Analytical Study of the Research Gap in Documentation of Nupe Performance Traditions in Niger State

Nupe performance traditions in Niger State constitute a rich body of artistic heritage that is inadequately documented in Nigerian theatre scholarship, and systematically assessing this gap provides a basis for targeted research and preservation investment. This study analytically examined the research gap in documentation of Nupe traditional performance in Niger State through systematic literature review and field-based gap assessment. A systematic scoping review of seven databases identified only 8 publications from 2018 to 2024 specifically addressing Nupe performance, of which 5 provided only brief descriptive mentions rather than substantive analysis. Primary field assessment in Bida, Lapai, and Gbako Local Government Areas comprised interviews with 20 Nupe performance practitioners, 8 cultural administrators, and 6 university ethnographers with experience in the region. Field assessment documented 14 distinct Nupe performance genres of which only 3 had any published documentation. Custodian elders for 4 performance genres were identified as the sole remaining practitioners. Audio-visual documentation existed for only 1 genre. University coverage of Nupe performance in drama curricula was absent across all surveyed institutions. The study identifies seven priority research directions and proposes a Niger State Nupe Performance Documentation Research Agenda as an original contribution. Recommendations include TETFUND research grants for documentation projects, Niger State Culture and Tourism collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University's Institute for Cultural Studies, and urgent engagement with identified sole-custodian elders.

Keywords: Nupe performance traditions, Niger State, documentation gap, cultural heritage, ethnographic research