The Nupe people constitute a significant ethnic group in Nigeria, primarily residing in Niger State, but also with notable populations in Kwara, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory. Their history is rich and complex, marked by ancient origins, the rise of a powerful kingdom, the influence of Islam, and significant interactions with neighboring communities and colonial powers.
Ancient Origins and Early Settlements
The Nupe people's history dates back thousands of years, with some accounts suggesting a presence in the Middle Niger and Niger-Benue confluence areas as far back as 9,000 B.C. or even 40,000 years ago. Before the emergence of a unified kingdom, the Nupe lived in various independent subgroups and agrarian/fishing communities along the Niger and Kaduna rivers. Prominent among these early sub-groups were the Beni, Kyadya (Kede), and Kusopa, each with their own socio-economic and political organizations. The Beni, for instance, formed a confederacy of city-states.
Oral traditions offer various accounts of their origins, including theories of migration from the Middle East (Arabia or Egypt/Nubia), though these may have been influenced by later Fulani narratives. What is clear is their long-standing presence and development in the fertile lands between the Niger and Kaduna rivers.
The Foundation of the Nupe Kingdom (15th - 16th Century)
The unified Nupe Kingdom is largely credited to Tsoede (also known as Edegi or Choede) in the 15th or early 16th century (circa 1531). According to tradition, Tsoede was an Igala prince from Idah, born to an Igala father and a Nupe mother. He is said to have fled the Igala court after a succession dispute and, using his charisma and perhaps mystical powers, unified the various Nupe villages and established a centralized political structure.
Tsoede is revered as a cultural hero who brought important skills and innovations to the Nupe, including canoe building and smithing, which were crucial for the riverine communities. He established his capital at Nupeko and expanded the kingdom through conquest, asserting its independence from Igala influence.
Growth and Influence (17th - 18th Century)
Under successive Etsu Nupe (kings), the kingdom grew in power and influence. The Nupe Kingdom's strategic location at the confluence of major rivers made it a significant center for trade and commerce, connecting the Hausa states to the north with the Yoruba and other groups to the south.
King Jibiri, who reigned around 1770, is noted as the first Nupe monarch to embrace Islam, marking a significant turning point in the religious landscape of the Nupe people. Islam began to influence their culture, governance, and daily life, though traditional beliefs and rituals persisted.
The kingdom reached its zenith under Etsu Ma'azu in the late 18th century (died 1818). During his reign, the Nupe Kingdom became a formidable military and economic power in central Nigeria.
The Fulani Jihad and the Bida Emirate (19th Century)
The early 19th century brought a period of internal political instability in the Nupe Kingdom, fueled by succession disputes after Etsu Ma'azu's death. This internal strife created an opportune moment for the rising power of the Fulani Jihad, led by Usman Dan Fodio.
Mallam Dendo (or Manko), a Fulani scholar and itinerant preacher, capitalized on these divisions. He gathered a following of Fulani and Hausa Muslims and gradually asserted control over much of Nupe land. While the Nupe Kingdom was ultimately incorporated into the Gwandu Emirate (part of the Sokoto Caliphate), the Fulani rulers integrated into Nupe society, leading to the establishment of the Bida Emirate as the new central authority.
Usman Zaki dan Malam Dendo (son of Mallam Dendo and a Nupe mother) became a pivotal figure. After periods of conflict and the Nupe civil war (1847-1856), Bida was established as the new capital in 1857, replacing the older capital of Rabba.
Under rulers like Masaba dan Malam Dendo (who had two reigns, 1841-1847 and 1859-1873), the Bida Emirate flourished. It became known for its military strength, its vibrant craftsmanship (brass work, weaving, leatherwork), and its extensive trade networks, including slave trading. This period also saw the construction of significant architectural landmarks in Bida.
British Colonial Rule (Late 19th - Mid 20th Century)
Towards the end of the 19th century, the Bida Emirate's power began to wane with the increasing presence of the British Royal Niger Company. Conflicts over trade and the issue of slavery led to military confrontations. In 1897, British forces defeated the Fulani army at Bida. By 1901, Bida was occupied by the British, and the Nupe Emirate was formally incorporated into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate in 1908, becoming known as the Bida Emirate under indirect rule.
Under colonial administration, the traditional structures were maintained but significantly influenced by British policies. The Etsu Nupe remained the traditional ruler, responsible for local administration and customs, but ultimately subject to the colonial government.
Post-Independence Era (1960 - Present)
After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the Nupe community, under the leadership of the Etsu Nupe, continued to play a vital role in the political and socio-cultural life of the nation. The Bida Emirate became a key traditional institution within Niger State.
Successive Etsu Nupe, notably Alhaji Umaru Sanda Ndayako (1975-2003) and the current His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar CFR (since 2003), have focused on modern development while preserving Nupe culture and fostering peace and unity.
Cultural Identity and Legacy
The Nupe people are known for:
- Language: They speak the Nupe language, belonging to the Nupoid group within the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
- Craftsmanship: They are renowned for their intricate crafts, including brass and copper work, glass beads, traditional weaving, leatherwork, and mat making. Bida remains a major center for these crafts.
- Agriculture: They are primarily agrarian, with fertile lands supporting the cultivation of staple crops like millet, sorghum, yams, and particularly rice, especially in the fadamas (floodplains) of the Niger and Kaduna rivers.
- Religion: Predominantly Muslim, with some Christian communities and remnants of indigenous religious practices.
- Social Structure: Organized into villages and towns, governed by chiefs and councils, under the paramount authority of the Etsu Nupe.
- Festivals: Cultural festivals like the Patigi Regata and Bariki celebrations in Bida are important events that showcase Nupe traditions.
The Nupe community, through the Bida Emirate and other traditional leadership structures, continues to be a vibrant and influential cultural and social force in Nigeria, navigating the balance between historical heritage and modern societal demands.