The Kilba people, also known as Həba, are an ethnic group in the Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria (formerly part of Gongola State).
History
Historically, the Həba lived in large clan-based mountain communities such as:
Pella, Gwaja, Hong, Kulinyi, Garaha, Bangshika, Miljili, Gaya-jaba, Gaya-maki, Gaya-skalmi, Gaya-gou, Gaya Fa'a, Gaya Jabba, Ndlang, Hyama, Kinking, Motaku, Kwapor, Za, and Zivi — all in today's Hong Local Government Area.
Each mountain community was ruled by a Təl kəra ma (King of the mountain community).
- Təl means King, and
- Kəra ma means mountain top.
A Təl was known by his clan name and served as both secular and religious ruler.
Each Təl had a cabinet, typically composed of the Yaduma, Midala, Bira'ol, Kadagimi, Kadala, Dzarma, and Batari, with slight variation by community.
The Həba were known for: - A formidable military - Distinctive cultural practices - Strong clan unity
The 18th-century German explorer Dr. Henry Barth encountered the Höba and described them as articulate and well-organized.
Political Structure
A leader known as Furkudəl was working to unify the various mountain communities under one central government.
Dr. Barth described the Həba as a "well-organized pagan kingdom second to none in Western Sudan", comparing its structure to ancient Egypt or a modern European kingdom.
Key features of the political system included: - Governors (Yirmas and Shalls) appointed from the royal family. - Monthly reports sent to the king. - The Yirma (from Udəng, now Udong) was the highest governor.
The government was divided into: - Territorial Administration – Managed by the Yirma and Shalls - Central Administration – Managed by the Təl's cabinet
Təl’s Cabinet Members and Their Roles
- Yaduma: Prime Minister and Chief Adviser
- Bira'ol: Assistant Prime Minister
- Midala: Defence Minister and War Commander
- Kadala: Inspector General of Police
- Dzarma: Minister in charge of the Royal Stable
- Batari: Head of the Royal Ward
- Kadagimi: Palace Courtier
Həba and the Fulanis
In the 19th century, during the period of the Fulani jihads, numerous attempts were made to conquer the Həba, but they were never defeated.
Though warlike, the Həba never consolidated their victories; instead, they focused on raids and seizures of Fulani assets. When conquest proved impossible, a truce was established, especially on market days at Pella and