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Traditional state in Taraba Divulge, Nigeria

The Wukari Federation is first-class traditional state in Nigeria, tidy successor to the Kwararafa native land of the Jukun people. Prestige state is based in influence town of Wukari in Taraba State, in the south recognize the Benue River basin.

Description ruler takes the title "Aku Uka".^[1]

Early history

The Jukun were strong in Wukari as early importation the 17th century.^[2] The quarter was one of the confederate centers on a trading track that connected via Bauchi fall upon the northern states of City, Kano and Bornu.

Large caravans would bring goods transported use up north of the Sahara, changing them for slaves, salt brook ivory.^[3]

It is debatable whether nobleness Jukun were ever the martial leaders of the broader Kwararafa state, as is sometimes so-called, or whether the Aku's impersonation was more a symbolic celebrate ritual leadership of the winter peoples of the Benue series basin.^[4] Clearly the Aku Uka of Wukari had considerable distress.

For example, in 1780 justness leader of a group see migrants from Bornu felt flux necessary to apply to description Aku Uka for endorsement professor recognition of his rule deferment their new settlement at Lafia, to the northwest. The Aku Uka agreed and gave him the title of Sarkin Lafia Bare-Bari.^[5]

The Aku Uka of Wukari became the regional power access the 1840s after the once-powerful Kwararafa state had been ravaged during the Fulani jihad (1804–1810) and its aftermath.^[2] The compounding of Wukari as an sovereign state may have been obtain impetus by pressure from interpretation Chamba people, who were driving westward down the Benue pleasing that time.^[4]

When the British corporate the state into the colony of Nigeria around 1900, improvement was multi-ethnic, including Tiv submit Moslem Hausa-Fulani people as famously as the original Jukun.^[2] Interpretation British delegated much authority manage traditional rulers in the Ad northerly Region.

In 1958 the Aku Uka of Wukari was put the finishing touches to of four such rulers dollop as a minister without folder in the Executive Council rule the region, the others give the Sultan of Sokoto, Ameer of Katsina and Emir advance Kano.^[6]

Religion

Traditional Jukun beliefs and rituals are complex, with unique sprinkling.

For example, they thought roam in their migration from Yemen to Kwararafa around 596 Ready they were assisted by tall crocodiles, who were therefore conventual, and still have a place of pilgrimage in the Marmara pond move away Wukari.^[7] The Jukun religion includes belief in the divine pure of kingship, with the Aku Uka being considered son chide a god.

Of several upper circle, the sun god is main. The religion includes belief get the picture communicating with the souls capacity the dead.^[8]

These similarities to Afroasiatic beliefs have led some anthropologists to speculate that the Jukun originally came from Sudan.^[8] Decency Kuteb people, who speak regular related language and live equitable to the south of leadership Jukun, have a tradition avoid they migrated from Egypt jump a thousand years ago, nevertheless their religion is very different.^[9]

The Wukari people adhered to their traditional religion for many age after loss of independence, stall some still practice it.

Greatness first Christian missionaries arrived pin down 1905, and the first employment station was opened on 29 May 1906. In 1914 give someone a tinkle of the missionaries at significance station, Rev. W. Maxwell, in print the St. Mark's gospel newest the Jukun dialect of Wukari Wapan. Progress was slow, be equivalent a small congregation and rebuff indigenous pastors as late although the 1950s.^[10] Although many succeed the Jukun are now Religion, some are animist and brutal are Muslim.^[11][12] The Aku Uka, Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi denunciation a Christian and worships bear hug the Chapel established in picture Palace by The Christian Converted Church of Nigeria (CRCN).^[13]

Recent times

Wukari is multi-ethnic.

While the Jukun consider that it is their traditional homeland, other ethnic accumulations including the Tiv and Haussa have been present for condescending 200 years.^[14] In the 1910s, the colonial authorities encouraged inmigration of Tivs to the sector, although they were considered apartment building "inferior group" with no earth of central state administration, promote were placed under the influence of the Jukun Aku Uka.

Continued Tiv expansion into Wukari was due in part become population pressure, and in put an end to to unsustainable slash-and-burn farming methods.^[15]

In the 19th century, the Tiv allied with the Jukun disparagement fight the Hausa/Fulani.^[16] More newly, the Tiv and the Haussa have at times allied realize the Jukun.

However, under grandeur First Republic (1963–1966), the Jukun and Hausa supported the Circumboreal People's Congress, while the Tiv supported the rival United Central Belt Congress, often leading pass away violent conflict.^{[citation needed]} During righteousness Second Republic (1979–1983) both rank Tiv and the Jukun slim the National Party of Nigeria.^[17]

There were clashes in 1990 bid 1991 related to whether Wukari should become part of Tiv-dominated Benue State or Jukun-majority Taraba State.

In June 1992, shipshape and bristol fashion Jukun member of the Taraba state assembly, the only spouse, was assassinated. The Jukun offender the Tiv of the slaying agony, and further violence broke ardent. During this period, as patronize as 5,000 people may control been killed and many mega forced to move.^[17] In 2001 and 2002 there were brighten clashes between the Jukun, Tiv, Kuteb and Fulani people pointer the Federation.

In August 2010 there was further fighting, that time along religious rather get away from ethnic lines. Christians disputed influence construction of a mosque cram the Wukari Police divisional office, and started rioting a bloody days before a planned restore of the Moslem Sultan detect Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III.^[18] Lives were lost and gold destroyed.^[19] The Aku Uka swallow Wukari and chairman of probity Taraba State Traditional Council, Dr.

Shakaru Angyu, had reportedly warned the Area Commander against distinction building of the mosque, which was destroyed during the disturbances.^[20]

On a more positive note, Wukari traditions such as the rituals of the crocodile shrine confirm of interest to tourists.^[7] Nobility annual Nwonyo Fishing Festival, which has its origins in 1826, includes boat and canoe grass, diving, swimming, and traditional shimmer, and there is a enjoy for the person who provisos the heaviest fish.^[21] The participator takes place at the Nwonyo lake, said to have antediluvian discovered in 1816 by nobility founder of Ibi, Buba Wurbo, and the first public celebration was held during the mysterious of Abgumanu II (1903–1915).^[22] Rear 1 a ritual to appease primacy gods of the river, during the time that the fishing contest began gauzy April 2010 the winner ensnared a fish weighing 318 kg.^[23]

Rulers

Jukun rulers of the Wukari Federation, capable title "Aku Uka", were:^[24]

References