Everything You Need to Know About Nri!
Our goal with this series is to help Igbo descents worldwide reconnect with their roots and gain a clearer understanding of who they are.
Do you know the name of your town and village? What kindred your family belongs to, both maternally and paternally? How did your surname come to be, and what stories shape your cultural identity?
We hope this series inspires you to explore, document, and preserve your history for generations to come. Enjoy!
Nri Town Overview
Nri is an Igbo community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. It shares borders with Enugwu-Ukwu, Agulu, Nawfia and Neni.
Main Villages in Nri
Nri is divided into six major villages:
Agbadana
Ekwenanyika
Diodo
Obeagu
Uruofolo
Uruoji
Major Deities
Idemmili Diodo
Aro Obeagu
Ogwugwu Agbadana
Iyiazi Agbadana
Ngene Diokpa Uruofolo
Ngene Ońuoye Uruoji
Isioye Ekwenanyika
Rivers and Streams
Idemmili Lake (also known as Agulu Lake, but the Nri people call it Idemmili because the water source is in Nri).
Mmili Nwabiaka
Mmili Ulasi
Iyiagu
Mmili Onuoye
Mmili Nwamgbachi
Masquerades
Iga
Isi-opio
Isi-kpulukpulu
Main Market Day
The main market day in Nri is Eke. The popular market called Eke Nri is busy with trading activities on this day.
Major Festivals
Igu-Aro Festival: The Eze Nri performs this festival. It is when he declares the new Igbo year. It is usually held in mid-February every year.
Onwa Agwu Festival: This festival is held in mid-June every year. Ancestral masquerades dance around Nri and perform with the people. At the end, there is a competition. The best dancing masquerades, the most beautiful ones, and the hardest whipping masquerades receive rewards from the Nri people.
Onwa Asato Festival: This is the New Yam Festival of Nri. It is usually held in mid-September every year.
Communal Taboos
Murder
Eating of dogs, crocodiles and squirrels.
Abortion
Incest
Killing of Eke (python)
Women climbing palm-trees (Nkwu) or any other economic trees.
Founder and History
According to oral history, the people of Nri are direct descendants of the popular Igbo progenitor called Eri. The actual founder of Nri is believed to be one of Eri’s sons, Ìfikuánim.
Major Occupations
Farming
Trading
Traditional Ritualism
Local Government Area
Nri is part of Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Did we miss any key details or get something mixed up?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
What else do you know about Nri that isn’t covered here? Let us know below. Daalu!
Source:
Curator of Odinani Musuem of Nri.
Research Credit:
Chinualumogu
