Nupe

This article is about the ethnic group. For fraternity members called nupes, see Kappa Alpha Psi. For the British trade union, see National Union of Public Employees.

History

The Nupe are an ethnic group located primarily in the middle belt and northern Nigeria. A version of their history claim that they originally lived in Egypt but settled on the banks of the Niger River sometime in the 15th century. There are probably about half-a-million Nupe, principally in Niger State. They are primarily Muslims, although traditional religion remains very strong. The Nupe people have several local, traditional rulers but they are fundamentaly ruled by the Etsu Nupe. The Etsu Nupe is not Nupe and is actually part of the Fula tribe but they came to rule the Nupe in the 1800. Their capital is Bida

Traditions, Art and Culture

The Nupe people have various traditions. As Muslims much of their culture is adopted from the Arab nations but they still hold on to much of their culture. Many Nupe people often have tribal scars on their faces, some to identify their prestige and the family of which they belong as well as for protection, as well as jewlery adornement. But these traditions are dying out in certain areas.

The Nupe are traditionally Muslim and their art is therefore abstract. They particularly make wooden stools with patterns carved onto the surface.The Nupes also consist of those of christian faiths as well.

The Nupe were first described in detail by the ethnographer Siegfried Nadel, whose book, Black Byzantium, remains an anthropological classic.