Igala Kingdom

The Igala Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of Idah, was a pre-colonial West African state of what is now Nigeria. The kingdom was founded by the Igala, a people living north of the Igbo, with its capital at Idah. It was heavily influenced by the Yoruba, Bini and Jukun kingdoms.

Ata

The first "Ata", the title given to the ruler of the kingdom, was Ebule- Jonu, a woman; she was succeeded by her brother Agana- Poje, the father of Idoko. Idoko would later succeed him as Ata, and had two children Atiyele and Ayegba om'Idoko (Ayegba son of Idoko), Atiyele the first son of Idoko migrated eastward of the kingdom to establish Ankpa kingdom while Ayegba the second son of Idoko succeeded his father as Ata'Gala. He led a war against the Jukun, which resulted in victory. Idakwo Micheal was appointed as the new Ata in December 2012.

The ata-ship of Igala rotated among four branches of the royal clan. Igala kingdom was founded by Abutu- Eje in the 7th century. The kingdom was ruled by nine high officials called the Igala Mela who are custodians of the sacred Earth shrine.

History

The kingdom of Igala survived well into the 19th century, becoming a British protectorate in 1901.

See also

• Igala
• Idah