Borgu

Borgu was a savanna region west of the lower Niger. In 1337 its Bariba inhabitants lived in lineage villages, before the arrival of the Wasangari horsemen.

In the fifteenth century the Wasangari established kingdoms including Nikki. Songhai attacked in the 1490s but was defeated at Gwangwarake. After 1591 Oyo made much of Borgu tributary; victory at Gberegburu in 1783 restored independence, though tribute continued until 1818. In 1837 Nikki's king Siru Kpera fell fighting the Muslims of Ilorin.