Nupe
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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Nupe
(self-designation, Nupesizi), a people living in Nigeria, mainly in the Northeast and Kwara states. They number about 1 million (1972, estimate). The Nupe language is one of the Kwa languages. Their religion is Islam, with partial preservation of traditional beliefs and cults. The Gbari and Igbira are close to the Nupe in culture and language. In the Middle Ages the Nupe founded a state that existed until the early 19th century. The main occupation of the Nupe is farming. Various crafts have long been developed.
REFERENCES
Ismagilova, R. N. Narody Nigerii. Moscow, 1963.Nadel, S. F. A Black Byzantium: The Kingdom of Nupe in Nigeria. London [1961].
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.