ABSTRACT
One approach to the study of the warfare of a tribal people is to analyze the total range of types of armed combat in the society. The Higi, a tribal people numbering perhaps 120,000, inhabit the western flanks of the Mandaras, a rugged mountain range which separates Nigeria from Cameroun. The ancestor of the Mwecika Higi came from Gudur to Ghyi and then to Kafamiya. For the Higi, three types of armed combat — duels, staff fights, and feuds — occur within the political community while two types — raids and battles — take place between political communities. Mwecika Higi political organization comprises several officials and council members who play important roles in the procedures surrounding the five types of armed conflict. From a conceptual point of view, any type of armed combat within the political community can be considered internal conflict.
