ABSTRACT

Africa fell under two tremendous influences: Arab and European. These contacts triggered the Trans-Saharan and Trans-Atlantic trades, socio-cultural exchanges and subsequent colonisation. However, one of the effects of these is the denigration of African cultures. This cultural denigration confers Arab-European socio-cultural superiority over Africa's cultures, and consequently institutionalizes the dual personalities into the Africans. This study adopted the historical and descriptive methods. Data were gathered through participant and nonparticipant observation and secondary sources. The paper examined the effects of ArabEuropean encounters on Nupe cultural heritages in Nupeland, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study discovered that in most Nupe communities, Islam had appropriated African Traditional Religion (ATR). Nupe heritages such as Ndakogboya, GuguEyagi, and Gunnuwere being exploited to serve the interest of Muslims during Islamic festivals even though they are usually condemned as paganism, worthless, and things that should be eliminated. Arab-European encounters had resulted in hatred for Nupe cultural heritages and a divided Nupe identity. Thus, Nupe Muslims and Christians alike now reject Nupe mode of dressing for the Islamic and Christian attires. Religious competition between Nupe Muslims and Christians had further reinforced mutual mistrust between them.The paper contends that the socio-cultural interactions between the Africans and the foreigners have created a culture of dependency on Arab-European cultures rather than a partnership that is mutually enriching. The study recommends a Nupe cultural renaissance, preservation and transmission towards the restoration of Nupe culture.