Nupoid languages

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July 16, 2026

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Nupoid languages are a group of approximately 17 languages spoken north and west of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers in Nigeria. The largest Nupoid languages include Nupe, Gbagyi, and Ebira, each with around one million speakers. The Nupe people, who speak one of these languages, are known for their organized territorial groups and traditional crafts such as glass beads, leatherwork, mat work, and fine cloth. While most Nupe people are now Muslim, older rituals are still practiced alongside their indigenous beliefs in a sky god and ancestral spirits. Nupoid languages are part of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family.123

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Benue-Congo languages
Nupoid
The largest of the approximately 17 Nupoid languages are Nupe (1,000,000), Gbagyi (700,000), and Ebira (1,000,000). They are spoken in the area north and west of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.
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The largest of the approximately 17 Nupoid languages are Nupe (1,000,000), Gbagyi (700,000), and Ebira (1,000,000). They are spoken in the area north and west of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.
Read More