ABSTRACT
The Nupe, speaking a number of related dialects, number about 360,000, and consist of the inhabitants of Bida Emirate, Niger Province, together with several politically separate sections. They do not form a territorially united group and, although every Nupe should extend hospitality to his fellow-tribesmen, they are not characterized by close internal cohesion. There is considerable variety of custom among the various “ sub-tribes.” Outstanding common features are: the cycle of myths of the culture-hero Tsoede, the observation of the gunnu ritual, belief in the supreme sky-god Soko, and the general structure of political ranks, age-sets, kin* ship system, and marriage rules.1
