Kotoko, Afade in Nigeria

People Name:	Kotoko, Afade
Country:	Nigeria
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	45,000
World Population:	52,400
Primary Language:	Afade
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	2.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.40 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Chadic
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Afade people live in the northern part of Cameroon, in an area a little south of Lake Chad. Their language area extends into Nigeria to the west.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditional rulers in the area are called sultans. Rulers of smaller regions are called blamas. The town of Afade is the hub of the language area with a few surrounding villages. A number of Afade speakers also live in the larger cities of Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad.

Linguistically, Afade is one of eight Kotoko languages, and Afade speakers refer to themselves ethnically as Kotoko. A Latin script writing system has been developed for Afade but it is not currently in use.

The Kotoko are traditionally fishermen and farmers, making use of the seasonal rivers that flow in the area to irrigate their fields. It can be very difficult to access the language area during rainy season (June-September).

What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam dominates as the primary religion, with a good deal of syncretism with animism. It is not known if there are any Afade Christians. At this point, because of the activity of the Boko Haram, all missionaries have been asked to leave the north of Cameroon. There was a Nigerian missionary reaching out to the Kotoko but he was killed by the Boko Haram in 2011.