Gade people, also known as Babye people, are one of the ethnic groups in Nigeria. They can be found in Niger State, Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and Nassarawa.[1][2]

Origin

The word "Gade" originated from the distorted version of Ngade, which means 'I said'. It was corrupted by the Hausa speakers who wanted to differentiate between Gade and Mazugawe.[3] Gade's people can be traced to a farming tribe called Adakpu. They migrated from the Congo-Niger Basin through Sudan to Kano in search for a fertile land to farm in 1068 AD during the era of Tsamiya (Emir of Kano). In Kano, they occupied Gadawur territory which is known as the present day Jigawa State.[1]

However, the death of their leader, Gakingakuma, led to the dispersal of the tribe to different territories. Currently, the Gade people are located in Abuja, Niger and Nasarawa States.[2]

Occupation

Gade's men are known for farming and hunting while women are known for basket weaving and clothes making.[3]

Language

Gade people speak Gade language.[1]

Annual Gade Cultural Festival

This is an annual festival where the Gade people from far and near gathered to celebrate their culture and belief.[2]

The festival involves the display of cultural antiquities such as;

Adakpu Masquerade

It is usually the first masquerade to be displayed because of its symbolic attribution to the historical migration of the Gade people from Congo-Niger Basin.[3]

Egede war dancers' masquerades

Symbolic war dacing masquerades that are used to either announce a coming war or to celebrate war victory.[3]

Zurunuba Masquerade

It is the strongest masquerade among the Gade people. His power is drawn from his energetic dancing display.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Onyeakagbu, Adaobi (2018-10-09). "A brief walk into the lives of this ethnic group". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gade culture resurrects at dazzling festival". Daily Trust. 2018-05-09. Archived from the original on 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gade festival: Mysticism, masquerades, culture on display". The Sun Nigeria. 2018-05-09. Archived from the original on 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
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