🛶 Nupe

River Traders of the Niger-Benue Confluence

Who Are the Nupe?

The Nupe are an ethnic group of central Nigeria, primarily inhabiting Niger State and the Niger-Benue confluence region. Numbering approximately 3-4 million, they occupy the strategic intersection of Nigeria's two great rivers—the Niger and Benue—which historically made them important traders and intermediaries. The Nupe speak Nupe, a Nupoid language of the Niger-Congo family. Their traditional Nupe Kingdom, centered on the city of Bida, was one of the significant pre-colonial states of the region. Known for their distinctive crafts, including brasswork, glass beads, and weaving, the Nupe developed sophisticated artisan traditions that continue today.

~3.5MPopulation
NupoidLanguage Family
Niger StateRegion
NigeriaCountry

River Kingdom

The Nupe Kingdom emerged by the 15th century, controlling the vital Niger-Benue river trade. Canoe flotillas transported goods between the northern savanna and southern forests; the Nupe extracted tolls and participated actively in commerce. Trade items included kola nuts moving north, salt and cloth moving south, and enslaved people in the trans-Saharan and Atlantic trades. The kingdom was centralized under the Etsu Nupe (king) based in Bida after a period of fragmentation. In the 19th century, Fulani jihad forces conquered the kingdom, establishing the Nupe Emirate as part of the Sokoto Caliphate. British conquest (1897) incorporated Nupe territory into colonial Nigeria.

Craft Traditions

Nupe craft traditions are renowned throughout Nigeria. Bida, the traditional capital, remains a center for brasswork—artisans produce brass trays, vessels, and ornaments using techniques transmitted across generations. Glass bead making (another Bida specialty) produces distinctive beads traded across West Africa. Nupe weavers create elaborate textiles, including the prestigious "npe" cloth. Blacksmithing produced tools and weapons. These crafts were organized through guilds with specialized knowledge and apprenticeship systems. While industrial production has reduced some traditional crafts, artisan work continues, supported by both local markets and cultural tourism. Nupe craft heritage represents continuity with pre-colonial excellence.

Contemporary Nupe

Modern Nupe face the transitions common to Nigerian ethnic groups: urbanization, education, and integration into the national economy while maintaining cultural identity. Agriculture (rice, guinea corn, yams) remains important in rural areas; fishing continues along the rivers. The Etsu Nupe maintains ceremonial and traditional authority from Bida. Islam, adopted during the Fulani conquest, is now nearly universal among the Nupe. Education has expanded; Nupe professionals work throughout Nigeria. Political identity connects to Niger State, created in 1976, where Nupe are the majority. Inter-ethnic relations with neighbors including the Gbagyi and Yoruba shape local politics. The Nupe demonstrate cultural persistence through craft traditions, language maintenance, and ceremonial continuity within contemporary Nigerian society.

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