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Confederacy · 1450–1898

Borgu

Bussa and Nikki

A loose confederacy of Bariba and Busa kingdoms led by Bussa, its sacred seat, Nikki, its centre of power, and Illo, its market, with Kaiama, Parakou, Kandi, Kouande and others beside them.

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At a glance

When did the Borgu exist?
From 15th century to 1898. It was at its height around 1783.
What was the capital of the Borgu?
Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake).
What was the ruler of the Borgu called?
Kings of Bussa, Nikki and Illo (Kisra lineage).
What happened to the Borgu?
Borgu was split in 1898.
Who lives in the lands of the Borgu today?
Kambari, Bariba (Baatombu), Boko, Bokobaru, Busa (Bisã)

Overview

A loose confederacy of Bariba and Busa kingdoms led by Bussa, its sacred seat, Nikki, its centre of power, and Illo, its market, with Kaiama, Parakou, Kandi, Kouande and others beside them. Its ruling warrior class, the Wasangari, traced their kings to the hero Kisra, a legend that probably remembers horsemen who conquered the country in the 15th century and that set Borgu apart from its Muslim neighbours. Borgu withstood Songhai and Nupe, sheltered Oyo's exiled kings, then spent two centuries as Oyo's vassal before winning its freedom in 1783. Its army died with Oyo's at Ilorin in 1837, and in 1898 Britain and France split it along today's Nigeria–Benin border.[2],[1]Medium confidence

Through the centuries

  1. c. 1450

    The Kisra kingdoms

    Borgu tradition says Kisra, a rival of the Prophet driven from Arabia, led his people to the Niger; his sons founded Bussa (Woru), Nikki (Shabi) and Illo (Bio), parting at Gunji. Before them Borgu's villages lived by lineage and rarely fought. Historians read the legend as the memory of mounted invaders of the 15th century, whose descendants, the Wasangari, ruled as a warrior class bound by mutual defence.[2],[1]Medium confidence

    Capital: Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake)

  2. 1490s–1563

    Songhai's wars

    Sunni Ali of Songhai wins a crushing victory over Borgu at Gwangwarake in the 1490s. Askia Muhammad returns in 1505, perhaps to convert the pagan Wasangari or to control the Wangara trade roads; the campaign is hard, his army suffers serious defeats, but it briefly holds Bussa and takes high-ranking captives to Gao. Askia Daud ravages Bussa again in 1558 and 1563.[2]High confidence

    Capital: Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake)

  3. c. 1535–1591

    Refuge for Oyo

    When Nupe crushes Oyo, Alaafin Onigbogi takes refuge in Borgu. His successor Ofinran builds a new capital at Igboho, and the two peoples form an alliance against Nupe that teaches Oyo to fight on horseback.[2],[3]High confidence

    Capital: Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake)

  4. 1591–1783

    Oyo's vassal

    Once Songhai falls in 1591, Oyo turns on its old ally and makes much of Borgu its vassal. In the mid-18th century Dahomey attacks Borgu and is driven off.[2]Medium confidence

    Capital: Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake)

    The degree of Oyo control is debated.

  5. 1783–1835

    Gberegburu: free of Oyo

    In 1783 Borgu defeats Alaafin Abiodun's army at Gberegburu; Oyo loses the equivalent of eleven generals and their men. Borgu is free, though it keeps sending tribute to Oyo until 1818. Fulani raids begin to reach it as the jihad takes Ilorin.[2],[3]High confidence

    Capital: Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake)

  6. 1835–1894

    Death at Ilorin, and division

    Alaafin Oluewu calls on Borgu to help him drive the Muslims from Ilorin. Sero Kpera of Nikki leads the Bariba with the kings of Kaiama and Wawa and a prince for Bussa. On the first day they drive Ilorin's army back to its walls; on the second, Ilorin's horse turns their flank, and Sero Kpera, the Alaafin and the leaders of Wawa and Kaiama all fall. Borgu stays free of the Fulani, but its princes drift apart, outlying chiefs seize the trade, and caravans are raided.[4],[2]High confidence

    Capital: Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake)

  7. 1894–1898

    The race for Nikki

    Britain and France race to sign treaties with the king of Nikki in 1894. The French occupy Illo; the British West African Frontier Force posts men at Yashikera. In 1898 the Anglo-French Convention splits Borgu: the east goes to Northern Nigeria, the west to French Dahomey.[2]High confidence

    Capital: Bussa (old town, now under Kainji Lake)

Wars, treaties and turning points

Today

Emir of Borgu, New Bussa

Borgu was split in 1898. Old Bussa was drowned by Kainji Lake in 1968; the Emir of Borgu now reigns at New Bussa, Niger State, and the King of Nikki in the Republic of Benin.[2]High confidence

Its people

Bariba (Baatombu), Busa (Bisã)

Living in its lands today

Peoples whose homelands lie inside its lands at its height, by number of LGAs.

Kambari, Bariba (Baatombu), Boko, Bokobaru, Busa (Bisã)

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Kisra legend
  2. Wikipedia contributors. Borgu
  3. Wikipedia contributors. Oyo Empire
  4. Wikipedia contributors. Battle of Ilorin
  5. Stewart, Marjorie Helen. (1993). Borgu and Its Kingdoms: A Reconstruction of a Western Sudanese Polity. Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)