SUMMARY

The Mambila (or Mambilla) people are an ethnic and ethno-linguistic community residing in Eastern Nigeria and Northwestern Cameroon. The community has been involved in non-state conflicts with other ethnic communities in Nigeria.

The Mambila speak the Mambila language and straddle the border between Nigeria and Cameroon, estimated to number around 100 000 in total. In Nigeria, the larger part inhabits the Mambila Plateau in Taraba State. The Mambila people are traditionally farmers. In the late 19th century, the area became a source of slaves for the Muslim Fulani empire, resulting in violent conflict and a major decrease in the Mambila population in the area. In the early 20th century, cattle grazers of the Fulani and other groups began to settle in the region, leading to competition over land and making the Mambila a minority group.

In conflicts with other ethnic groups the Mambila appear to not deploy a formally organised militia, but instead rely on more loosely organised groupings to carry out violence against their opponents.

The Mambila people have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.