History of Archery

Horsemanship and archery have deep roots in Nigerian history. The histories of the area that became Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria and to some extent, Southwest Nigeria were shaped by kings and rulers who used cavalry or horse soldiers for building kingdoms and empires. The Hausa City states of Kano, Zaria and Gobir were known to maintain horse armies.

Earlier on, the rulers of ancient Songhai (the askias) were known to have used cavalry to establish control over the Hausa City states. Kanem-Bornu in North East Nigeria first ruled by the mais of Bornu and later the Kanemis used mounted troops protected by quilted armor. The wars of the Sokoto Caliphate were fought on horseback. Archery has even deeper roots in Nigeria. Though deeply ingrained in the warfare and hunting traditions of Nigeria, the use of the bow and arrow was not unknown even in the South-West and South-East.

It was in Northern Nigeria however that the bow and arrow had more universal uses. In some Northern Nigerian communities with royal titles and offices were created to honor archers. In North Central Nigeria, bows and arrows were vital for the defence of communities involved in struggles to maintain their independence from the mounted forces of the North West and North East.