Empirical evidences & historical records reveal that "Babye" better
known as "Gade" are of "Maguzawa" origin who had migrated from the
Western Sudan to Kano & settle at a place called "Gadawar" in the
present Jigawa State in 1068 A.D. The migration was in search of
farmland.
The name Gade was a corruption of the Gade word "Ngade"
meaning "I said". The Hausa people who wanted to distinguis between Gade
& Maguzawa in Kano adopted the name Gade. There are several written
source pertaining to the origin of Gade people & their migration.
Traditional had it that the Gade people were part & parcel of the
Kwararafa lineage. The Gade had migrated from Kano & traveled
South-eastwards to join the Jukuns who were also migrate southwards. The
evidence of the presence & setlement of Gade people in Kano is
their salt industry called "GISHIRIN GADE". The Gade under their
powerful leader called "GAKUNGAKIMA".
In the course of their migration, they joined other
Kwararafa lineage such as Jukuns,Igala,Alago,Afo,Korn & Egburra. As a
result, there was scramble for suitable farmland.
The Gade first
settled at the present day Doma in Doma L.G.A & later moved to
westwards probably due to leadership tussle with the Alago to settle at
their present places of abode in 1750. While moving out of Doma a
section of Gade decided to break away & moved eastwards across the
River Benue to se
ttle in the present
idoma land & now bear the name "IGEDE". The Gade begun to establish
themselves over a vast empty land aroud the present Keffi area.
According to MR. H.E PALMER C.B.G, in his book tittle: "HISTORY OF
NORTHERN NIGERIA TRIBES, KINGDOMS AND CHIEFDOMS" "the original
inhabitants of of the country that is those occuping the land at the
time of the earliest records were the GADE AND YESKWA".
This was
re-affirmed by S.J Hogben, in his book titled: "THE ISLAMIC STATES OF
NORTHERN NIGERIA", (PAGES 302-307). Its therefore quite clear tha the Gade had already settled
comfortably in this land hundreds of years b/4 the invasion from Zaria
by Abdul Zanga, Keffi, 1802; Makama Dogo, Nasarawa, 1835 & Abu
Danja, Abuja, 1838. Another Colonial Administrator, Mr. T.E Leachworth,
in his report on: "THE GADE TRIBE IN NASARAWA STATE", Dated 20 June,
1936, stated that: "The Gade tribe occupy the North-West corner of
Nasarawa Emirate, Gwargwalada District & extend a few miles".
The
report
further indicated that "the area
is homever, compact and the boundaries are well defined". Major J.E.C
Blakeney & Mr.W.Morgan,"The traditional home of the Gade is between
River Suma (Keffi) & North West of Nasarawa Division where they were
situated b/4 1750". The Gade have always been friends of Kolo (Abokin
Wasa). From 1750-1801 the Gade Kingdom under the "Gomo" had flourished
& grew stronger b/4 arrival of Hausa invaders on horse raide the
Gade settlements & consequently establish supremacy with their flag
from Usman Danfodio.
B/4 the arrival of Hausa invaders from Katsina & Zazzau, the
Kingdom was flourishing & was comparable to the Nupe, Opanda &
Igala Kingdoms.
The Gade had ancient city walls (Ganuwa) which fortified
them against external attack. It's on record that no Gade settlement
was conquered by the invaders, rather a treaty was made by individual
independent Gade Chiefs. Such treaties were made to protect the chief
against external aggression. The Gade under their Gomo paid tributes
to Zaria. To buttress this, Mr. Leachworth rightly pointed out that:
"in any case Kujekwa (in Gwargwada District) & Sabye, Odu(Iki) &
Karmu in Nasarawa District were never subjugated & no agreement
reached by Ahmadu were with the individual villages & that there was
no agreement with a general Gade Council or Assembly. When the British
colonial master arrived, a pseudo-emirate system was established in
compliance with the Indirect Rule System. To quote Mr. Leachworth, "up
till 1913 tribute was collect more & there was no district administration in the strict sense of the word. Complaints
were heard & deal with as they arose.
The FADAN GADE DISTRICT was
created in 1913 with initial headquarters at Gwargwada & a Prince
from Beni Makama Dogo Ahmadu was made the first District Head. In the
same vein, KUJE DISTRICT in Niger Province was created in 1913 under the
GOMO KUJE.The District Head Fadan Gade District was however, deposed in
1924 for embezzling fifty pounds (£50) tax money & for three
(3) months, the village Head of Gwargwada acted as District Head. It
was later proposed that the Gade units of Karmu, Odu & Sabye
hitherto in Nasarawa District should be included with Gwargwada District
to form a GADE TRIBAL AREA.
Leachworth, believed that they were
allotted to Nasarawa District "probably owing to the fact that they
were not subdued but until relatively late and put under more immediate
control of the Emir". It needs to be pointed out here that the GADE
CHIEFDOM had already been established under the name GWARGWADA DISTRICT, which was later changed to FADAN GADE DISTRICT
from 1936-1970, with the initial headquarters at Gwargwada, then Buga
& later the present Gadabuke. It was therefore no accident of
history that the DISTRICT and the NATIVE COURT, were named Fadan Gade
District & Gade Native Court, respectively.
The Gade whose
main pre-occupation is farming, are endowed with a rich culture. Apart
from talent in music and dances, we have such masquerades as:
Adakpu(Ashama),Zhizhi-nuba,
Lishakpa, Kaka maiwa, Atsanah & Zhizhi-Nukpukpu. Which appear
during festivals, memorial ceremomies and occasions such as the Annual
Gade Cultural Festival.