The Tera people are an ethnic group that make up the early inhabitants of the
Gombe area prior to the 18th century. Presently, Tera people are mostly found in the east of the present day
Gombe emirate
The Gombe Emirate (Fula: Lamorde Gombe 𞤤𞤢𞤥𞤮𞤪𞤣𞤫 𞤺𞤮𞤥𞤥𞤦𞤫) is a Nigerian traditional states, traditional state in Nigeria that roughly corresponds in area to the modern Gombe State.The current Emir of Gombe ...
.
History
The Tera people left
emenand moved into
Borno area around the
Chad basin
The Chad Basin is the largest endorheic basin in Africa, centered approximately on Lake Chad. It has no outlet to the sea and contains large areas of semi-arid desert and savanna. The drainage basin is approximately coterminous with the sedimenta ...
, where they settled for years but due to political crisis. The Tera people left the
Chad Basin
The Chad Basin is the largest endorheic basin in Africa, centered approximately on Lake Chad. It has no outlet to the sea and contains large areas of semi-arid desert and savanna. The drainage basin is approximately coterminous with the sedimenta ...
area with Jukun into
Gombe area, probably around 900-1000AD. More so, some groups of Tera speakers believed that they left
Chad Basin
The Chad Basin is the largest endorheic basin in Africa, centered approximately on Lake Chad. It has no outlet to the sea and contains large areas of semi-arid desert and savanna. The drainage basin is approximately coterminous with the sedimenta ...
when the
Kanuri's were transferring their capital from
Kanem to Ngarzargamu in ca.1484, under Mai Ali Gaji. After that, the Tera proceeded west to their present location, passing through
Babur and Bura areas before coming into
Gombe area
In addition, the Tera people were among the early occupants of
Gombe area before the establishment of
Gombe Emirate
The Gombe Emirate (Fula: Lamorde Gombe 𞤤𞤢𞤥𞤮𞤪𞤣𞤫 𞤺𞤮𞤥𞤥𞤦𞤫) is a Nigerian traditional states, traditional state in Nigeria that roughly corresponds in area to the modern Gombe State.The current Emir of Gombe ...
, they occupied settlements at the banks of River Gongola, such as Gwani, Hinna, Liji, Kalshingi, Zambuk, Bage, Kurba, Doho, Deba etc
Occupation
Traditionally, the Tera people are hunters and
farmers
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, raising living organisms for food or raw materials. The term usually applies to people who do some combination of raising field crops, orchards, vineyards, poultry, or other livestock. A farmer mi ...
.
Culture
The Tera people known for their tribal marks similar to that practised by other ethnic groups of
Gombe state
Gombe State (; ) is a States of Nigeria, state in North East (Nigeria), northeastern Nigeria, bordered to the north and northeast by the states of Borno State, Borno in the vicinity of Gongola River and Lake Dadin Kowa Dam, Dadin Kowa and Yobe S ...
. Also, they have similar artistic festivities with the
Bolewa People
The Bolewa people are an ethnic group located in the northern part of Gombe State. According to Bolewa tradition, their ancestors originated in Yemen. They migrated together with the invaders and originators of the kingdoms of Kanem and Songhai ...
, Waja and Jukuns neighbours. They also observed the same cult, particularly, believing in Gwando the rain-making god.
See also
*
Gombe State
Gombe State (; ) is a States of Nigeria, state in North East (Nigeria), northeastern Nigeria, bordered to the north and northeast by the states of Borno State, Borno in the vicinity of Gongola River and Lake Dadin Kowa Dam, Dadin Kowa and Yobe S ...
*
Gombe Emirate
The Gombe Emirate (Fula: Lamorde Gombe 𞤤𞤢𞤥𞤮𞤪𞤣𞤫 𞤺𞤮𞤥𞤥𞤦𞤫) is a Nigerian traditional states, traditional state in Nigeria that roughly corresponds in area to the modern Gombe State.The current Emir of Gombe ...
*
Gombe
Language
Tera people speak
Tera language
Tera is a Chadic dialect cluster spoken in north-eastern Nigeria in the north and eastern parts of Gombe State and Borno State. Blench (2006) believes Pidlimdi (Hinna) dialect is a separate language.
Varieties
Blench lists these language varie ...
.
References
{{Reflist
Gombe State
History of Africa by people