THE TUNGAZI (SLAVE SETTLEMENT) SYSTEM IN PRE-COLONIAL BIDA EMIRATE: 1857-1901
Abstract
Bida emirate, one of the successor states to Tsoede an Nupe kingdom in the 19th century grew to
become the most successful and powerful of the Nupe emirates despite being last to be
established in 1857. Other emirates established earlier were Tsonga(1810), Lafiagi (1810)
Agaie (1822) and Lapai (1822).1 Bida emirate became the most powerful because of her
strategic central location, territorial space, richer in natural and human resources and above all
blessed with ambitious and astute leadership. The leadership most especially the first three,
namely Usman Zaki (1857-1859), Masaba (1859-1873) and Umaru Majigi (1873-1884) were
key players that made Raba emirate foundation of 1833 to be unsuccessful due to factions, rivalry
and internecine wars that engulfed the area.
