The Koma tribe of Cameroon and Nigeria that buried twins and their mothers alive as custom

When the Koma people were recognised as Nigerians in 1961, along with the old provinces of northern Cameroon, many were said to have been hiding in their mountainous habitat for a very long period of time.

They occupy the Alantika Mountains in northern Adamawa State in Nigeria and in Northern Cameroon at the southwestern side (Faro National Park) of the border at Adamawa State.

Scores of Nigerians, after the discovery, described the Koma people as primitive and pagan, and even named the mountain on which they reside as Alantika which in Kanuri language means “Allah hasn’t yet arrived.”

This is because the Koma people still hold on to their ancient traditions and other religious practices despite being surrounded by Islamic societies.

What perhaps shocked everyone was the discovery that among the Komas, a twin birth is regarded as evil, and twins are considered abominable to the extent- that until recently- babies of multiple births used to be buried alive with the women who gave birth to them.

Though this act of twins killing is no more practised among Komas who dwell on the plains, historical accounts suggest that the ancient practice is still happening in some settlements on the hills.

Here’s what else you need to know about Koma, a settlement having an average population of about 400 people per village.