Mafa people

The Mafa (also Matakam ) are an ethnic group from West Africa. Primary inhabit the north of Cameroon and the north-east of Nigeria; Mandara Mountains, they represent the largest ethnic group. Approximately 200,000 people consider themselves Mafa. They speak Mafa, a variant of Chad language.

It is assumed that the Mafa have taken refuge in the Mandara Mountains of persecution by the Fulani; but there are also indications that they might inhabit this area for some time. Of the Fulani is also the foreign name Matakam.