The Nupe People of Nigeria — Language, Culture, Religion, History & Facts
Everything about the Nupe ethnic group: Nupe language phrases, religion, culture, history, food, traditional rulers, notable people and meaning of the name. Also known as: Tapa, Nufawa.
- Meaning of "Nupe"
- Where the Nupe are found
- Nupe History
- Nupe Language
- Common Nupe Phrases (Nupe to English)
- Nupe Religion
- Nupe Culture & Traditions
- Nupe Food & Cuisine
- Nupe Traditional Attire
- Nupe Music & Arts
- Nupe Festivals
- Nupe Marriage Customs
- Notable Nupe People
- Interesting Facts
- Frequently Asked Questions
| Also Known As | Tapa, Nufawa |
| Region | North Central |
| States | Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT |
| Population | 2–3 million (~1.5%) |
| Language | Nupe |
| Language Family | Niger-Congo |
| Religion | Islam (predominantly) |
| Traditional Ruler | Etsu Nupe (paramount ruler, based in Bida) |
| Cultural Capital | Bida, Lapai |
What is the Meaning of "Nupe"?
"Nupe" is the name of both the people and their kingdom. The people call themselves "Nupe" and their language "Nupe tā". The word may derive from their founding ancestor Tsoede's lineage name.
The Nupe people are also known by other names — Tapa, Nufawa. These alternative names were often applied by neighbouring peoples or colonial administrators, and some have fallen out of use or are considered outdated. The people themselves primarily use "Nupe" as their collective self-designation.
Where are the Nupe Found? (Nupe Country)
The Nupe are a Nigerian ethnic group native to the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. They are primarily found in Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT. Nigeria is their ancestral homeland, though significant Nupe diaspora communities exist in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and across West Africa. The traditional cultural capital of the Nupe is Bida, Lapai.
While Nigeria is the primary homeland of the Nupe, significant Nupe diaspora communities exist across the globe — particularly in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and across West Africa. In Nigeria's major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano, Nupe communities coexist with people of all other ethnic groups.
History of the Nupe People
The Nupe kingdom, centred on the confluence of the Niger and Kaduna rivers, was one of the most powerful states in the Middle Belt before colonialism. Founded in the 15th century by the legendary Tsoede (Edegi), who is said to have descended from a Yoruba (Ife) royal line, the Nupe kingdom became famous for its glasswork, brasswork, weaving and trade. Nupe controlled the key crossing point on the Niger River, levying tolls on all trade. The Fulani jihad of the 19th century captured Nupe and established the Bida Emirate, which remains the dominant traditional institution among the Nupe today. The British colonised Nupeland in 1897.
Nupe Language
The Nupe speak Nupe, a language of the Niger-Congo language family. With approximately 2–3 million speakers, it is one of the significant languages of Nigeria and West Africa.
Nupe is a tonal language — the meaning of words changes depending on the pitch (tone) used. This is a feature shared by many African languages and makes the language rich in phonetic nuance. Like most West African languages, Nupe has a strong oral tradition, with literature, history and philosophy transmitted through spoken word, songs and proverbs.
The Nupe language has several dialects corresponding to its major subgroups: Beni, Kede, Gbedde, Kakanda.. While these dialects differ in vocabulary and pronunciation, speakers can generally understand each other.
Today, Nupe is taught in schools in its home states and has a growing body of written literature, newspapers and online content. It is also studied in universities across Nigeria, West Africa, Europe and North America.
Common Nupe Phrases — Nupe to English
Below are common phrases in Nupe with their English translations. These are among the most searched Nupe-to-English expressions, including how to say "hello" and "thank you" in Nupe.
| English | Nupe (Nupe) |
|---|---|
| Hello / Hi | Baza (Baza) |
| Thank you | A wun (A wun) |
| How are you? | I tso bogi? (I tso bogi?) |
| Good morning | Ci dan (Ci dan) |
| Good night | Dangi (Dangi) |
| I love you | N kan gi (N kan gi) |
| Welcome | Baza (Baza) |
| What is your name? | Maci nini? (Maci nini?) |
| My name is... | Maci nni... (Maci nni...) |
| Goodbye | Kpere (Kpere) |
"How do you say 'hi' in Nupe?" — To say hello in Nupe, say: Baza (Baza)
"How do you say 'I love you' in Nupe?" — N kan gi (N kan gi)
Nupe Religion
The Nupe are predominantly Muslim, following the Sunni Maliki school of Islamic law common across West Africa. Islam was introduced to Nupe communities primarily through trans-Saharan trade routes and the influence of Muslim scholars. Islamic practice among the Nupe is integrated with aspects of local culture — including festivals, dress, and social customs — producing a distinctly Nigerian expression of Islam. The Nupe do not practise Voodoo or any form of indigenous spirit religion in the mainstream, though some communities maintain pre-Islamic traditions alongside Islamic practice. To the question "Are Nupe Muslims?" — yes, the vast majority are Sunni Muslims.
Nupe Culture and Traditions
Nupe culture is celebrated for its extraordinary craftsmanship: Bida brasswork, glasswork (unique in West Africa), mat weaving, wood carving and embroidery are all famous. The Nupe were the first people in West Africa to develop glassblowing techniques. Nupe traditional music uses the kakaki horn and various drums.
What are the Nupe known for?
The Nupe people are widely known for Farming (yam, rich musical and artistic traditions, vibrant festivals and celebrations, distinctive cuisine including Millet porridge, producing influential Nigerians across politics, business and the arts.
Traditional Nupe Food and Cuisine
Nupe cuisine is one of Nigeria's richest culinary traditions, built around fresh local ingredients, spiced soups and carbohydrate staples from the farm. Below are the most iconic Nupe dishes:
Food is central to Nupe cultural and social life. Specific dishes are prepared for naming ceremonies, marriages, funerals, festivals and community gatherings. Communal cooking and eating reinforces family and community bonds in Nupe society. Many Nupe dishes have spread across Nigeria and are enjoyed nationwide.
Traditional Nupe Attire and Clothing
Embroidered caps, wrappers, formal Nigerian dress. Men wear gowns and turbans.
Nupe Music, Arts and Entertainment
Nupe music, traditional praise singers, kakaki horns.
Traditional Nupe Occupations
The Nupe have historically been engaged in: Farming (yam, guinea corn, millet), craft (glasswork, brasswork, weaving), fishing, trade.. These traditional livelihoods shaped Nupe culture, social structure and their relationship with the land and environment.
Nupe Festivals and Celebrations
Ndayako festival, Sallah durbar.
Festivals among the Nupe serve multiple purposes: honouring ancestral spirits, marking agricultural seasons, celebrating royal authority, expressing communal identity and attracting tourism and cultural exchange. Most Nupe festivals are annual occasions that draw participants from across the diaspora.
Nupe Marriage Customs and Traditions
Islamic marriage customs: bride price, Nikah, Walima.
Notable Nupe People
The Nupe have produced many of Nigeria's and Africa's most distinguished individuals across politics, business, literature, music, science and sport:
Subgroups of the Nupe
The Nupe people comprise several subgroups or clans, each with their own dialects, customs and local traditions while sharing a common Nupe identity and heritage. These subgroups include:
- Beni
- Kede
- Gbedde
- Kakanda.
Interesting Facts About the Nupe
- Bida glassware is unique in all of West Africa — glass beads made in Bida were traded across the region for centuries.
- Nupe is one of Nigeria's most skilled craft-producing communities.