The Nupe people are an ethnic group located primarily in the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria. The people are also called ‘’Tapa’’ by the Yoruba people as they have a history with them. The people are the dominant group in Niger state, an important minority in Kwara State and also in Kogi State. There are about 3.5 million Nupes in Niger State and other parts of the country. The Nupe language is widely spoken here and part of West Midlands of England. The people are primarily Muslims, with a few Christians and followers of African Traditional Religion. The people are led by several rulers out of which the Etsu Nupe is one. The people are divided into different subgroups, including Batau, Kyedye, Eghagi, Ebe and Benu along with several others that speak related languages.
BRIEF HISTORY
The Nupe trace their origin to Tsoede who fled the court of Idah and established a loose confederation town along the Niger in the 15th century. The proximity of Nupe to the Yoruba Igbomina people in the south and to the Yoruba Oyo people in the southwest led to a cross-fertilization of cultural influence through trade and conflicts over the centuries. The people were converted to Islam at the end of the eighteenth century by Mallam Dendo, a wandering preacher, and were incorporated into the Fulani Empire established by the Jihad led by Usman Dan Fodio after 1806.
MAJOR OCCUPATION
Most of the people are farmers which cultivate staple foods such as millet, guinea-corn, yams, rice, and groundnut. Cassava, maize and sweet potatoes are also grown in their lands. The people are also traders as they export rice, kola nuts, smoked fish, palm kernels, shea nuts, shea butter, groundnuts, and crafts items to other parts of Nigeria.
CULTURE AND TRADITION
The Nupe people have various traditions. Much of their culture was diluted by the Usman Dan Fodio jihad of the 19th century, but they still hold on to some of their culture which is very similar to that of ancient Egypt.
Many Nupes often have tribal scars on their faces (similar to an old Yoruba tradition), some to identify their prestige and the family to which they belong as well as for protection. They also use jewelry as adornment.
The people are well known for artworks which include wooden stools with a pattern carved onto the surface. Their artistic expression includes weaving, cotton spinning, and hairdressing by women. Other art forms include embroidery, leatherwork, indigo dyeing, the manufacture of rope and twine, basket work, and canoe building. Drumming, singing, dancing, and oratory (including preaching) are also prevalent art forms.
Traditional marriage in Nupeland could be contracted in one of two ways. The first is where the would-be bridegroom ask of the girl’s hand (sometimes the girl suggests to her father who she wants to marry). The second is the marriage arranged by the heads of the families. Polygamous marriages were very common both before and after the introduction of the Islamic faith. Marriage involves the payment of a bride-price by the groom, and post-marital residence is patrilocal.
