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Mada is a regionally important language spoken in Nasarawa and southern Kaduna States of Middle Belt, Nigeria, with many dialects. It is a highly tonal language. A translation of the New Testament into the language was finished in 1999. The Nunku dialect has been identified to be a dialect of Mada rather than of Gbantu.

The Mada people are the second most populated tribe in Nasarawa state, mostly populating Akwanga and Kokona local governments. Possible archaeological history suggests that they may be descendants of the Nok civilization. They are closely related to the Ninzo people, as well as to the Gbantu people. Their languages are believed to be descended from the Proto-Plateau language.

References

1. Mada at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
2. Blench, Roger. "A brief history of Mada literacy, and the creation of a Mada dictionary".

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