ORIGIN OF NUPE KINGDOM

The Nupe kingdom was believed to have been founded around 1450 by an Igala Prince, Tsoede from
Idah whose mother was Aku from Nku near Bida Nupe, when various group of North and south of the
Niger- Benue came under his control and he was the first Etsu of Nupe.
When his father died, he fled to Nupeko inNupeland. From Nupeko, his head quarters he mustered a
strong calvary force with which he conquered the pre-existing confederacy of the Benin Nupe. Under
the leadership of Tsoede, campaigns aimed at territorial expansion were undertaken against the
neighbouring groups of Yagba, Bunu, Kakanda, Akobo to the South and Ebe, Kamberi, Kamuku and in
fact up to Oyo Empire.
Tsoede is said to have reigned in the early part of the 16th century but references to the Nupe in Hausa
sources date back to the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Tsoede is also believed to have introduced to Nupe
the art of canoe building, smithery and bronze technology. Tsoede brought the culture of payment of
bride price during marriage, and the use of human sacrifice was also introduced into the kingdom.
Tsoede reigned for sixty years and died at the age of 120 years. Tsoede is said to have been succeeded
by his four sons who reigned one after another. Etsu Jubril was the 15th Etsu after the dead of Tsoede,
and he reigned around 1750. He was the first Etsu to embrace Islam. He was deposed by his son who
sent him on exile where he died. Etsu Maazu was the 19th Etsu of Nupe. It was during
his reigned that Nupe reached its highest height. He allowed a Fulani malam Dendo, who was a
travelling preacher and a seller of charms from Kebbi into his kingdom.
SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF NUPE KINGDOM
The Etsu regarded a divine religious leader, who is the highest title holder in Nupe kingdom and the Etsu
was a central figure in the central government. The Etsu activities were controlled by taboos, such that
the Etsu was not to be seen by a stranger when he is eating.
The Etsu lived at Bida the administrative headquarters, and Bida was divided into three such as the inner
city, greater Bida and stranger’s quarter. The Etsu equipped his military which protected his royal house
hold and the entire Nupe people.
The Etsu was assisted by a council of state, which was the supreme authority in the Nupe kingdom. For
administrative purposes, the kingdom was divided into four zones.
Succession to kingship was based on patrilineal. The Etsu in council conferred both low and higher titles
on deserving persons who had fulfilled certain conditions such as seniority in age, proven loyalty, ability
and good health.
There were many classes of people in Nupe society such as nobles, craft guilds and commoners, but
movement from one class to another depended on wealth, military service and marriage.
THE ECONOMY OF NUPE KINGDOM
The Nupe people were farmers, fishermen, canoe builders and traders.
Their major products of farming were yams and potatoes.
Nupe’s land was fertile for agriculture, and food crops and cash crops were provided by Nupe farmers.
The Nupe craftsmen were highly talented in industrial work such as weaving, dyeing, bead-works,
tailoring, blacksmithing,
leather works etc.
Both internal and external trades were carried out within and outside Nupe land. The articles of trade
were Kolanut, slaves, salt, fish, cloth, dye, iron works and copper utensils.
Most of the Nupe trading partners were people from Jukun, Bornu and Hausa land.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE RISE AND GROWTH OF NUPE KINGDOM
a. The location of the Empire which h aided the people to do well in agriculture and fishing.
b. The Nupe kingdom had a strong military force.
c. The system of administration adopted contributed to the rise and growth of the Nupe kingdom.
d. Nupe towns along the banks of the rivers served as trade centres for the people and neighboring
states.
e. Good leadership contributed to the rise and growth of the kingdom.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE DECLINE AND FALL OF NUPE KINGDOM
i. The reign of weak ruleras who succeeded Etsu Ma’azu.
ii. The vastness of the kingdom and its extreme cultural diversity.
iii. The Enpire was situated on an open grassland region which offered no defensive barriers to the Nupe
people against
the invading enemies.
iv. Nupe witnessed many dynastic struggles to the throne.
IGALA KINGDOM
ORIGIN OF IGALA KINGDOM
Igala kingdom owns its origin to various traditions but the one mostly accepted says the founder of Igala
was Agenapoje. The Igala kingdom grew to occupy the entire territory on both banks of Rivers Niger and
Benue. The kingdom had its capital at Idah but it is believed that the first capital must have been at
Amagedde.
 SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE IGALA KINGDOM
The Igala people had a supreme king called the Atta who was assisted by a council of elders called Igala-
Mela. The Atta appointed the councilors who help him in the administration. The Atta organized and
headed the troops in times of war.
At Idah the Atta was surrounded with taboos, customs, court, rituals and he was separated from the
public. The councilors who assisted the Atta were appointed by him, and they served as mediators
between the central government and local government in all activities related to the kingdom.
The palace councilors who were the lineage groups included Amacho, Hodo, Aduga, Akogu and Ocholi.
They represented the Atta lineage family and other lineage groups. They were council of elders who
were the Atta highest representatives.
The Igala- Mela, the king makers were nine in number. They were led by Achadu and most of them lived
at Idah metropolis. The official duty of the Igala- mela was to control the election of the new Atta chosen
from among the four lineages group. The Igala- Mela had no administrative or specific functions to
perform. They controlled rituals on land and shrine, and they could remove an unpopular Attah from the
throne. They carried out ceremonies on ascension to the throne of new Atta after the death of the old
one was announced. The Igala- Mela officiated annual land festivals which were owned by clans
at all levels.
ECONOMY OF THE IGALA KINGDOM
i. The Atta collected taxes from the Niger-Benue trade.
ii. The Igala people were highly skill in crafts work.
iii. They made and exported iron and cooking utensils.
iv. The Igala people were farmers, fishermen and traders.
v. The Niger-Benue confluence provided the Igala people with a natural meeting point for the people of
other lands to
market their various goods.
FACTORS THAT LED TO RISE AND GROWTH OF IGALA KINGDOM
a. The location of the Igala kingdom around the Niger-Benue confluence made the land a soil fertile for
agriculture.
b. The rivers provided the people the natural habitat for fish.
c. The socio-political system of the Igala people was highly efficient.
d. The military organization of the kingdom was a contributory factor.
FACTORS THAT LED TO DECLINE AND FALL OF IGALA KINGDOM
1. The executive spent more time on rituals than on administration.
2. The separated life of the Atta which was guided by traditional religion and customs did not allow him
to participate
actively in the administration of his kingdom.
3. Atta Amocheje disbanded the Igala Mela for killing the twelfth Atta and his family and took the central
government
into his hands.
4. There frequent attacks on Igala by the Fulani.
5. The military became weak because the Atta’s leadership was disorganized.
6. The dependent states used the weakness of the leadership and military to break away.