The mind goes back to prehistoric days when there’s a mention of naked people.
According to historical accounts, the use of clothing to cover the body has been one of the changes that marked the end of the Neolithic and the beginning of civilization.
The term Neolithic marked the transition in human history from small, nomadic bands of hunter-gatherers to larger, agricultural settlements and early civilization.
The Neolithic Revolution started around 10,000 B.C. in the Fertile Crescent, a boomerang-shaped region of the Middle East where
humans first took up farming. Civilizations and cities grew out of the innovations of the Neolithic Revolution.
But several decades since the emergence of civilization that ushered in the use of clothing to cover one’s nakedness some tribes proudly uphold the old ways.
This article, therefore, looks at the proud nakedness tribes of Nigeria who maintained their way of life despite the emergence of civilization.
KAMBARI PEOPLE
They are located in Birnin Amina and Acer in Nigeria’s Niger state.
Forgotten by infrastructural development,
Kambari people pride themselves on being free of civilization and independent of government support.
To the outside world, these are forgotten people but to the unclad people inhabiting Birni Amina and Acer communities, their reclusive nature gives them peace and happiness, according to reports.
The two communities, according to reports hold resolutely to their culture and tradition to an extent that they insist nothing would change their ways of life.
‘Moving around naked or half-naked is our culture and we don’t care what people say about us,’ the Maiunguwa (Chief) said.
KOMA PEOPLE
They were recognized as Nigerians in 1961 along with the old provinces of northern Cameroon.
They occupy th
e Alantika Mountains in northern Adamawa State in Nigeria and Northern Cameroon at the southwestern side (Faro National Park) of the border at Adamawa State.
They were said to be hiding in mountainous habitat for a very long period before their discovery.
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.’
That is because the Koma people still hold on to their ancient traditions and other religious practices despite being surrounded by Islamic societies.
JIBU PEOPLE
They were reportedly discovered by a Nigerian journalist named Stephen Osu.
A good number of them still dre
ss in the manner of…the Biblical Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden – stark naked — with fresh leaves for a little covering, wrote Osu at the time he discovered them.
The Jibu people are said to be the descendants of the Kwarafa Kingdom who lived for centuries in nine communities scattered around on the mountains in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to historical accounts, they lived together with their fellow brothers in the kingdom until about 1807 when Fulani Jihadists invaded the kingdom.
They were said to have run to the mountain top where they now live and are completely cut off from other tribes, and by extension the whole world.
