A priest-king who ruled without weapons and a festival built around the yam.
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Lesson 1 of 3
Eri and the first king
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An old story
Igbo traditions tell of a person called Eri, who is remembered as the founder of Nri. Nri became one of the oldest and most respected centres in Igboland.
Stories like this are passed down by speaking, from grandparents to children.
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A king without an army
The ruler of Nri is called the Eze Nri. He is a priest-king, which means he is a king and also a spiritual leader.
In Nri, people believed shedding blood was wrong. The word for this is alu, something forbidden.
Lesson 2 of 3
The way of peace
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No weapons
The Eze Nri did not rule with weapons or soldiers. Respect and tradition were his strength.
People came to Nri for blessings, to settle arguments and to take part in important ceremonies.
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Did you know?
In Nri tradition, the king’s power came from ritual and respect, not from fighting.
Lesson 3 of 3
The yam and the new year
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The festival of Igu Aro
Igu Aro is a festival of Nri that marks the start of a new year.
The yam, the most important food crop, is a symbol of life and plenty in many Igbo stories.
From seed yam to feast
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1. Plant
A piece of yam, the seed yam, is planted in a mound of earth.
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2. Grow
The vine climbs a stick as the rains come.
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3. Harvest
After many months, the yams are dug out of the ground.