Study Session 2: Nigeria – An Ethno-Historical Survey

37 vocabulary flashcards summarise key peoples, states, titles, legends, and institutions discussed in the ethno-historical survey of Nigeria before 1800.

Nigeria’s Six Geo-political Zones

North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, South-South.

Nok Culture

Site in Plateau State with artifacts dated to c. 39,000 BC—the earliest evidence of human habitation in Nigeria.

Late Stone Age Sites

Mejiro Cave, Rop rock shelters, Daima, and Iwo-Eleru, showing occupation 15,000 BC–500 BC.

Hausa

Major ethnic group of the North-West that formed several pre-1800 states such as Kano and Katsina.

Fulani

Pastoral and sedentary West African people; spread into Nigeria savannahs, some leading 19th-century jihads.

Bayajidda Legend

Hausa origin myth about a hero from Baghdad whose descendants founded the original Hausa states.

Hausa Bakwai

‘Seven original’ Hausa states: Daura, Katsina, Kano, Rano, Zazzau, Gobir, and Biram.

Banza Bakwai

‘Seven bastard’ peripheral states: Zamfara, Kebbi, Gwari, Yauri, Nupe, Jukun, and Oyo.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Medieval commerce across the Sahara that stimulated centralised polities in Hausaland (c. 1100–1400).

Kebbi

Hausa state dominant in the 16th century, reducing neighbours to tributary status.

Zamfara

Hausa state that replaced Kebbi’s supremacy late 16th century and controlled trade routes.

Gobir

Hausa state that rose in the 18th century; defeated Zamfara in 1762 but fell to Fulani jihad.

Uthman dan Fodio

Fulani Islamic scholar who led the early-19th-century jihad that overthrew Gobir and other Hausa states.

Kanem-Borno

Kanuri kingdom around Lake Chad (9th–19th c.); first Islamic state in the Nigeria area.

Kanuri

Ethnic group of the North-East that established Kanem-Borno; rulers titled Mai.

Mai

Title of Kanuri kings of Kanem-Borno.

Saifawa Dynasty

Ruling house of Kanem-Borno claiming descent from the legendary Saif.

Mai Idris Aloma

Kanuri ruler (d. c. 1603) who consolidated Kanem-Borno at its apogee.

Jukun

Ethnic group once called Kwararafa; migrated from Upper to Lower Benue, forming a confederacy under the Aku of Wukari.

Aku of Wukari

Paramount ruler at the head of the Jukun confederacy in the Lower Benue.

Nupe Kingdom

Centralised state in North-Central Nigeria, founded by Tsoede (Edegi); ruler titled Etsu.

Tsoede (Edegi)

Semi-legendary founder of the Nupe Kingdom, son of an Igala king and Nupe woman.

Etsu

Royal title of Nupe rulers.

Igala Kingdom

State centred on Idah; founded by an outsider—first king titled Atta.

Atta

Title of the Igala king.

Yoruba

South-West ethnic group sharing mythic origins at Ile-Ife; term originally applied only to Oyo speakers.

Oduduwa Dynasty

Line of ancestral Yoruba rulers believed to have founded many Yoruba kingdoms.

Oba

Hereditary king in Yoruba polities, resident in an aafin (palace) and wearer of a beaded crown.

Oyo Mesi

Seven-member council of state in the Oyo Kingdom, led by the Bashorun.

Bashorun

Head of the Oyo Mesi council and chief executive in the Oyo political system.

Amala Council

Council of elders governing autonomous Igbo villages.

Arochukwu Oracle (Ibinu Ukpabi)

Influential Igbo oracle controlled by the Aro, providing judicial verdicts and regional influence.

Umuada

Association of married daughters in Igbo society aiding dispute settlement and community cohesion.

Benin Kingdom

Edo state (13th–19th c.) famed for brass art and regional influence across Edo, Delta, and parts of Yorubaland.

Amanyanabo

Ritual headman of an Ijaw village who evolved into a political ruler as Atlantic trade expanded.

Efik

Cross River people whose settlements formed Calabar; political authority regulated through the Ekpe society.

Ekpe Society

Efik secret society that exercised political and judicial power; membership required to become Obong.