THE IGALA PEOPLE




The Igala people are situated in the Eastern part of the River Niger and Benue confluence in Lokoja, Kogi state of Nigeria. The Igala people believe in Oj’ona (after world) and Oj’Ilei (this world).
Another interesting fact about the Igala people is their dressing, as they don’t focus on the style but colours are used as traditional symbols. Black and Yellow are colours that mean a lot to them. The Black symbolizes the riches of the Igala land while the Yellow
means hospitality.

The Igala people refer to their rulers Attah Igala, which means Father of Igala. In the history of Igala, they have two Attah they revere; Attah Ayegba Oma Idoko and Attah Ameh Oboni. History has it that Attah Ayegba Oma Idoko sacrificed his most beloved daughter, Princess Imkpi by burying her alive to enable him win a war of liberation from Jukun’s dominance, while Attah Ameh Oboni is known to be very brave. He struggled to uphold some ancient traditions of the Igala.

 IGALA PEOPLE: ANCIENT NIGERIAN INHABITANTS OF NIGER-BENUE CONFLUENCE IN KOGI STATE

Taboos
In the Igala culture, there are many taboos;
  • ·         A menstrual woman should not enter the kitchen
  • ·         Sexual intercourse should be carried out in the day
  • ·         Squirrel should not come out in the day time
  • ·         A woman that just delivered should not come out for 14 days

Just to mention a few, even though modernization and westernization has led to the abolition of most of these taboos.

Festivals
The Igala people have several annual festivals they celebrate which include; Igala general festival, Halo festival, Aboko festival and many other festivals celebrated in the land, but for the sake of this publication we end the list here.

·         The Igala land happens to be one of the most naturally endowed land in Nigeria, because of their colourful culture.

INORE FAMOUS
  

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