We are continuing in our survey of the Northern part of Nigeria in the pre-colonial era. So far, we have looked at the Hausa/Fulani, Kanem-Bornu, and the Nupe ethnic groups, we also tried to trace their cultural heritage and origin, of which we successfully did. Here, we will look at another ethnic group in Northern Nigerian that has been been grossly side-lined by other larger ethnic groups because of their minority level - this ethnic group is called Igala.

Igala Ethnic Group

Just as a way of reminder, Nigeria is home to over 250 ethnic groups - though the major and politically strategic and influential ones are Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo - but this does not take away the fact that the other "minor" ethnic groups played important roles in the history of Nigeria and the black continent of Africa at large.

If you followed our last post where we reviewed the Nupe kingdom, we made mention of Idah version as one of the Versions of the history of Nupe and the founder of Nupe; Tsoede; was believed to come from Idah. It might interest you to know that Idah (the very place where the founder of Nupe kingdom came from) was the ancestral capital of Igala. So by inference, Igala pre-dated Nupe and was seen as the ancestral parents of Nupe. As a matter of fact, there has been historic assumption by history scholars that Igala dated as far back as the old Oyo empire (Old Yoruba capital).

Igala people are presently found predominantly around the confluence of Niger and Benue rives in the Northern part of Nigeria (areas around Kogi and Benue state) but some other places; even the South-eastern Nigeria; have native Igala speakers. Igala is one of the few ethnic groups that are spread across various parts of Nigeria. The capital of Igala; Idah; shares a common boundary with the Nupe Kingdom that we talked about in our last post, as you can see from the map below.

The population of Igala is just a little above 1.4 million people (according to the 2006 National Population Census) and the religions practised predominantly are Christianity and Islam. Igala people are majorly into farming and fishing, though some practise various forms of trading.

Origin of Igala

Just like the history of the other ethnic groups we reviewed in our previous episodes, Igala's origin has many versions, but much more than that, it has remained very bleak because of lack of proper and adequate records and because of heavy reliance on oral tradition.

Oral tradition is very recognized as a true and valid source of history, the authenticity, however, is not particularly guaranteed - this is the reason an ethnic group can have variations of their origin because of the variation of oral tradition. This is the reason some have linked Igala with Yorubas and some others have linked them with Igbos and the Fulanis, but let's take the version of their origin that is generally accepted by Igala history scholars.

The Version of Abutu Eje

This is the mostly accepted version of the history of Igala. It has been believed that "Igala"; as a name; was gotten from the ancient Yoruba term for antelope. The founder of Igala ethnic group was Abutu Eje who; by literal interpretation; means "a son that was raised by Eje (leopard)". According to oral tradition, Abutu Eje was partly seen as a celestial prince who was sent as a ruler.

When Abutu Eje formed Igala around the 7th century AD, he chose some officials who were called Mela (or Igala Mela) to help him keep and run the sacred and mystery shrine that was entrusted to him by divinity. From that small community he founded, Igala grew and multiplied till this present time. History scholars have said that each of the Melas that was chosen by Abutu Eje (which were about nine) had a different dialect, of which they consolidated on extensively. This can explain why Igala is home to various dialects like Ibaji, Dekina, Ankpa, Ogugu, Ebu and a few others.

Just to let you know, Igala kingdom was so successful during the pre-colonial time that they were able to survive through thick and thin until in the 20th century when they became a protectorate of Britain - okay y'all already know that Nigeria was a British colony.

The Version of Yoruba

Even though this version has been contended by some historians but some Igalas believe it because of the elements of truism in it. If you understand Yoruba language very well and you hear the Igala language, you will agree with me that some words appear in both languages and they mean the same thing. This has led pople to believe that Igala might have had a historic affiliation with the Yorubas in the ancient time _[ref].

Asides the similarity between both languages, there are some native Igala people that speak pure Yoruba language - proving that Igala and Yoruba might have shared a common ancestry. Asides the language similarity, they both share some cultural practices and above all, they share similar cuisines, like the Eba Efo Riro. All these are pointing to a shared ancestry.

Igala Administration and Socio-political Organization

The head of administration in Igala is known as Attah. One very unique characteristics of the Igalas is their recognition for female heads. As a matter of fact, Igala has recorded female Attahs in the past - so the title is not just reserved for men as against some other ethnic groups in the Northern part of Nigeria.

For effective leadership, the Attah selects his cabinet which is normally made up of nobles and the elites which are called Igala Mela (or Knights). Just to let you know, one of the Knights of the present Attah is a very renowned Diaspora-based Igala professor of mathematical physics; Gabriel Audu Oyibo. The Attah title is majorly based on kinship - like the current Attah of Igala took over from his father after demise. Some Igalas have significant scarification marks for easy identification - these marks are given on both chins with three lines.

Igala believe well in life after death (or afterlife) and the existence of almighty God who they refer to as "Ojo Ogbekwugbekwu" who they reverence. As against some other Northern ethnic groups where their political head doubles as their religious head, the Attah of Igala is just seen as political head, without having any religious oversight over the land of Igala. Igala administration, even though it is monarchical, has some elements of democratic setting and this feature has remained even till this present time.

References: Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, ref4