Location of the Igala tribe
The Igala tribe is a major ethnic group in Kogi State, Nigeria, located on the eastern side of the Niger and Benue confluence, covering an area of 13,665 square kilometres. It is bounded by Enugu state to the east, Anambra state to the south, Benue and Nasarawa states to the north and River Niger/Edo state to the west.
Source: Igalaweddings
They belong to the Kwa subgroups of the Niger-Congo language family, which is one of the world’s major language families and Africa’s largest. Igala is part of the Yoruboid branch of the Defoid, a branch of the Benue Congo language family. The name derives from the Yoruba, the most widely spoken member of the defoid. The Igala tribe and Yoruba share similar views on God.
Origin
The Igala, originating from ancient Egypt, has been confirmed by various Egyptological and ancient Egyptian Archeologists reports. They existed from the beginning of the world until the predynsatic period around 6000 BC, and their origin is confirmed by the presence of similar Igala and ancient Egyptian words with the same meanings. The Attah Igala and Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs share similarity in terms of wearing earrings, white and red crowns, and burial processes, which further confirm their Egyptian origin.
After the unification of lower Egypt and upper Egypt in 3150 BC, the Igala participated in the third dynasty (2686 BC – 2613 BC), the tenth dynasty (2130 BC to 2040 BC), and the 12th dynasty rulership (1991 BC to 1802), which lasted 189 years. However, they left Egypt due to various problems such as famine, bad weather, wars, and foreign invasions. In the 8th century BC, Egypt was captured by the Kush Kingdom, leading to the migration of many groups, including the Igala, from Egypt.
They migrated through various routes and boats, staying by the Nile River and both sides of the Niger. They settled in Wukari, present-day Taraba state, for 200 years, and later joined other groups. Two Igala groups, the present-day Igalamela and Igalogba, migrated from Wukari and arrived in Idah around the 6th century BC. Some Igala clans and sister tribes, led by Abutu Ejeh, joined the first two Igala groups in Idah. Igala tribe was one of the few ancient tribes in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, and is one of the few tribes listed on the ancient list of tribes of ancient Egypt. Today, indigenous Igala territories can be found across 29 states of Nigeria and FCT, as they were likely the first or one of the first few tribes in Nigeria.
Source: Igalaweddings
The traditional ruler of Igala tribe, Attah Igala, AgabaiduIdakwo AmehOboni II, has stated tcountless times hat Igala people migrated from Egypt around the Nile River. He was informed by Jukun elders that Igalas were in Wukari before the arrival of Jukun people. At the historic Igala reunification festival, Igala National Congress, hosted by Attah Igala, he stated that Igala migrated from Egypt through Borno state to Wukari, settled with tribes, and then moved to Ife and Idah to form a new territory.
Religion
The Igala people of Kogi State have a traditional concept of God, a belief in the Supreme Being, Ọjọ, who grants powers and authorities to gods and spirits over various aspects of human life. The Igala people share similarities with other tribes, such as the Yoruba, Igbo, and Gwari people, but their uniqueness lies in their own unique concept of God.
The Igala believe in the supreme God, Ọjọ, but it is unclear if this belief is a result of intercourse between cultures or tribes. African culture generally has a name for the person of God, but the spirits and gods serving as intermediaries with the Ultimate Being vary across cultures.
The ancestors (Ibegwu) rank second in authority to the Supreme Being, with some extolling them as having a direct link with God himself. In interior villages, Igala culture is practiced without even mentioning God, as they are often seen as messengers or representatives of God.
The presence of Ibegwu confirms the statement that “the evil that men do lives with them.” The Ibegwu are ever-living and active, and their presence confirms the statement that “the evil that men do lives with them.”
The Ibegwu festival, held annually before the yam harvest, honors ancestors for their protection and blessings. The shrine is cleaned thoroughly during this period to prepare for the festival.
Currently, the Igala tribe majorly consists of Muslims with a few Christains.
Marriage rites
In Igala tribe, the groom’s family communicates with the proposed inlaw through Atogba Oya (Mediator), who then presents the bride price, kola nut, and drinks to propose marriage between their son and their daughter. The bride’s family then asks their daughter if they should take the kolanut, and she is expected to answer yes.
The parents will then tell her that they will not eat kola nuts again, implying that wedding rites for women are not held twice. The groom’s family is advised to take their daughter’s feeding, clothing, shelter, and health as serious responsibilities and not to turn her into a punching bag, as it is contrary to Igala culture.
The acceptance of a kola nut by a bride signifies her willingness to marry a potential groom. The first phase is Uyon We Emugba which translates as “since you like me, accept my gift”; the Atogba Oya then offers the kola nut to the bride’s family, indicating her acceptance. The second phase is paying the dowry, which includes gifts for the bride’s direct family members.
Source: Igalaweddings
The groom’s family also contributes to the settlement of the extended family, which is also presented to the bride’s family by the Atogba Oya.
Following that, a date is picked for the marriage ceremony, where the public is invited to celebrate their love at the bride’s family house. Prior to the date of the ceremony, the groom sends food and money for the ceremony, which is done through the groom’s family, with the help of a mediator to prevent communication gaps.
The ceremony is filled with merriment, where the bride and groom present their prizes to the families and the public. After the bride’s price is settled, kola nut, clothing materials, drinks, and other items are also presented, with the majority of these items being presented by the mediator to the bride’s family.
In Igala traditional weddings, an elder from the bride’s family officiates the ceremony, which begins with prayers and breaking the kola nut. Before the ceremony, the bride is sent to the groom’s family for 14 or three market days to become familiar with them.
The elders, guided by the Atogba Oya, maintain transparency between the families, which is the purpose of a mediator in an Igala wedding. The idea of Obi Anukwugiven is crucial for maintaining trust between families. After the ceremony later in the day, the bride, now called Eyawo, is accompanied to her husband’s home by women from her family and friends, along with all of her properties.
The groom’s family patiently awaits the arrival of the bride, celebrating with feasting, drinking, singing, and dancing. In some cases, the bride’s entourage sends a prior indicating that an issue is preventing them from coming and requesting that the groom provide money or presents to overcome it. A mediator ensures that events run smoothly and without errors.
Traditional attire
The traditional attire of the Igala tribe is Igala Achi, a woven stripe fabric consisting of yellow (main colour), black, blue, green, and white stripes.
Food
The famous dish among the Igala is , Ogidibo, made from corn; this is said to be a variant of the very known moi-moi.
Occupation
The Igala people are skilled in crop farming, fishing, weaving, dyeing, canoe building, animal husbandry and production and trading of herbal medicine .
FAQs
Who Is the Traditional Ruler of Igalaland?
The traditional ruler of Igalaland is Attah of Igala, which translates as “Father of the Igalas”.
What Is Igala Traditional Dance?
Agbaka dance is an energetic Igala traditional dance, incorporating gymnastics and acrobatic vocabularies – tumbles, jumps, summersaults, spins, vibratory movements, stunts, and crabwalks.