The Nupe, traditionally called the Tapa by the neighbouring Yoruba, are an ethnic group located primarily in the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria. They are the dominant group in Niger State, an important minority in Kwara State and present in Kogi State as well. The Nupe trace their origin to Tsoede who fled the court of Idah and established a loose confederation of towns along the Niger in the 15th century. Many Nupe were converted to Islam at the end of the 18th century by Mallam Dendo, a wandering preacher, and were incorporated into the Fulani Empire established by the Jihad led by Uthman dan Fodio after 1806. However, the traditions of Nupe were retained, hence the ruler of Nupe is the Etsu Nupe rather than being called Emir. The city of Bida fell to the colonialist British forces in 1897; the Etsu, Abubakar, was deposed and replaced by the more pliable Muhammadu. There are probably about 3.5 million Nupes, principally in Niger State. The Nupe language is also spoken in Kwara and Kogi States. They are primarily Muslims, with a few Christians and followers of African Traditional Religion. The Nupe people have various traditions and still hold on to some of their culture which is very similar to that of ancient Egypt. Their art is often abstract. They are well known for their wooden stools with patterns carved onto the surface. The Nupe are described in detail by the ethnographer Siegfried Nadel, whose book, Black Byzantium, remains an anthropological classic. #historyville