Cultural heritage: What you need to know about the Etsu Nupe’s palace

Abosede Oluwabukola Olaniyan

 

NIGERIA has two UNESCO world heritage sites, namely; Sukur Cultural Landscape in Madagali in Adamawa State and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Osun State.

There are 65 national monuments and sites managed by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Palaces, the residence of traditional rulers, are among the fewest documented, yet, they constitute the most visible artefacts that are socially, culturally and politically significant and worthy of historic documentation. A good example is the Etsu Nupe’s palace.

The Etsu Nupe is the traditional title for the most superior Emir of Nupe land. The Etsu Nupe is a first class chief. Nupes are found predominantly in Niger State, which lies in the North Central geo-political zone, signifying the extent of the Emir’s influence. They are also found in Kogi State.

The Etsu Nupe’s palace is located in Bida West in Niger State, along Wuya-Bida Road, next to Bida Local Government Secretariat.

The Etsu Nupe’s palace is referred to in local dialect of Hausa as Hakorin Giwa, and Yikan Dagba in the original Nupe language, interpreted in English as elephant’s tusk, and it serves administrative, cultural and social purposes.

The Etsu Nupe’s palace was constructed in about 1935 by Sarkin Gini Muhammad Egba. Perhaps, Etsu Nupe’s palace, among other traditional palaces holds a rich cultural heritage in the North Central region of Nigeria.

These are the past events that brought about the present and future of the Nupe Emirate, which is called ‘Etsu Nupe.’

The ruling family of the Nupes are all sons of Mallam Dendo, out of seven sons, the ruling families are three in number, namely; Usman Zaki, Mama Saba and Umaru Majigi, also known as Ena-Gpyazhi (Dauda 2013).

The genealogy began in 1856. Since then, 13 Emirs have reigned successfully, except Etsu Nupe Usaman Sarki, who was sent on exile.

The reign of each Etsu commences by appointment and is terminated by death. The longest serving Etsu was Etsu Nupe Umaru Sanda Ndayako, who reigned for 28 years.

The shortest was Etsu Nupe Usman Zaki who reigned for three years. The current Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has been on the throne for 18 years now.

The Hakorin Giwa, a symbol of the Nupe Emirate’s administrative dynasty is significant for its socio-cultural and political activities where major decisions are taken by the Emir and his councils. It serves as Nko, a venue for the royals and title holders converging every Friday to discuss central issues to the Emirate.

Hakorin Giwa, like other traditional buildings in the North, are glossed by Makuba and Dan Gangaje to smoothen the wall to show the architectural and artistic mastery.

The Makuba is also used as an insect repellent. This cultural heritage is a single round palace comprising four rooms and one cell “Katagi” for offenders, two entrances, with one door from the front view. It serves as conference/meeting “Nko,” venue for the royals/title holders on Fridays to discuss the way forward for the Emirate.

Among the socio-cultural activities of Hakorin Giwa is the royal marriage of princesses. Both maternal and paternal princess marriage rites are conducted in the Katamba.

Customarily, women enter the palace only at dawn before morning prayers to tend to immediate issues, though, the Emirate holds and recognises the contributions of women to the society in high esteem.

The Sagi Nupe and Niwoye are high ranking women who hold titles in the emirate and are restricted to the royal family alone.

Soniyan Nupe is the one in charge of the market women, the Etsu’s maids and midwife to his wives. The women in their respective designations foster unity and coordinate the affairs of women in the land. These are the women allowed in the Hakorin Giwa.

Remarkably, the Nupe nation is known for its historical antecedents of the Nupe reign and has held the Hakorin Giwa, as a significant cultural heritage of the people.

Every nation that has a future has a history and that can be said of the Nupe dynasty. The Nupes hold in high esteem the “Hakorin Giwa,” which is of great importance for administrative, cultural and social purposes for the ruling class.

Olaniyan is of the National Museum, Minna, Niger State.

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