Tangale people explained

The Tangale people are one of the ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria, situated in Gombe State. The Tangale people that majorly speak Tangale got their name from “Tangal”, a chief of Billiri, in the present day Gombe state of Nigeria. It is believed that Tangal was instrumental in organizing the clans under his leadership and because of this, the people under him were referred to as the Tangale (as it was customary in many African communities to name a land or ethnic group after their leader).

History of settlement

The Tangale people are migrants from Yemen through Egypt and then to the present Borno State.[1] However, due to constant inter-tribal conflicts, they had to keep migrating from one place to another. Eventually, they settled in at least seven different locations before they came to their presently known settlement, four Local Government Areas of Gombe State; Akko, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom. A list of some of those places they settled at include; SanumKude (also known as Big San) near Ngazargamu and Kupto. Kupto was like the Biblical ‘Corinth’; a place where different tribes and groups came together to co-exist and co-habit. At Kupto, the Tangale’s lived together with the Lunguda, Kare-Kare, Tera, Waja, Bolewa, Songom and other neighbouring tribes. It was from Kupto that they further migrated to find a new shelter; mostly mountainous areas which most felt were safer from the frequent raids and attacks they encountered from marauders.[2]

Culture

Adult males were supposed to show their manhood by fighting, and as proof of their courage, they were required to bring the heads of the enemy they had murdered with them upon returning from the battleground. These combat trophies were given to a priest, who placed them under the family's holy tree.[3] [4]

Mai Tangale

Since the year 1295 until 2021, the Tangale people have had 15 rulers called Mai Tangle governing the affairs of their land.

SNNAMEPERIOD OF REIGNDURATION ON THRONE
1Mai Kiu (Giu)1295 – 136065 Years
2Mai Tangal1360 – 144585 Years
3Mai Somboro1445 – 150560 Years
4Mai Akwi1525 – 160580 Years
5Mai Asonong1605 – 168075 Years
XNo Ruler1680 – 170020 Years
6Mai Wuni1700 – 178080 Years
7Mai Mela1780 – 183050 Years
8Mai Dula1830 – 185020 Years
9Mai Sheru I1850 – 186515 Years
10Mai Bilam1865 – 188823 Years
11Mai Wana1888 – 191224 Years
12Mai Yamba Palpalu1912 – 195139 Years
13Mai Iliyasu Maiyamba1951 – 198635 Years
14Mai Muhammadu Iliyasu Maiyamba1986 – 199610 Years
XNo Ruler1996 – 20015 Years
15Mai Abdu Buba Maisheru II2001 – 202120 Years
After the demise of Mai Abdu Buba Maisheru II, the Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state appointed the current Mai Tangle, Malam Danladi Sanusi-Maiyamba.[5]

Sensing the Governor was going to announce Malam Sanusi, the Tangale people took to the street to oppose the move. Aside the Tangale people, other bodies like the Middle-Belt Forum have asked the Governor to respect the choice of the people, but Gov. Inuwa went ahead and announced his choice. However, the Tangale people have since then refused to recognise Malam Sanusi as their royal head. Their grievance is hung on the fact that he was not their choice.

During the election for successor to Maisheru II by the Tangale kingmakers, only three out of 18 contestants secured votes; Dr. Musa Idris Maiyamba got 5 votes, Malam Ahmed Magaji got 2 votes, and Malam Danladi Sanusi also 2 votes.

Three years in office, Malam Danladi has not been able to mobilize support, because the people have continually opposed him - they maintain their position of not recognising him as their ruler.

Languages

The native language of Tangale Tribe is Tangale but due to the dominance of Hausa language in the Northern Nigeria, most of them can also speak Hausa fluently.

Food

The Tangale people food are Dipo, kumbam, Shaka kodo, Ronjo, kar bayo", prepared with a special type of daddawa (beanscake); "ed mammu"; "kwaksak" and "Shinga"[6]

Religions

The Tangale people were mostly idol/ Spirit worshipers before the advent of colonial rule. They have spirits like Nanamudo (Mother of Death), and Yamba (the goddess of creation).[7] Present-day Tangale people have deserted their traditional idol worship with Christianity as the major religion in Tangale land and a high percentage of Muslims.[8]

Festivals

Notes and References

  1. Maina . Joy Joshua . 2013-09-01 . Uncomfortable prototypes: Rethinking socio-cultural factors for the design of public housing in Billiri, north east Nigeria . Frontiers of Architectural Research . en . 2 . 3 . 310–321 . 10.1016/j.foar.2013.04.004 . 2095-2635. free .
  2. Web site: Aluwong . Jeremiah . 2018-11-18 . Tribes in Nigeria: The Tangale Tribe • Connect Nigeria . 2022-03-23 . Connect Nigeria . en-GB.
  3. Web site: Sharia and control over territory: conflicts between 'settlers' and 'indigenes' in Nigeria . 2022-03-24 .
  4. Harnischfeger . Johannes . Tangale History and Culture .
  5. Web site: 2021-03-03 . Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya appoints new Mai Tangale . 2022-03-23 . Vanguard News . en-US.
  6. Web site: Ago . Jerryperiin #history • 4 Years . 2018-06-01 . THE TANGALE PEOPLE OF KALTUNGO "A Proud Heritage" . 2022-03-24 . Steemit . en.
  7. Ugochukwu . Françoise . 2005-12-15 . JUNGRAITHMAYR, Herrmann, 2002, Sindi Tangale Folktales (Kaltungo, Northeastern Nigeria) . Journal des Africanistes . 75–2 . 155–156 . 10.4000/africanistes.158 . 0399-0346.
  8. Web site: 2021-02-28 . Mai Tangale: How selection of traditional ruler shattered peace in Gombe community . 2022-03-23 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  9. Web site: Dailytrust News, Sports and Business, Politics Dailytrust . 2022-03-24 . Daily Trust . en.
  10. Web site: 2021-12-03 . Tangale Community To Revive Bai 'Dog Meat' Eating Carnival . 2022-08-26 . Independent Newspaper Nigeria . en-GB.
  11. Web site: 2021-12-01 . Nigeria: Tangale Dog Festival, Aka 'Bai' Carnival/ Palam Tangle Revamps . 2022-03-24 . Africa Prime News . en-GB.
  12. Web site: 19,000 sign petition against Tangale dog consumption carnival in Gombe . 31 December 2022 .