Gade people

Gade people, also known as BÀBYẸ̀, are one of the ethnic groups in Nigeria. They can be found in Kano State, Kogi State, Lagos State, Jigawa State, Niger State, Kwara State, Niger State, Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and Nassarawa. The Gadé language belongs to GADOID language Classification Scheme. Gade is considered one of the ancient and oldest languages, not just in Nigeria but also in Germany, China, Togo, England, France just to mention but a few (This was as a result of slave trading that rocked the world), (GT Obadiah, 2023) and also one of the existing language in Nigeria that have some of its earlier History written and documented in Greek Language. The Gade people arrived at the present day Nigeria around 36,000 BCE with codified Philosophy and religion called Gaboism and Gomoism. The Gaboism consist of Norms, philosophy, education, Values, Laws and Mores, Traditions and Worships while the Gomoism have to do with rulership and leadership structure in all Gade Nations. These religions are still paramount and practicing till today. The Supreme Court in Gade Nations is called Ụdáá gbòngbòńkí headed by the Gómó and some Bátsákpá during proceedings and the system of Administration or Governance in Gade Nations is called Constitutional Mornachy (it could be written or unwritten as the case maybe) in a Confederate Society. Importantly, The Gade Native Speakers are called Bábyẹ̀ (Bàbyẹ̀ is the coded name for Gade) and the style of speaking and writing GADE is called Rìbyẹ̀ which is literally mean Phonetics. A Gademan/Gadewoman is called Byēní. Ụbyēní/Ụbyēnú is used when referring to the Gademan/Gadewoman while Bàbyẹ̀ is the plural form of byēní.

In Nigeria for example, Gade can be found in Niger State, FCT Abuja, Nasarawa State, Kogi State, Benue State, Kaduna State, Jigawa State, Kwara State and Oyo State. The Gade in Kaduna State, Jigawa State, Kwara State and Oyo State (D.T. Adalkhali, 2017) had since relegated the speaking of Gade language but they proudly identified themselves as Gade. (GT Obadiah, 2023). O. TEMPLE summarizes Gade home land in his note on “TRIBE PROVINCES, EMIRATES AND STATE OF THE NORTHERN NIGERIA” as “The traditional home of the Gade is between River Suma (Osman Dam in FCT in Bwari), Keffi, and the Northwest of Nasarawa division where some Gade leader build the local hut (gụvǔ) and gradually become a town in the year between 1352-1360 AD. Throughout history, Gade are known for wars and conquest and were never defeated at any war in the history of mankind. The original and ancient name of the tribe is Gad (but was renamed or fashioned as Gadé during the International Population Census that was conducted by the Portuguese and British Foreigners in the Ancient Gade Territories around the NOK Culture which is traced before 200 A.D.) where the religious theory of Evolution propounded can be used to proof my assertions. There are so many wrongful origins as regards to the name "Gade" but in this text, I will give a detailed and scholarly views on the subject matter instead of presenting a beer parlour analysis to a global forefront. Numerous Gade Empires existed until the coming of foreign governments into the present day Nigeria. But before Gade settled in the present Nigeria, there were lot of indigenous minds and figures that were promoting the interest of Gade and the community at large. It should be noted that there is no single Gade Empire, but Gade Empires because each community is sovereign and independent (democratic) in every areas of life. The major Gade Empires were Úgbádà Empire, Ikị empire, Kụjé empire, Masaka empire, Gúdígè (Gaduge) Empire, Gádábúké Empires, Aṣam, Màtèmá Empires, Képí Empires, Karmo Empires, Unapé Empires, Tiyékí Empires, Wuse Empires, Uké Empires, Binda Empires, Ara Empires, Dansa Empires (Fallen), Kàrụ empire, Masaka empire, Rafinpaa empire, Gamade empire Gafati - Gafaki Empires, just to mention but a few. Other minor empires can coexist within the same geographical features but independent and sovereign with equality and status compared to other major empires. In this section, we are going to list some of the notable Kingdoms that were flourishing in terms of Philosophy, science and technology, Information and communication systems, just to mention but a few.

The Origin

The word "Gade" is a natural Gade word and a military coded name of the Gade People right from Dark Age, Stone Age, and prehistory. According to written sources, The Gade people migrated to the present day Nigeria around 36,000 B.C.E. and first settled in Aṣam/Aṣham which is literally means "Garden" and around the Képí Keffi around 12,000 B.C.E. There are three school of thought about the origin of the Gade People. These school of thoughts are: Gaboic Theory of Evolution propounded by GT Obadiah in 2015, Ádákpụ́ Mythological theory, and Religious Theories. In 10 BC, some sections of the Gade People (most especially of the Southern Gade dialect) migrated and settled in the then Kano State now Jigawa State as a result of religious and political exile. Thus, the name Gade is not the making of the Hausa people. However, the death of their leader, Gakingakuma, who publicly denounced the practice of gaboism (Gábó religion) of the Gade People led to the dispersal of the tribe to different territories. Currently, the Gade people are located in Abuja, Niger and Nasarawa States.

The Gadé people were the first to settled in the main central district of Abuja which was formerly called Abakpa around 12,000 B.C.E. Notably, there are some cities that derived their original form from the Gade Language. These include Wùsé, Mátèmá, Gẹyěkí until they (Mátèmá and Gẹyěkí) were mispronounced as Maitama and Garki by non-Gades speaking people (especially the Hausas, Christian Missionaries) around 1800 A.D. Etymologically, Wùsé means 'Drink carefully', while Mátèmá means 'Do that occasionally", and Geyeki is a hard tree. Similarly, before 1800 AD, the Gade People has settled in the present day Keffi which was etymologically derived from a natural Gade word ""'Kepi'"" and mispronounced as Keffi in early mid 18th Century AD by the Hausa invaders from Katsina State. Similar nomenclature abounds in Nasarawa town which was coined from an existing Gade word ""NA SA WA "" meaning ""You will definitely get it"" from 12,000 B.C.E.

Occupation

Occupation 'gàtìmẹ̀' of the Gade People varies proportionally according to the norms and traditions of the Language. Before the contemporary history of humankind, the Gade people were known for hunting activities 'ụ̀nọ̀ gá zụ', blacksmithing 'Gapya', mining 'Ikụ́ zà', farming 'ụ̀nọ̀, fishing and salesmanship 'gịgë'. The occupation is grouped according to gender classification; feminine and masculine occupation and these occupation all centered on the type of education (formal and informal education system in Gadeland). Gademen are known for farming and hunting while women are known for basket weaving and clothes making.

Language

Gade people speak Gade language. and there are three dialects of GADÉ Language namely; Bàpọ̀nụ́ dialect, Northern dialect and Southern dialect. The Gadé language belongs to Gadoid or Babyoid Language classification scheme and not Nupoid Language

The Religion

The ancient and modern religion of the Gade People is referred to as Gábó or otherwise, gaboism. There is a difference between Gabo and gobo but most people are mistaken the two to mean one thing. Gobo in its actual meaning, means 'Secret Society'. The Gábó has to do with the belief systems of the Gade People in medicine, medication, drugs, chemical, and worship. This religion existed before the penetration of Islam and Christianity

Annual Gade Cultural Festival

This is an annual festival where the Gade people from far and near gathered to celebrate their culture and belief. The annual Gade Festival came into existence around 10th Century A.D. The first Annual Festival was held in Keffi with cultural troops from all the Gade Communities in their Ádákpụ́, Zịzí Nūbá, Bégu, nbó, magicians (Rubochi), just to mention but a few. This is out of the gap as various Gadé Communities are engaged with their domestic cultural Identity and integration. The festival involves the display of cultural antiquities such as; Adakpu, War Music, Masquerade of different functions.