Nigeria has so many precolonial history and kingdoms. Before modern day, NIGERIA was divided into many ethnic groups, such as, Yoruba, Nri (Igbo), Benin, Hausa, and Nupe. But one that takes my attention the most is the Kingdom of Nri (also known as Igbo). The kingdom of Nri political had been existed since 948 until 1911 when the British troops forced them to end its political power. But the cultures still exists in the Nigeria country. Nri had many cultures and great rulers. Kingdom of Nri was located in the west-African region, now is the area of Nigeria country.
The formation of Nri kingdom was back to 9 century by the founder of Nri and Igbo people then became the center of Igbo cultures. After the god-liked founder died, ending of the Eri period, the first king of Nri period, Ìfikuánim, started his reign in 1043. The capital city of Nri was Igbo-Ukwu. Its official language was Igbo. The main religion of Nri was Odinani. Odinani aims to comprehend its world (called “Uwa”) and has gods (called “Chukwu”). It had elective monarchy regimen. Nri had Manillas as a currency. Manillas are armlet created from bronze, copper, or sometime gold.
Kingdom of Nri was a theocratic state. The eze Nri was a ruler with mystic powers. Eze Nri didn’t have military power, therefore, in the common sense, eze Nri was like a ritual leader rather than a king. On changing of the position, eze Nri was elected by a group of people who observed the man with supernatural power. Eze Nri was cited as a divine ruler. The religious and political power of Nri was called Ikenga. The first eze Nri (the founder in the Eri period) was eze Eri.
The kingdom of Nri had good economy until 16 century. Unlike other African countries, Nri didn’t have slave trading, therefore, Nri was said to be the heaven place for escaped slaves. Nri also had great connection of trading, either internal, or external. Nri also gained wealth by hunting and agriculture.
The kingdom of Nri had many great cultural points. For arts, Nri were famous with their bronze. Bronze sculpting by Nri often used natural aspects as the template. Different from others, Nri bronze sculpting focused on the natural details and didn’t add extra details. Bronze in the sculpture by Nri also purer than other neighbor kingdoms arts sculpture, such as Ife and Benin. For religion, Nri people believed the world was formed by Chineke (the creator). Nri oral tradition also indicate that fertility came from the ruler blessing. Nri also had interesting traditions, such as scarification. A selected man will get a wave-liked scar on his forehead. This tradition came from the Nri myth.
Nri used oath to expand itself. The most interesting and successful point of Nri kingdom was it didn’t use military force. Nri was the real peace kingdom with a great administration. The king sent converts to other settlements to expand the kingdom. But in the 19 century, British troops invaded the kingdom and force them to resign their Ikenga or the ritual and political power. But it ‘kingdom’ still exists in Nigeria country.
The resources for this article of Nri kingdom is vague because time makes evidences to be lost. Luckily, some evidence, such as bronze arts still can be discovered. Oral tradition comes into play as a role of Kingdom of Nri evidence. The history organizations don’t emphasize the kingdom much.
Pennsylvania State University – Instructor Chanda Burrage
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