The Madi people originated from Magwi County in South Sudan, and the districts of Adjumani and Moyo in Uganda. The Acholi and Bari also originate from the same region. They are one people group among many in the Sudanese people group cluster (see below).

They speak Ma'di with the majority being bilingual in both Madi and English. Madi language is tonal which means the meanings of words depend on the pitch.

In Sudan, they worked in accounting, engineering, carpentry and masonry, crop and animal husbandry, social and humanitarian work, and education. However, many, despite having those experiences in Sudan, work in the food service, retail, hospitals, hotels, and airport security in the United States.

Many Madi are Christians with the majority being Anglicans.

Please note: The Sudanese people group cluster, numbering over 100,000, includes the Acholi, Anuak, Azande, Bari, Central Dinka, Jur Modo, Kaliko, Mabaan, Madi, Moru, Nuer, Shilluk, plus several other minority people groups. They are socially, culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse with each having their own unique people group identity.