The History of Agaie | Agaie Emirate

```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, 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 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...

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"....

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...

 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...

 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 ...

 This was a powerful woman who played a critical role during the fight between the Fulani Jihadist and the settlers in Agaie. During the war, sometime 1827 a woman named Sagi Nnakyastwa approached the elders to allow her to lead the Ewugi forces to the fight between them and the followers of Mallam Babba, and her approval was granted. On the day of the encounter, she ordered her stool to be placed at the camping site of Ewugi forces. With a bevy of virgin girls and her iron stick branded as Kandi in her hand, she sat on her stool and ordered the war drummers to continue chanting war songs on the approach of Fulani forces. Soon, a swarm of bees started to hoover in the sky toward the Fulani forces, which forced them to disperse. Some repeatedly died from the stings suffered by the bees. which also led to the suspension of the war. In 1828 another war was to commence to be led by the same powerful woman Sagi Nnnakyastwa. In the early hours of the day, the fight was to take place, she...

The Rukwaji wars in Agaie was a fight between them and the Fulani's. The Rukwaji was very strong in supporting the Ewugi during the fight with the Fulanis. and they Fulanis were not happy about that And even while the Ewugis was defeated, they still stand on their feet to fight against the Jihadist. After several attempt by the Fulanis on the Rukwaji they never yielded success. Then Mallam Babba decided to use another approach on them in order to defeat them. He asked his people to bring him a bunch of palm kernel and prayed on it for seven days and instructed his most senior servant to drop it at the source of stream water that the Rukwaji people use to drink, it was tied to a tree and the root was put in the river, when the root began to rot, the resident within the territory including the Rukwaji people after taking the water, they were caught with an epidemic. And the old days practice when an epidemic attack a community they whole will move out to another safe land. the Fulani...

 The Fulani Jihad refers to a series of Islamic holy wars or jihads initiated by the Fulani people in the 19th century across West Africa. This movement aimed to establish and spread Islamic rule and governance. While there were various Fulani jihads in different regions, it's important to note that the specifics can vary from one area to another. The Fulani Jihads were significant events in the history of West Africa, and they often involved complex social, economic, and political dynamics. The extension of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio-led Fulani jihad to Agaie was attributed to a Fulani man called Mallam Muhammadu Babba. He was the son of Mallam Attahiru of Yantumaki in the present Katsina State. After receiving his early Qur'anic education under Shehu Usmanu Dan Fodio, he decided to set out for the spread of Islamic faith. He left Sokoto with his Family and four other islamic scholars. The Scholars were. Mallam Dendo (Legendary founder of Islamic Bida), Mallam Alimi ( Legendary...

The specific occupations of the people in Agaie, like in many other places, varies based on factors such as geography, available resources, and historical developments. However, in many Nigerian communities, including those in Niger State where Agaie is located, there are common occupational patterns. Some of the basic occupations for people in Agaie  includes: Agriculture: Many communities in Niger State, including Agaie, engage in agriculture. The region's fertile land supports the cultivation of crops such as millet, sorghum, maize, yams, cassava, potato, rice and other staples. Livestock Farming: Animal husbandry, including the rearing of cattle, goats, and sheep, is a common occupation in many Nigerian communities, and Agaie is not left out. Livestock farming provides not only food but also materials such as hides and skins. Trading: Given Agaie's position within a broader economic network, trade is likely to be a significant occupation. Majority of the People involved ...

  Agaie is a town in Niger State, Nigeria. Niger State, where Agaie is located, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The area has been inhabited by various ethnic groups, and its history is closely tied to the broader history of Nigeria. The pre-colonial period saw the rise of various kingdoms and empires in the region, such as the Songhai Empire and the Kanem-Bornu Empire. These empires were influential in trade, culture, and governance. During the colonial era, Nigeria came under British rule, and the territories that make up present-day Niger State were part of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. The colonial period significantly impacted the social, economic, and political structures of the region. After gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria went through a series of political changes and regional reconfigurations. Niger State was created in 1976 when the former Northwestern State was divided into Niger and Sokoto states. Minna, another town in Niger State, became...

Agaie is situated at about 37 kilometers east of present Bida town in Niger State. It is the capital of Agaie Emirate and the headquarters of the present Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State. Natives of the town and other Nupe-speaking people of Nigeria simply call it "Gaie" and pronounced as Gaye. Agaie town lies in the valley situated between 3 Rivers: Gbakogi River, Eyangi River, and Echingi. The Eyangi flows in the Northwest direction, the Gbakogi flows in the Southwest direction and the Echingi flows in the northwestern direction. As an island, the town is surrounded by rivers and a narrow belt of swamps formed by them. the River Gbakogi flows throughout the year and regularly overflows its banks during the rainy season, the other two rivers are seasonal as they dry up completely during the dry season, sometimes partially.  These rivers provide a vast land for farming. The lowland areas are used for the cultivation of rice, sugar cane, potatoes, and sometimes yams ...

According to Mason 1970, Agaie existed in a region that was far from any major Muslim political Occupation. It was founded in an area that was rather a province than the center of any pre-Jihad political system.  Agaie, in its early historical development, was saved from the interference of the rulers of neighboring; foreign, or indigenous. No existing traditional cities any invasion of Agaie. The inhabitants mainly engage in hunting, Farming, and dyeing activities through which they earn a living. They practiced IDOL worship and the name of their principal idol was WANZAYA, which post-fulani Agaie people referred to as "Kuti Wanzaya" The pre-Fulani Agaie society was structured on social status beginning with the royal class and followed by the non-royal mobility, the affluent, and then the peasants. Slaves were at the bottom of the ladder. Traditional Tittles existed in the pre-Fulani political administration of Agaie, some of which were later adopted in the Fulani dynasty o...