	BWAZZA	BARE	APRIL	7 DAYS	DEMSA	Protection of land people
MBA-ZONHWO	BWAZZA	BARE	OCTOBER	7 DAYS	DEMSA	Good harvest and protection of people.
HERE-YAWETTI	GOROBI	YANDANG	MAY	1ST Saturday	M/BELWA	Reward the spirit of ancestors
DZAVA-DAFA	SUKUR/HILDI	SUKUR	APRIL/MAY			Appreciation to lead bumper harvest
WAGURWA	NZANYI	NZANYI	FEB/MAR	3 DAYS	MAIHA	Initiation rite to adulthood
KADYAGA	NUMAN	BACHAMA	APRIL	1 DAY	NUMAN	Manhood
WUROKAKAI	LAMURDE	BACHAMA	MARCH	1 DAY	LAMURDE	Manhood
KWATTE	LAMURDE	BACHAMA	APRIL/MAY	3 DAYS	LAMURDE	Marking land preparation.

Adamawa is a state in Nigeria. It is diverse with many ethnic nationalities. Those nationalities have various ways of life.

The state capital and largest city is Yola.

Adamawa is one of the most ethnically diverse in Nigeria, with over 100 indigenous groups, such as the Mumuye, Bwatiye, Kilba, Marghi, and many others.

The state is rich in cultural heritage, which reflects in its history, dances, dress patterns, craftsmanship, music, and hospitality.

You’ll be thrilled at the nutritious foods, arts, and festivals.

You can interact with community leaders, natives and early/modern farmers, cattle rearers.

Adamawa State was created on 27th August, 1991. It is located in the North Eastern part of the country. Prior to its creation in 1991, it was part of the North Eastern State from 1967 to February 1976 and Gongola State 1976 – 1991.

The State shares border with Gombe State to the North, and Borno State to the North East, while to the West it is bordered with Taraba State as well as the Republic of Cameroon to the East.

Adamawa Local Governments and their headquarters

The 21 Local Government Areas in Adamawa State and their headquarters are:

LGA	Headquarters
Demsa	Demsa
Fufore	Fufore
Ganye	Ganye
Girei	Girei
Gombi	Gombi
Guyuk	Guyuk
Hong	Hong
Jada	Jada
Lamurde	Lamurde
Madagali	Madagali
Maiha	Maiha
Mayo-Belwa	Mayo-Belwa
Michika	Michika
Mubi North	Mubi
Mubi South	Gella
Numan	Numan
Song	Song
Shelleng	Shelleng
Toungo	Toungo
Yola North	Jimeta
Yola South	Yola

Adamawa State has a total area of 39,742.12 square kilometers. This is about 4.4 percent of the land area of Nigeria. The 2005 projected population of the State is 3,106,585, giving population density of 68 persons per square kilometer.
The State lies between 8O0 N and 11N and longitude 11.50 and 13.50 E. The State generally is characterized by many rivers; the major one is the River Benue whose source is from the highlands of the Cameroon and flows southwards to join the River Niger.

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

Adamawa State is blessed with abundant human and material resources, readily at the disposal of every investor to harness. The state has a vast fertile land suitable for farming and other economic activities.

SOLID MINERALS FOUND IN ADAMAWA STATE

Solid minerals found in the state include: Feldspars, Flourspar, Marble, Gypsum, Magnesite, Tantalite, Rock crystal, Laterites, Topas, Sandstones, Mercury, Glass Sand, Zircon, Spinel, Emerald, Graphite, Beryil, Tourmaline, Mica, Iron ore, Clay Minerals, Diatomite, Coal, Garnet, Aquamarine, Gold Dust, Zoisite, Cassaterite, Agates, Amethyst Chalcopyrite, Kaolin, Limestone, Chalcedeny, Onyx, Barytes, Zinc, Tin, Uranium, Quartz, Mica, Diamond, Wolframite, Calumbite, Platinum, Ruby etc. These minerals are also found in Commercial quantity.

STAPLE FOOD

Maize, Millet, Sorghum, Yam, Rice, Beans. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS Maize, Millet, Cassava, Sorghum, Yam, Groundnuts, Rice, Cotton, Cassava, Cattle, Sugar Cane, Beans, Sweet Potato.

Some major market days in Adamawa

DAY	TOWNS	COMMONDITIES AVAILABLE
Sunday	Dong, Gereng, Kiri, M/Farang, Song, Fufore, Kojoli, Michika, Shuwa, Muva, Kala’a, Gella.	Yam, Rice, Fish (Smoked and Fresh Livestock) etc Potash, Hides & Skins.
Monday	Hong, Jada, Muchala, Ghumchi, Mayo Bani, Gyawana Chikila	Yam, Beans, Groundnuts, Maize, Cassava, Sugar Cane, Mangoes etc.
Tuesday	Borrong, Labondo, Bazza, Nassarawo Jereng Daksami, Garkida	Fish (smoked and fresh), pigs, beans, bananas, cassava, livestock & grains.
Wednesday	Ngurore, Mubi, Konkol, Banjiram, Michika, Pella, Gulak, Loko, Mbulo	Livestock, hides ans skin, yam, maize, millet, Irish Potatoes, smoked fish, potash.

CLIMATE

The climate of the State is characterized by wet season from April to October, while the dry season lasts from November to March.

The average rainfall for the State is 79mm in the Northern parts and 197mm in the Southern parts. The wettest months are August and September. The mean annual temperature is around 28 degrees centigrade. There is also the harmattan period when the dusty – laden North – Easterly trade winds from the Sahara – Desert have a marked effect on the State climate. The period is cold and dry with an average temperature of 15.20C and 39.70 maximum.

VEGETATION

There are two notable vegetational zones in the State; the Sub-Sudan Zone and the Northern Guinea Savannah Zone. The Sudan Zone is marked by short grasses and short trees, commonly found in the Northern parts of the State. In the South, the vegetation is thick WITH tall grasses and trees.

COMMUNICATION

Adamawa State has a modern system of communication looking with other parts of the Country, as well as the outside world through the telephone and other telecommunication services like the global system for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM), Internet etc.

Telecommunication operators in the State are putting more efforts to extend their coverage in other parts of the State which are not covered by their services.

There are over 80 ethnic groups found in Adamawa State, each with its distinct historical and cultural heritage yet understanding and accommodating each other. Some of the ethnic groups include: Chamba, Mumuye, Dabanci, Dangsa, Higgi, Nyandang, Sukur, Margi, Gudu, Hona, Mboi, Ga’anda, Yungur, Bwatiye, Mbula, Bala, Bille, Sate, Koma, Bura, Lala, Gwaba, Njanyi, Fali, Gude, Holma, Lunguda, Kanakuru, Jen, Matakam, Laka, Wula, Lilba, Kwah, Waja, Tambo, Libo Mwama, Kilba, Viengo and others.

ETHNIC/SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS IN ADAMAWA STATE

There are quite a number of ethnic organizations in the State. The groups are made up of people with the same ethnic background and are also cultural in orientation. The major organizations found in the State include the Igbo Community, Yoruba Community, Igala Welfare Association, Urhobo Prograssive Union, Edo Union, Isoko Union, Kaduna State Development Association etc. Social and development clubs are also found in the State; Zumunci Social Club, Unity Social Club, the Gamzaki; Rotaract Club and many more are all found in the State.

RELIGION

There are two major religions in the State; Christianity and Islam.

SOME TRADITIONAL RULERS

NAME	TITLE	STATUS
Dr Muhammamdu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa	Lamido Adamawa	First Class
Alh. Abubakar Isa Ahmadu CFR	Emir of Mubi	First Class
Homun Asaph Zadok	Hama Bachama	First Class
Alh. Umaru A. Sanda OON	Gangwari Ganye	First Class
Homun Alhamdu Gladstone Teneke MFR	Hama Batta	First Class
Amna Abdullahi K.D. Managina	Amna Shelleng	First Class
Kwande Wilfred K. Kimde	Kwandi Nunguriya	First Class
Murum Joram J. Fwa	Murum Mbula	First Class

MAJOR TOWNS

Yola, Numan, Mubi, Gombi, Ganye, Michika.

AGRICULTURE

Farming is a major occupation. Majority of the people in Adamawa State are farmers.

Cattle rearing are also an occupation, while village communities living on the banks of Rivers Gongola and Benue and their tributaries in the State engage in fishing and farming.