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History of Agaie, Niger State: Origin, Emirate, People and Heritage

```html History of Agaie, Niger State: Origin, Emirate, People and Heritage Agaie , a historic town in present-day Niger State, Nigeria, is the traditional capital of the Agaie Emirate and the headquarters of Agaie Local Government Area . Located about 37 kilometres east of Bida , the town occupies an important place in the history and cultural landscape of the Nupe-speaking people of Nigeria. Among the indigenous people of Agaie and other Nupe-speaking communities, the town is commonly known as Gaie , pronounced approximately Gaye . The name Gaie is widely used in everyday local speech and remains an important part of the identity of the people of Agaie. Where Is Agaie Located? Agaie is situated in the central part of Niger State, within the wider Nupe cultural area. Its geographical position has contributed significantly to the character and development of the settlement. One of the most distinctive features of Agaie is its location in a valley associated with three rivers...

Agaie: The Ancient Town, Emirate, and Local Government of Niger State, Nigeria

Agaie, a historically rich town located in Niger State, Nigeria, stands as a testament to the resilience and cultural vibrancy of the Nupe-speaking people. With a history spanning over 200 years, Agaie has seen the rise and fall of empires, the spread of Islam, the colonial influence of the British, and now, a fight to restore one of its most important landmarks: Baro Port.  The Early History of Agaie: Pre-Islamic Roots The origins of Agaie date back to the early days of the Nupe-speaking people, long before the arrival of Islam in the region. Agaie, like many other ancient settlements in northern Nigeria, was founded as a small village or town, governed by indigenous systems that prioritized kinship, trade, and local governance. The town's historical significance lies in its early settlement by the Nupe, whose ancestors laid the foundation for what would later become a thriving town.    The Arrival of Islam and the Fulani Dynasty Agaie's most transformative period came i...

The Origin of Agaie International Market

  The history of agaie market is as old as the town itself. The market which was located in the center of Agaie town (now the old market) existed before the coming of Mallam Babba to the town, initially, the market had no fixed day. Instead, it is open all days of the week. Traders that patronized Agaie market came from the Northern part of the Country through Minna. As time went on people were not coming as regularly as they should be. As a way of reviving the market attendance and probably attracting the neighboring villages to bring their farm produce for sale, the British colonial administration at that time which became worried over low turnout at the market suggested to Etsu Abubakar II (who reigned from 19119 to 1926) to pronounce a fixed day which the market will open for businesses. It was envisaged that doing so would revive the lost patronage that the market once enjoyed. However, Etsu Abubakar II rejected the suggestion; saying he was opposed to breaking away from his...

THE TWO ROYAL FAMILIES THAT EXIST IN FULANI DYNATY OF AGAIE

TWO ROYAL FAMILIES  EXIST IN THE FULANI DYNASTY OF AGAIE. These two royal families are both allowed to rule the emirate on a rotational basis. The are the Mallam Babba and Mallam Sulaimanu royal houses. These two royal hoses each had, and yet have, the exclusive right to produce a successor each time the demise of a serving Etsu is announced. The reason for this, as handed down by oral traditions, was that while Mallam Babba was the founder of the dynasty; Sulaimanu, his brother, was the one who volunteered to go to Gwandu to obtain the flag and permission to install Abdullahi as the first Fulani Etsu of Agaie. None among Babba's companions offer to go. This also explains why the two highest political ranks in the emirate, Etsu and Shaba, have always been domiciled in these two royal houses. While the royal house of Mallam Bubba's lineage is labeled as "Tako", meaning "Down"; Sulaimanu royal house is referred to as "Tiffin", meaning "Up"....

Administration and politics under Fulani Rule in Agaie

With the establishment in 1832 of Fulani rule in Agaie, the title "Etsu" later to be called Emir by the British Colonialist was adopted for the head of the emirate. The Etsu was assisted in the administration of the entire emirate by a council of special advisers and other traditional title holders. Etsu was the overall and outright ruler of the entire emirate. He assumed full executive powers on the very day of his appointment to the throne. This was usually further confirmed with a coronation ceremony. He was the political, religious, economical and judicial head of the emirate. As the political head of the emirate, he has absolute control over it and receives tributes from villages under his domain. In addition, all political appointments within the emirate were made and confirmed by him. Being the executive head of government, his orders and decisions were binding on all individuals within the emirate irrespective of their economic and political status. As the economic he...

The Battle of Fogbe in Agaie During Fulani Jihadist

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 This was another tough battle. The pagans in this hometown Fogbe gave the Fulani's a big tough time. The Fulani warriors were led by Umaru Daudu Maza a disciple of Mallam Babba in Agaie. The Pagans in Fogbe built a consecrated hut into which they ran for safety each time Fulani warriors launched an attack against them. The venerated hut, which still exists, accommodated as many pagans as could enter into it. Babba troops never succeeded in penetrating the hut. Daudu Maza was once captured and enslaved at Kiti-Kpagi during one of the territorial wars. To get him back, mallam Babba had to part with a big black gown as a ransom for Daudu Maza's release. To Mallam Babba, Daudu Maza was a step-son. The father of Daudu Maza was a friend of Mallam Babba. While on his sick bed, he entrusted his son and the rest of his family to Mallam Babba's care. After the former demise, Mallam Babba consequently married Daudu Maza's mother, which made Daudu Maza become Mallam Babba's st...

HISTORY OF RIVER RUKPA THAT WAS POISON DURING EWUGI WAR BY THE FULANI JIHADIST IN AGAIE

 When the river was poisoned it became very harmful for consumption. Fishes caught cannot be eaten because even after boiling for several hours, it will remain fresh.  To disinfect the poisoned river, the leader of the Ewugi community at the time, by the name Birama, prepared some charms which he added to the corpse of a lady called Shangara in Nupe. The corpse was buried at a spot by the source of the river Rukpa. The spot is still marked with a shrub he planted on the tomb. The man told the surviving natives of Ewugi at that time that the river would be safe for consumption when the withered plant started growing green leaves. This prophecy actually came to pass and the water became disinfected. THE LEADER OF EWUGI VILLAGE history has it that after the Fulani won the war, the leader of Ewugi refused to accept the Fulani Etsu Agaie as his leader but to be an Islamic religious leader, not his master. He also turned down the offer granted him by the fulani Etsu Agaie to be the ...