Higgi

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Higgi is a derogatory word which means grasshopper. dakwa elders say it is an insult. The dakwa are originally called Tsekumo while dakwa is of Nkafa dialect from Ndakwe. Literally cul-de-sac. Their other name Bazza is of Margi orgin pazza. tribe and language from Local Government Area in Adamawa State of Nigeria. The language has 2 dialects with two major dialects of Aghummu and Kamo. However, this assertion is a fallacy as the Ndakwa people has no close association with the people of Mayobelwa. Although the people of the dialects are mixed, higgi are predominantly in Bazza South and Madzi West State Development Areas, as claimed by the group clamoring for kamwe. In the history of Nigeria the only tribe found and gazetted in Michika local government area are the Highi people. and the latter in Dakota North and Tsekumo Central Development Areas. Minor dialects are in various localities across the Development Areas. A significant number of Bazza Higgis people live in other parts of Nigeria and beyond (diaspora). In cosmopolitan cities and towns in Michika Local Government Area, Higgis people live with members of other tribes, Such as the Marghi’s, Agra and Fulani.

The word Highi is derogatory as claimed by the Nkaffa dialect. There has never been any substantive record or written documents to back up this claim. The people of Bazza have never for once rejected the name Highi and no person or group from Bazza ever opted for kamwe as to how to be addressed as a people. The name 'Kamwe' address the Nkaffa dialect meaning people of the mountain and not brotherhood brother. This name has, since its inception been rejected by majority of the people in Michika as it is of Nkafa origin and can lead to marginalization of other 6 dialects of the Higgi tribe. Other dialects like Dakwa will translate 'mountain dwellers' as A'ghumo and it is same with the remaining dialects. From generations to generation there has never been kamwe as a tribe or group of persons known in the history of Michika and Nigeria as a whole. Even before independence of Nigeria, the original gazette till this day is Highi. The Highi tribe of Michika live side by side with the Marghi people. Attempts were made to find out if actually the name ‘Highi’ was imposed on the people bY the Marghi speaking group, but even to them it was a story or fabrication insinuated by the Nkaffa people that wants relevance to subdue the other dialects in Michika local government area. It will be of interest to note that, the kamwe name came up and became an issue of debate since 2005. The Highi people were the second largest ethnic group in the north eastern region going by 1961 senses. All those that occupied high positions in government never registered themselves as kamwe, but Highi, notably: 1. Late Honorable Marmoni Lawan Bazza( former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia 2. Umaru Jaringol (former commissioner for information North eastern State) 3. Barrister David Barau ( former Deputy Governor Gongola State) 4. His Excellency retired general Buba Marwa 2 times Governor Borno and Lagos states. 5. His Excellency late Abubakar Sale Michika former executive Governor Adamawa State 6. His Excellency Mr Boni Haruna former executive Governor Adamawa State 7. Honorable Binta Masi Garba first female senator Adamawa nort

To be precise, the name kamwe is apolitical in nature which came up as far back as 1982 from Ahmadu Bello university Zaria campus by some few students from Michika local government area. It's worth nothing that, it is only the Nkaffa sects that answer or pronounce kamwe. The majority of the other dialects do not e.g Kafwe pronunciation is ka’ghummo, likewise the people of Zah district. There has never been a referendum where Highi people came together to agree or disagree on either use Highi or kamwe. There was no official gazette about kamwe anywhere in the whole of Nigeria. The question now is, we were from Ethiopia and by what name were we traced and addressed then, if Kamwe is surfacing now?


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