March 3, 2025
INTRODUCTION BY HARRY AGINA:
As we continue our “AfroCultural Titbits” on Afro-Scope.com, we bring you another exposé on our tribal series by one of our Directors, Simon Bameyi. First, Simon brought us an exposé on the Idoma tribe of Africa. Then he gave us the Yoruba tribe. And now, he brings us the Nupe tribe of Nigeria in West Africa. Here we go:
BY SIMON BAMEYI:
The Nupe people are an ethnic group found primarily in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, particularly in Niger State, Kaduna State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They have a rich and diverse history that dates back to the 15th century.
ORIGIN AND HISTORY:
The Nupe people originated from the Nupe Kingdom, which was founded in the 15th century by the legendary King Edegi. The kingdom was located in the valley of the Niger River, near the present-day city of Bida. The Nupe people were skilled farmers, hunters, and fishermen, and they developed a complex system of government, social hierarchy, and spiritual practices.
THE NUPE EMPIRE:
In the 19th century, the Nupe Kingdom expanded into a powerful empire under the leadership of the Nupe king, Masaba. The empire stretched from the Niger River in the west to the Kaduna River in the east, and from the Benue River in the south to the Sokoto River in the north. The Nupe Empire was known for its military prowess, administrative efficiency, and cultural achievements.
COLONIALISM AND BRITISH RULE:
In the late 19th century, the Nupe Empire was colonized by the British, who incorporated it into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. The British imposed their own system of government, economy, and culture on the Nupe people, which had a significant impact on their traditional way of life.
MODERN-DAY NUPE PEOPLE:
Today, the Nupe people are found primarily in Niger State, Kaduna State, and the FCT. They continue to play an important role in Nigerian politics, economy, and culture. The Nupe language, also known as Nupe-Nupe-Tako, is spoken by over 1 million people in Nigeria.
SOME NOTABLE ASPECTS OF NUPE CULTURE:
1. LANGUAGE: The Nupe language is a member of the Nupoid language family.
2. TRADITIONAL CLOTHING/FASHION: Nupe people are known for their colorful traditional clothing, which includes intricate embroidery and beadwork.
3. MUSIC AND DANCE: Nupe music and dance are highly energetic and expressive, with popular styles including the “Nupe Dance” and the “Egungun Dance”.
4. CUISINE: Nupe cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, including “Tuwo Shinkafa” (a rice dish) and “Miyan Kasa” (a bean stew).
CHALLENGES FACING THE NUPE PEOPLE:
1. Environmental degradation: The Nupe people are affected by environmental degradation, including deforestation and soil erosion.
2. Poverty and unemployment: Many Nupe people live in poverty and face high levels of unemployment.
3. Cultural erosion: The Nupe culture is facing erosion due to the influence of modernization and urbanization.
AUGMENTATION BY HARRY AGINA:
Here are some pictorial titbits on the culture of the Nupe tribe and people for you. This time, we bring you just a few pictures of Art and Fashion, courtesy of PINTEREST, founded by Ben Silbermann, Evan Sharp, and Paul Sciarra. For more pictorial information about the African people, visit Pinterest.com:
POTTERY:
BEAUTY IN FASHION:
LINK TO IDOMA TRIBE TITBITS:
LINK TO YORUBA TRIBE TITBITS:
