Bussa

Bussa was one of the three major kingdoms of Borgu, a confederation split between what are at that time northwestern Nigeria and northern Benin. The other principal members were Illo, the commercial centre, and Nikki, the centre of political power. Bussa held a special place as the confederation's spiritual centre and was traditionally regarded as the older brother of the other Borgu rulers, even though its practical authority extended mainly over some weaker neighbours.

The shared Kisra legend and the Gaani harvest festival helped bind these distinct kingdoms together. Borgu's economy rested on yam and sorghum farming. From the sixteenth century, routes carrying kola from Gonja and Ashanti country toward Hausaland crossed the region, and Wangara merchants dominated much of the long-distance trade.

Bussa itself faced repeated pressure from Songhai: campaigns in the 1490s, 1505, 1558 and 1563 attacked or briefly occupied the kingdom. After Songhai's collapse, Oyo reduced much of Borgu to vassalage until 1783, though tribute continued to 1818.