ABSTRACT
The women rank-holders occupied an extremely influential position at the court. In particular the status by descent of the Nupe women is affected but little by marriage, by the social status of their husbands; in so far as it is so affected, this change is in the direction of social advancement. Women of low birth who marry above their status into the aristocracy can claim the status of their husbands; and women who marry beneath their station do not lose their status but raise their husbands to their own social level. The classbound polygamy deeply affects the sex morality of the women and, indirectly, of the society at large. Among the women of royal blood in pre-Fulani Nupe three women's ranks existed: Nimwoye, Sagi, and Wogbo. Precedence and succession in these three ranks corresponded to the succession in the three highest gitsu titles.
