Nri-Igbo
Encyclopedia
Nri is an ancient Igbo
city-state in Anambra State
Nigeria
. The Kingdom of Nri
was a center of learning, religion, and commerce in pre-colonial West Africa
. Historians have compared the significance of Nri, at its peak, to the religious cities of Rome
or Mecca
: it was the seat of a powerful and imperial state that influenced much of the territories inhabited by the Igbo
of Awka
and Onitsha
to the east; the Efik, the Ibibios, and the Ijaws to the South; Nsukka
and southern Igala
to the north; and Asaba
, and the Anioma to the west. The rulers of Nri did not use military conquest, but imposition of religious authority and control of commercial routes as tactics in the spread of their city-state
. Politically, Nri is known to be the most ancient origins of the Eze
kingship in Igbo
societies. But Nri and its rulers were also known for their occultic religious Juju
, an institution that instilled both awe and fear in those who made pilgrimages to the shrine
. Commercially, Nri was against slave holding. "Osu" was the name of outcasts of other communities who migrated and were accepted in Nri. Some Osu became eunuchs. During the colonial period, Nri and the regions under its political, religious, or commercial control became international markets for palm oil. In the heart of Nri influence was the Igbo Ukwu bronze castings.
(founder of Aguleri
) and had migrated to the present day Nri from Anambra (Ama-Mbala) river valley in Northern Igboland. Nri was said to have inherited spiritual powers from his father. The Nri people belong to the Umueri clans who trace their origins to Eri. Northern and Central Igboland, is the homeland of Igbo people.
Speculation starts when one starts to trace the origin of Eri
, and this attracts different theories. In the Nri mythology, Eri descended from the sky, sent by God to make peace (settle disputes and cleanse abominations) and provide Igbo people food (yam and cocoyam) (10). Some historians speculate that Eri may have migrated to the Anambra area out of the Igala
dynasty of central Nigeria. But there is convincing evidence that Onoja Oboli, the founder of the Igala dynasty was actually another son of Eri.
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Igbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
city-state in Anambra State
Anambra State
Anambra is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original 'Oma Mbala', the native name of the Anambra River. The Capital and the Seat of Government is Awka. Onitsha and Nnewi are the biggest commercial and industrial cities, respectively. The state's theme is...
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. The Kingdom of Nri
Kingdom of Nri
The Kingdom of Nri was the West African medieval state of the Nri-Igbo, a subgroup of the Igbo people, and is the oldest kingdom in Nigeria. The Kingdom of Nri was unusual in the history of world government in that its leader exercised no military power over his subjects...
was a center of learning, religion, and commerce in pre-colonial West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. Historians have compared the significance of Nri, at its peak, to the religious cities of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
or Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
: it was the seat of a powerful and imperial state that influenced much of the territories inhabited by the Igbo
Igbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
of Awka
Awka
Awka is the capital of Anambra State, Nigeria with an estimated population of 301,657 Nigerian census. The city is located about 600 miles east of Lagos in the centre of the densely-populated Igbo heartland in southeastern Nigeria...
and Onitsha
Onitsha
Onitsha is a city, a commercial, educational, and religious center and river port on the eastern bank of the Niger river in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria....
to the east; the Efik, the Ibibios, and the Ijaws to the South; Nsukka
Nsukka
Nsukka is a town and Local Government Area in South-East Nigeria in Enugu State. Other towns that share common border with Nsukka, such as Enugu Ezike, Orba and Obollo-Afor , Ede-Oballa, Uzo Uwani and Mkpologwu, now also claim the name Nsukka, hence they all collectively fall into the political...
and southern Igala
Igala
Igala are an ethnic group of Nigeria. Igala practice a number of different religions, including animism, Christianity, and Islam.The home of the Igala people is situated east of the river Niger and Benue confluence and astride the Niger in Lokoja, Kogi state of Nigeria...
to the north; and Asaba
Asaba, Nigeria
Asaba is the capital of Nigeria's Delta State, and has an estimated population of 149,603 .- Etymology :Ahaba in Igbo is from 'Ahabagom', meaning I have chosen well, a quote from the founding father of Asaba.- Geography :...
, and the Anioma to the west. The rulers of Nri did not use military conquest, but imposition of religious authority and control of commercial routes as tactics in the spread of their city-state
City-state
A city-state is an independent or autonomous entity whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as a part of another local government.-Historical city-states:...
. Politically, Nri is known to be the most ancient origins of the Eze
Eze
Eze is an Igbo word which means King; with further implied meaning of chieftain of the tribe or kingdom. Such words as Igwe and Obi plus others are used by Igbo people as titles of respect and homage to the Eze...
kingship in Igbo
Igbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
societies. But Nri and its rulers were also known for their occultic religious Juju
Juju
A Juju is a supernatural power ascribed to an object.Juju may also refer to:-Geography:* Juju , one of seven districts on the island of Rotuma in Fiji* Juju , a village in the district of Juju on the island of Rotuma-Albums:...
, an institution that instilled both awe and fear in those who made pilgrimages to the shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
. Commercially, Nri was against slave holding. "Osu" was the name of outcasts of other communities who migrated and were accepted in Nri. Some Osu became eunuchs. During the colonial period, Nri and the regions under its political, religious, or commercial control became international markets for palm oil. In the heart of Nri influence was the Igbo Ukwu bronze castings.
History
The origin of Nri people is still a subject of much speculation. What we know for sure is that the Nri clan existed from as far back as the 9th century. Nri (the founder of Nri clan) was the son of EriEri
Eri can refer to:* Eri , a Japanese feminine given name* Erie International Airport in Erie, Pennsylvania, IATA airport code* Eri, a biblical figure* Eri , the progenitor of the Nri-Igbo* Eri, a type of silk from Assam, India...
(founder of Aguleri
Aguleri
Aguleri is an ancient kingdom in Southeastern Nigeria. Evidence of urbanization can be dated back to 30 BC. It is located in the present Anambra State, with a population of about 300,000.-Villages:...
) and had migrated to the present day Nri from Anambra (Ama-Mbala) river valley in Northern Igboland. Nri was said to have inherited spiritual powers from his father. The Nri people belong to the Umueri clans who trace their origins to Eri. Northern and Central Igboland, is the homeland of Igbo people.
Origin theory
Igbo mythologySpeculation starts when one starts to trace the origin of Eri
Eri (divine king)
Eri is said to be the original legendary cultural head of the Nri-Igbo, a subgroup of the Igbo people and Godfather of Igbo Civilization. From oral and recorded accounts, he is said to come down from the sky, having been sent by God . Eri settled and established in the middle of Anambra river...
, and this attracts different theories. In the Nri mythology, Eri descended from the sky, sent by God to make peace (settle disputes and cleanse abominations) and provide Igbo people food (yam and cocoyam) (10). Some historians speculate that Eri may have migrated to the Anambra area out of the Igala
Igala
Igala are an ethnic group of Nigeria. Igala practice a number of different religions, including animism, Christianity, and Islam.The home of the Igala people is situated east of the river Niger and Benue confluence and astride the Niger in Lokoja, Kogi state of Nigeria...
dynasty of central Nigeria. But there is convincing evidence that Onoja Oboli, the founder of the Igala dynasty was actually another son of Eri.
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Sources
- Elizabeth Isichei, African before 1800 (London: Longman, 1984).
- Elizabeth Isichei, A History of the Igbo People (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 1976).
- Chikodi Anunobi, Nri Warriors of Peace (Zenith Publishers, January 2006)
- http://books.google.com/books?id=3C2tzBSAp3MC&pg=PA246&lpg=PA246&dq=nri+igbo+ukwu&source=web&ots=1gvnMpIuM-&sig=Femk-UEgQw2M_soZUAU3ZZ4GEv8
- http://www.nrikingdom.com/default.asp?id=history&mnu=hmnu
- http://essays.igbonet.com/EzeNriNriEnwelanaIIObidiegwuOnyeso/1005thIguAroNdIgbo/
- http://www.bookwire.com/bookwire/BowkerRecommends/Nov2005/nri.htm
- http://www.chikodianunobi.com/pages/PressRoom/Conversation_w_Cyril.htm
- http://www.kwenu.com/publications/anunobi/leadership_crises1.htm
- http://www.nrienweluana.com