Nri-Igbo
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Nri, in Anambra State Nigeria, was a center of learning, religion, and commerce in pre-colonial West Africa and beyond. 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 Onitsha, Asaba, and the Bendel delta 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 eunochs. 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.

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History

See also: Kingdom of Nri

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 Eri (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.

Origin theory

Igbo mythology

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.

Hamitic theory and controversy

Some early racist western writers believe that Eri was part of the Hebrews (12 lost tribes) who left Egypt during the mass exodus, migrating to the Anambra river valley via the Niger river. But, some Igbo historians frown at this assertion because of lack of solid evidence and implying that it is another way of saying that Igbo culture is not capable of evolving into a civilization. Professor A. E. Afigbo condemned the Hamitic origin as “sophisticated racial rubbish,” saying that “…most colonial officials and writers…believed that nothing culturally important could come out of Igbo land. Thus any Igbo-speaking group, be it the Aro or Nri, which would appear to have achieved anything historically significant, was severed from the Igbo stock.”

See also

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)
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