13 Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group in Nigeria

Nigeria is a very diverse country when it comes to culture with a total of 371 ethnic groups. In addition, Nigeria has been on record to house almost 500 languages. Today, you will be learning about one of such groups. As such, this article will give you 13 Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group in Nigeria.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group

As dynamic in culture as Nigeria is, it would be unfair to leave out the small ethnic groups. The Tula people are a small ethnic group with a growing population as well as their own unique history, culture and belief.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group in Nigeria

You can learn interesting and also educational facts about the people of the Tula ethnic group in Nigeria from the following information;

1. State of Residence

The Tula people reside in Gombe state in Nigeria. Their location is 101 kilometres away from Gombe state and also 15 kilometres off the Adamawa-Yola highway. Thus, one can conclude that while residing in Gombe state, the people are not very far from Adamawa state.

2. Local Government Area

The people reside in Kaltungo local government area in Gombe state. Howbeit in recent times, you will find some of them in other parts of the state as well as the country.

3. Tula Kingdom is One of the Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group

Tula people already have a centralized government known as the Tula Kingdom. The kingdom is in three districts which are Yiri, Baule and also Wange. The Chiefdom is ruled by a Mai or king.

4. Neighbouring Languages

Different languages surround the Tula people in the Kaltungo local government area. They are Tangale, Kamo as well as Awak tribe.

5. History

The three districts of the Tula kingdom were first in disunity until they made peace in 2001. As such, the Tula chiefdom was created out of the Kaltungo chiefdom under the then-governor of Gombe state.

The first Mai or King of the new kingdom was Dr Kokiya Atare Buba. The kingdom consisted of 13 districts and the new Emir was presented his staff of office in 2003. As time went by until the present day, the rulers made efforts to develop the kingdom and upgrade it into a first-class chiefdom.

6. The Tula People is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group

The people of pre-colonial times were famous for being warriors. They fought battles with different tribes and one of such battles was with the people of Misau Emirate which is present-day Bauchi state. Also, they fought a war with a commander of the Sokoto Caliphate.

In all of these wars, the Tula people were never defeated as they emerged victorious. Also, it is worthy of note that the Tula people were among the few that Usman Dan Fodio, the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate could not conquer during his jihad. In recent times, the people have embraced peace and are also friendly with their neighbours.

7. Tourist Attractions of the People

Tula people made notable marks in history which is why they have a few tourist centres to their name. One such is the Tula battlefield at the Kaltungo local government area. It is considered a historical site as it was where the British attacked and conquered Tula’s people.

The attack was carried out under the command of Captain Carlyle. The cause of the war was that the people refused to live in peace with their neighbours which warranted the intervention of the colonial masters. Another tourist site of the Tula people is the Tula Cave. The cave has attracted a lot of visitors from both far and near.

8. Religion

The Tula people of pre-colonial times were mostly traditional worshippers. They had a great belief in divination and rituals. In recent times, there are a good number of Christians and Muslims among them.

9. Marriage; Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group

Marriage is a very important socio-cultural factor in the life of the Tula people. The payment of a dowry makes society accept the man as the woman’s husband and also as her head. A party is usually held to celebrate the event with the invitation of friends, families as well as distant relations.

10. Bridal Dance

When a young woman is given out for marriage among these people, a group of dancers accompany her to perform the bridal dance. The dance was not only for entertainment purposes but they also believed it to be a fertility dance.

Both the men and women will hold up piercing agricultural instruments and dance to phallic rhythms. They also tie leaves and rattle to the waist and the women make humping movements as they escort the bride to meet her suitors.

11. Settlement

The people of Tula live in a temperate region near mountainous rock formations. One such mountainous rock includes the Tula Cave. These rocks serve as a defence system of the people against invaders for a long time now.

12. Language is also Another Interesting Facts About the People of Tula Ethnic Group

The primary language that the people speak is the Tula language. Although most of the people might have learnt other languages along the line, it doesn’t negate their official language which is the Tula language.

13. People Cluster

The Tula people belong to the Adamawa-Ubangi people cluster. It is within the Sub-Saharan African affinity bloc. They are a growing population although they are not a very minor group.

Conclusion

These are some interesting facts that you should know about the Tula people of Nigeria. These facts will help you in further research and also help you to appreciate the Tula ethnic group more.

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