TOPIC: NUPE KINGDOM

ORIGIN OF NUPE KINGDOM

The origin of Nupe has different stories, some said they came from ugba bn Nafil
Arabian area, Leo Frobenius said the first Etsu(king) of Nupe migrated from the
east with king kisra to found a ruling dynasty in Nupe while others argued they are
from Borno such as Barebari traders, Katsinawa and Kanawa settlement.
However, according to Nupe oral tradition, the kingdom was founded by Tsoede
in the 15th century (1523-1531). He took the first title of Etsu (king) and he was
an Igala prince from Ida. He was known for his magic powers, introduced the art
of canoe building and smiting and established the capital at Nupeco.
The Nupes live in large villages or towns called ‘EZI” and small settle are called
“Lunga or Kangi” which means daughter settlement of a small town.
 SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF NUPE
1. Nupe is seen as a language too and they occupy central western part of
Nigeria and they are found in Bida, Lapai, Kontagora, Patagi all in Niger
State and parts of Abuja like Zuba and Gwagwalada.
2. Social organization: the village chief rules over the community and
assisted by village elders (the Nusazi) who are heads of families.
3. Political organization: the Etsu is the head of his government, he is
selected by Gitsuzi and Sarakizi (the royal and non-royal elites). the king is
responsible for law and order.
4. Social control: to ensure social responsibility: offenses may result in
ostracism or punishment by the deity. offences can be settled traditionally by
reparation, while criminal cases called for formal judgment. koranic law
was also introduced by the fulani.
5. Religious organization: Islam came to Nupe around 18th and 19th
century, the guardian spirit Guunu was the most widespread religious
practice, here animals are sacrificed in his honor and also a semi
religious gathering called Ndakogboiya. King Jubril of about 1770
was the first to adopt Islam in the kingdom.
6. Military organization: they had no standby for large scale warfare
but the kings brigade of guards which was a regular force of small
well-armed troops. It was supplemented by volunteers and soldiers.
the kings guard was commanded by “Etsu dogari” while the infantry
troops of the nobility were commanded by “Etsu dankari”.
 CONTRIBUTIONS OF TSOEDE
1. He brought unity among the different sub-groups of Nupe
2. He expanded the territories through wars on their neighbors
3. He founded a centralized authority through persuasion and conquest
4. The empire was renowned for culture, arts and other sophistication
5. A single ruler emerged for the first time and his authority extended
over all the various Nupe sub-groups.
6. The Nupe for the first time were brought under single government.
note: read more from your textbook pg 163-164)
 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

1. Agriculture
2. Livestock keeping
3. Industrial economy
4. Trade and commerce
5. Labor, etc.
 SUMMARY
In summary, Tsoede was seen as an important figure and is regarded
as the father of the Nupe people and the genesis of the group. the
kingdom also had issues that led to the fall of the kingdom and they
include; the Fulbe conquest of Nupe by Dendo. The Jihardist war
against king Majiaya. Indigenous tsoede dynasty was destroyed and
replaced by a foreign Fulani Muslim dynasty, succession disputes and
the death of three Ttsus, Kolo, Yikanko and Mohammadu between
1800 and 1833 led Volatality of the kingdom and also paved way for
foreign infiltration.