NUPE UP TO 1800 SS1 Nigerian History Lesson Note

The Nupe state was an important kingdom that existed in what is now central Nigeria. It was located around the place where two large rivers—the Niger and the Kaduna—meet. The Nupe people created a strong state that lasted for centuries. They were known for their skills in crafts, farming, and trade. This lesson explains how the Nupe state began, how it was organized, its economy, and some of its important leaders up to the year 1800.

The Nupe People and Their Location

Who Were the Nupe People?

The Nupe were not just one group but a collection of related peoples:

• Made up of twelve different ethnic groups
• These groups shared similar languages and customs
• They lived together under one government
• They developed a common identity over time
• The name “Nupe” came to refer to all these related groups
• They are also sometimes called “Tapa” by their neighbors

Geographic Location

The Nupe state had a very favorable location:

• Situated in the middle belt of what is now Nigeria
• Located at the confluence (meeting point) of the Niger and Kaduna rivers
• The land was mostly flat with some hills
• Rich soil in the river valleys
• Savannah vegetation with scattered trees
• Natural resources included fish, clay, iron, and wood
• The rivers provided transportation routes
• Today, this area is mainly in Niger State, Nigeria
• Major Nupe towns included Gbara, Nupeko, and later Raba

Special Skills of the Nupe People

The Nupe were known for their excellent craftsmanship:

• Famous for brass work (making items from brass metal)
• Skilled in silverwork (creating jewelry and decorative items)
• Experts in glasswork (beads and decorative objects)
• Master boat builders (crafting canoes for river travel)
• Talented weavers (making cloth)
• Skilled blacksmiths (making tools and weapons)
• Wood carvers (creating masks, stools, and decorative items)
• These skills made Nupe products valuable in trade
• Crafts were passed down through generations
• Products were both used locally and traded widely

The Foundation of the Nupe State

Tsoede (Edegi): The Founder

The Nupe state was founded by a remarkable leader:

• Known as Tsoede or Edegi
• Lived in the early 16th century (around 1500s)
• Son of an Igala prince and a Nupe mother
• Raised in the Igala kingdom (southeast of Nupe land)
• Returned to Nupe land as an adult
• Brought knowledge of state organization from Igala
• United the twelve Nupe groups under his leadership
• Established the royal dynasty that would rule Nupe
• Brought important symbols of kingship from Igala
• These included royal drums, chains, and other regalia

The Legend of Tsoede

Stories about Tsoede show his importance:

• Said to have escaped from Igala on a bronze canoe
• Traveled up the Niger River to Nupe land
• The bronze canoe became a symbol of Nupe kingship
• Some stories say he had magical powers
• Helped defeat enemies and convince people to follow him
• Whether true or not, these stories show his importance
• They helped create a sense of unity among Nupe people
• Similar to founding legends of other West African states

Early Development of the State

After Tsoede, the state continued to grow:

• His descendants ruled as kings (called “Etsu Nupe”)
• Capital was established at Gbara
• Other important towns developed
• The twelve Nupe groups were brought under central control
• Some nearby peoples were conquered
• Trading networks were developed
• Government institutions were created
• Religious practices were organized
• By the 1700s, Nupe was a significant power in the region

Factors Responsible for the Rise of Nupe

Rivers and Water Resources

The rivers were crucial to Nupe’s development:

• Rivers Niger and Kaduna provided abundant water
• Fertile soil in river valleys supported farming
• Fishing was productive in the rivers
• Water transportation made travel and trade easier
• Floods brought nutrients to the soil each year
• Drinking water was readily available
• Rivers created natural boundaries for defense
• Control of river crossings brought wealth (tolls)
• Rivers connected Nupe to other states and peoples
• Water resources supported a growing population

Trade Advantages

Trade was a major factor in Nupe’s success:

• Located at the crossroads of north-south and east-west trade routes
• The Niger River was a major trade highway
• Goods from the forest regions came north
• Products from the savannah and desert went south
• Nupe merchants became wealthy from this trade
• Market towns grew up along the rivers
• Taxes on trade brought revenue to the state
• Nupe crafts were valued items in this trade
• Imported goods enriched Nupe culture
• Trade brought new ideas and technologies

Military Strength

Nupe developed impressive military capabilities:

• Maintained a standing army (permanent professional soldiers)
• Strong cavalry (soldiers on horseback)
• Well-equipped with weapons
• Skilled in river warfare using canoes
• Defensive walls around major towns
• Military leaders held important government positions
• Conquered neighboring territories
• Collected tribute from defeated peoples
• Army helped maintain internal order
• Military success brought prestige to Nupe rulers

Dynamic Administration

The government system was effective:

• Centralized authority under the Etsu Nupe
• Clear chain of command
• Division of the kingdom into administrative zones
• Efficient tax collection
• Judicial system to resolve disputes
• Balance between central and local authority
• Ability to adapt to changing conditions
• Incorporation of useful foreign ideas
• Recognition of merit in appointments
• Stability in succession of rulers

Socio-Political Organization

The social structure supported state development:

• Clear social hierarchy with defined roles
• Age-grade systems organized young men
• Craft guilds organized specialized workers
• Extended family networks provided social support
• Religious leaders helped maintain social order
• Village and town councils handled local matters
• System of titles rewarded service to the state
• Cultural practices reinforced unity
• Rituals and festivals strengthened common identity
• Balance between individual rights and community needs

Political Organization of Nupe Kingdom

The Etsu Nupe (King)

At the top of the political system was the ruler:

• Called the “Etsu Nupe”
• Considered sacred and semi-divine
• Lived in a royal palace
• Wore special regalia including royal beads
• Had both political and religious functions
• Commander of the army
• Final judge in important cases
• Appointed major officials
• Controlled foreign relations
• Position passed through the royal lineage

The Council of Ministers

The king was advised by important officials:

• Made up of senior titleholders
• Advised the Etsu on important matters
• Helped implement royal decisions
• Each minister had specific responsibilities
• Some positions were hereditary, others appointed
• Represented different interests in the kingdom
• Met regularly to discuss affairs of state
• Could sometimes check the king’s power
• Important for ensuring good governance
• Provided continuity between reigns

Zonal Administration

The kingdom was divided for better management:

• Four major administrative zones
• Each headed by a zonal chief
• These chiefs reported directly to the Etsu
• Responsible for their territories
• Collected taxes in their areas
• Maintained order and settled disputes
• Provided soldiers when needed
• Represented the Etsu to local people
• Communicated local concerns to the central government
• This system balanced central control with local administration

The Standing Army

Military organization was sophisticated:

• Permanent force of trained soldiers
• Strong cavalry units (horsemen)
• Foot soldiers with various weapons
• Specialized river forces using canoes
• Military commanders held important titles
• Some soldiers were full-time, others called up when needed
• The army had distinctive uniforms and insignia
• Military music (drums and trumpets) for communication
• Fortified positions throughout the kingdom
• Regular training and exercises

Local Government

At the local level, governance was structured:

• Villages headed by village chiefs
• Towns had more complex administration
• Family compounds led by compound heads
• Age grades helped maintain order among youth
• Local councils resolved minor disputes
• Market officials regulated trade
• Religious leaders handled spiritual matters
• Craft guilds organized specialized production
• Gender-based societies had specific roles
• This local organization supported the larger state

Nupe’s Economy

Strategic Trading Position

Trade was central to Nupe’s economy:

• Located at the crossroads of major trade routes
• The Niger River was a commercial highway
• Connected northern and southern trading networks
• Market towns grew up along the rivers
• Merchants from many regions gathered in Nupe markets
• Goods from the forest, savannah, and desert were exchanged
• Nupe became wealthy from taxes on this trade
• Controlled important river crossings
• Trading relationships extended in all directions
• This position made Nupe important regionally

Agricultural Production

Farming was the foundation of the economy:

• Rich, well-watered soil supported agriculture
• Grew grains like sorghum, millet, and rice
• Cultivated vegetables and fruits
• Some cotton production for textiles
• Kept livestock including cattle, sheep, and goats
• Fishing was important in rivers and streams
• Hunting supplemented food supplies
• Gathered wild foods and medicines
• Most people were farmers
• Surplus production supported crafts and trade

Craft Production

Specialized crafts were highly developed:

• Brass working created valuable items
• Silverwork for jewelry and decorative objects
• Glasswork, especially beads
• Boat building for river transportation
• Blacksmithing for tools and weapons
• Pottery for household and ritual use
• Weaving of cotton and other fibers
• Leatherwork for various items
• Woodcarving for tools, utensils, and art
• These crafts supported both local needs and export trade

Revenue Sources

The state collected resources through various means:

• Taxes on trade in markets
• Tolls at river crossings
• Tributes from vassal states
• Agricultural taxes from farmers
• Craft taxes from artisans
• Customs duties on imported goods
• Special levies for specific projects
• Gifts to the Etsu from visitors
• Share of war booty
• Mining rights and resource extraction

Notable Kings of Nupe

Tsoede (Early 16th Century)

The founder established the kingdom’s foundations:

• United the twelve Nupe groups
• Set up the basic government structure
• Established the royal dynasty
• Won many wars against neighboring peoples
• Created vassal relationships with conquered areas
• Brought symbols of kingship from Igala
• Started the tradition of the Etsu Nupe
• Built the first capital at Gbara
• Expanded Nupe territory
• His name is still honored in Nupe land today

Etsu Jibrin (Late 18th Century)

This later king made important changes:

• Ruled in the late 1700s (around 1795)
• His reign saw the introduction of Islam to Nupe
• Established a new capital at Raba
• Improved trade networks and revenues
• Strengthened the military
• Had diplomatic relations with Hausa states
• Modified government to incorporate Islamic practices
• Maintained Nupe independence
• Prepared Nupe for the challenges of the 1800s
• His reign marked a transition period for Nupe

Other Important Rulers

Several other kings made significant contributions:

• Etsu Majiya: Strengthened the military system
• Etsu Abdu Wya: Expanded territorial control
• Etsu Jibrella: Developed administrative systems
• These and other rulers helped Nupe grow and adapt
• Each faced different challenges and opportunities
• The succession of capable rulers helped Nupe thrive
• By 1800, Nupe had a long tradition of kingship
• Records of these earlier kings are less complete
• Oral traditions preserve their achievements

Cultural and Religious Life

Traditional Religion

Before Islam, Nupe had their own beliefs:

• Worship of various deities and spirits
• Veneration of ancestors
• Sacred places in the landscape
• Rituals for important life events
• Annual festivals marking the seasons
• Diviners and healers with spiritual roles
• Priests who conducted ceremonies
• Secret societies with religious functions
• Belief in the sacred nature of the Etsu
• These practices continued alongside Islam

Introduction of Islam

Islam began to influence Nupe by the late 1700s:

• Brought by traders from Hausa states
• Etsu Jibrin was influenced by Islamic ideas
• Muslim scholars came to the Nupe court
• Islam offered new ideas about law and government
• Literacy in Arabic came with Islam
• Islamic architecture influenced building styles
• Muslim communities formed in major towns
• Traditional practices continued alongside Islam
• Full Islamization would happen later, in the 1800s
• This religious change marked a major transition

Social Structure

Nupe society was organized in specific ways:

• Hierarchical with the royal family at the top
• Nobles and titleholders formed an upper class
• Free commoners made up most of the population
• Craft specialists had special status
• Slaves were at the bottom of society
• Extended family was the basic social unit
• Age grades organized people by generation
• Gender roles were clearly defined
• Urban and rural populations had different lifestyles
• This structure supported the state system

By 1800, the Nupe state had developed into a significant kingdom in the central area of what is now Nigeria. Founded by Tsoede in the early 16th century, it had grown through the efforts of capable rulers and the advantages of its location. The confluence of the Niger and Kaduna rivers provided water for farming, fishing, and transport. This location also made Nupe a natural center for trade.

The political organization of Nupe was sophisticated, with the Etsu Nupe at the top, supported by a council of ministers and a system of zonal administration. A strong standing army helped defend the kingdom and expand its territory. The economy combined agriculture, specialized crafts, and trade, making Nupe prosperous.

Notable kings like Tsoede the founder and Etsu Jibrin in the late 18th century shaped the kingdom’s development. By 1800, Islam was beginning to influence Nupe society, marking a transition that would continue into the 19th century. The Nupe state demonstrated how a well-organized African kingdom could thrive through good leadership, strategic location, and adaptability to changing conditions.