YORUBA AND ITS NEIGHBOUR...Nupe's Example The Nupe people also fondly called Tapa by their Yoruba neighbour are predominantly in Niger and commonplace in Kwara and Kogi states.All in the middlebelt of Nigeria. The Nupe people historically are cousins to the Yoruba people in the western part of Nigeria. They share similarities in culture, tradition and linguidtic group.(Benue-Congo group)with their Yoruba kins.(the Igbomina People)For Many centuries, there had been a cultural cross-fertilisation via trade and conflict between Nupe and Yoruba people.It has been interesting to note that , Sango’s brother once invaded the Nupe people during his reign as the king of Oyo, the Etsu-Nupe, known then to the Yoruba as Lajomo, fought back strongly and the evidence of that historical event could be traced to Ede and Ilesha and the conquest of Oyo Empire. However, events of the following years showed that the relationship between the Nupe people and, the Yoruba became to be cordial. This explains the introduction of Igunnuko into Yoruba land by the Nupe. Subsequently, with the introduction of Islam into Nupe Land, it equally spread fast to the neighbouring Yoruba towns like Offa and Ibolo communities.Nupe servants to leading Yoruba chiefs were treated with cordiality. A prominent example was the Tapa Oshodi, the servant of Kosoko, the King of Lagos, who recognised or treated slaves as free natives. Hence, the Nupes in Yoruba land made themselves at home throughout the 19th century. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Tapa Oshodi’s name has become a popular or household name in Lagos and beyond.It is equally worthy to note that, the Oranmiyan dynasty was established in old Oyo which was the admnistrative headquarters of Yoruba land through inter marriage between Nupe and Yoruba race.Oranmiyan,a grandson of Oduduwa, the Yoruba progenitor, married Elempe ,the Nupe King's daughter, according to legend,Sango,the powerful and fearsome god of thunder was their son...