🇳🇬 Language

Margi

Evidence: Well documented

Margi is a language spoken in Madagali and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State, according to Roger Blench's Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020), which classifies it as Chadic (Biu–Mandara A: Bura–Higi major group, Bura group).

Key facts
Type
Language
Belongs to
Biu–Mandara
Glottocode
marg1265
Overview

Margi is a language spoken in Madagali and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State, according to Roger Blench's Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020), which classifies it as Chadic (Biu–Mandara A: Bura–Higi major group, Bura group). Other names include Marghi, Margyi, Màrgí. The Atlas also names Mubi LGA, since divided into Mubi North and Mubi South. It is also spoken in Askira–Uba and Damboa LGAs of Borno State. The Atlas cites speaker figures of 135,000 (1955) and 200,000 (UBS 1987), both for Margi, Margi South and Putai together. Its Central dialects include Margi babal ('Margi of the Plain', around Lasa) and Margi Dzərŋu (around Gulak), with Gwàrà, Mə̀lgwí and Wúrgà. A primer appeared in 1941, Scripture portions from 1940 and the New Testament in 1984. Glottolog lists it as Marghi Central.

Connections
Other names
  • Marghi · spelling variant
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 1.A: alternate spelling of the name.
  • Màrgí · endonym
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 1.B: the speakers' own name for the language.
  • Margyi · spelling variant
    Blench's Atlas (2020), field 1.A: alternate spelling of the name.
Sources
  1. An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (2020 edition) — Roger Blench, Kay Williamson Educational Foundation / McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, 2020 · Academic source · link (accessed 24 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Margi: location, classification, other names, speakers
  2. Glottolog language index (resourcemap) — Glottolog · Academic source · link (accessed 26 Sep 2026)
    Supports: Glottocode marg1265
How evidence is graded
  • Verified: Supported by an official source, or by two or more independent sources that agree.
  • Well documented: Supported by credible sources, but not yet independently confirmed.
  • Reported: Found in a credible source; further corroboration is welcome.
  • Needs corroboration: The evidence is thin or incomplete; more sources are being sought.
  • Disputed: Credible sources or community accounts disagree; the differing accounts are noted.
  • Uncertain: There is not yet enough information to classify this responsibly.

Sources are marked official, academic, reference, community or general web. Sources that copy each other count as one. Oral traditions are recorded as traditions, not as proven fact.

Archive ID: LANG-MARGI · Last updated 30 September 2026. Spotted an error or have a source to add? Tell us.

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