The Daba People of Cameroon and Nigeria

The Daba people are an ethnic group located on the border region of Cameroon and Nigeria.

Location and Demographics

• Primary Location: The Daba are mainly found in the Far North Region of Cameroon, particularly in the Mayo-Louti, Mayo-Tsanaga, and Diamaré departments. A smaller population also resides in neighboring Nigeria (specifically in one village in Adamawa State).
• Population: The estimated population of Daba speakers in Cameroon is around 24,000 to 39,000 people.
• Language: They speak the Daba language (also known as Dabba or Daba Kola), which belongs to the Afro-Asiatic language family, and is classified under the Chadic branch (Biu-Mandara A.7 group).

Way of Life and Culture

The Daba are often included among the Kirdi (a collective term for the non-Muslim peoples of northern Cameroon and Nigeria). Historically, due to their location, they have maintained their traditions by living in isolated, mountainous habitats which offered protection from external conflicts.

• Livelihood: Like many of the Kirdi people, the Daba are primarily farmers who cultivate crops such as:
  • Millet (often grown on mountain/hill slopes)
  • Peanuts
  • Maize
  • Melons, pumpkins, and beans
• Settlement: Their traditional villages were clustered around mountain peaks for protection. Today, their homes may consist of several round buildings made of mud-brick with thatched roofs, connected by woven fences. Traditionally, a homestead separates the living spaces: the husband has his room, and the wife lives in a separate hut.
• Arts and Crafts (General Kirdi Culture): Men’s work traditionally involves crafting leather, making baskets, spinning, weaving, and building, while women focus on making clay objects and domestic activities.
• Social Structure: In the broader region, social life often revolves around the extended family, and traditional structures are hierarchical, respecting elders and those in senior positions.

Religion

The Daba people’s religious background is mixed:

• Primary Religion (Cameroon): Sunni Islam is cited as the primary religion for a large portion of the Daba population in Cameroon.
• Traditional Beliefs: Like other Kirdi groups, some Daba maintain indigenous beliefs and “pagan practices,” especially those who remained in more isolated areas. These traditional beliefs often center on a local deity and a focus on the spirit world.

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Note on Other Meanings of “Daba”

It is important to note that the term “Daba” has other distinct cultural meanings:

1. Daba Religion (China): Daba is also the name of a native, primal religion of the Mosuo people in the Lake Lugu area on the border of Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces in China. The ritual specialists are also called daba (priests).
2. Yan Daba (Nigeria): ‘Yan Daba is a term used in Northern Nigeria to refer to urban gangs or political thugs, not an ethnic tribe. The name comes from the Hausa language.