64-661: Idah is a town in Kogi State , Nigeria , on the eastern bank of the Niger River in the middle belt region of Nigeria . It is the headquarter of the Igala Kingdom , and also a Local Government Area with an area of 36 km. Idah had a population of 79,815 at the 2006 census. The town is the traditional capital of the Igala Kingdom , whose traditional ruler, the Attah Igala, is currently Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa II. Idah
128-524: A Egypt-Migrants ethnolinguistic group native to the region immediately south of the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers in central Nigeria . The area inhabited primarily by the Igala is referred to as Igalaland. Situated in an especially ecologically diverse region of Nigeria, the Igala have traditionally engaged in crop cultivation , and have been influenced culturally by many surrounding cultures over
192-475: A French mother, Marie Adrienne Josephine, a local of Mauritius (née Desfontaines; 1826–1871). Kogi is a multi-ethnic state with over multiple indigenous languages spoken in the state. The main languages are Ebira , Igala and Yoruba ( Okun ). Other common languages include Nupe , Kakanda , Kupa , Bassa Nge , Basa Komu, Kupa, Hausa , Osayen. Ogori in Kogi central speak Oko language. The Okun (Yoruba) language
256-448: A direct connection with Ojo , serving as his representatives and messengers. Ibegwu have the power to protect the well being of humans in their fertility, agriculture, and society. If the ancestors are not properly honored, they also have the ability to punish humans. Every year, before the yam harvest, ancestors are honored at the Ibegwu festival. This is to praise them for their protection in
320-560: A people of Nupe extraction under Lokoja L.G.A., Bassa-Komo which is also of Bassa Local government area , Oworo people , Igbo , Ogori Magongo , and Idoma . The name Nigeria , was coined in Lokoja by Flora Shaw in the hill of Mount Patti , the future wife of Baron Lugard , a British colonial administrator, while gazing out at the river Niger . She, Flora Shaw is the daughter of an English father, Captain George Shaw, and
384-443: A person dies, it is very important that their body is treated with the proper ritual practices to ensure that they will make it to the spirit world; this is accomplished through a burial ceremony that has three stages. The first stage of the burial ceremony is called Egwu omi omi eji -When the body is placed into the grave. The second stage is the ceremony that takes place after the deceased is buried, called ubi eche . The third stage
448-524: A prime example of the kingdom's cultural exchange with its neighbouring groups. Igala art, dating centuries back, also feature in Nigerian body decoration and cultural architecture . Today, the Igala predominantly inhabit southern and eastern Kogi State where they are the majority ethnicity and a major regional bloc in Kogi state politics. In times past, the Igala have held key state government positions. While
512-442: A sense of otherness, further alienating Nigeran film industries. On the other hand, many Igala filmmakers accept the title as the essence of movie making in their country, and being included in part of the global filmmaking experience. Many Igala filmmakers strive to preserve traditional Igala culture in their films. For example, many characters will be named in Igala language after what their character represents. This teaches viewers
576-428: A statement of beauty. Some designs are designated for specific ceremonies or public events while others are spontaneous. These impromptu designs often speak to socio-cultural messages or are the result of young members scribbling their names in patterns on the body. There are also many different symbols used in the decorations including combs, rings, or the alphabet. The Nigerian film industry has grown tremendously in
640-430: A strong tv presence is important for gaining exposure and global interest. Another issue faced in Igala film is the lack of profit. Many of these films are low budget, and therefore not sought after as much as films that bring in a higher revenue. This makes it difficult for Igala film makers working toward cultural preservation, as well as global exposure. Finance has also proven to be an issue in this industry because there
704-615: A war of liberation from Jukun dominance. Atta Ameh Oboni is known to have been very brave and resolute because of his stiff resistance against the British and struggle to uphold the ancient traditions of Igala land. He died by suicide in order to forestall the plans of the British, who wanted him deposed and exiled. Idakwo Micheal Ameh II became the twenty-seventh Attah following the death of his predecessor Attah Alhaji Aliyu Obaje in 2012. By Igala native law and custom, an Attah newly nominated by
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#1732848719873768-475: Is Akwu eche , meaning the last shedding of tears. The third stage is where the Oloja masquerade is performed to say goodbye to the deceased. Masks are an important aspect of Igala art. Masquerades are rituals that aim to create a balanced relationship between the world of the living, and the ancestors of the spiritual realm. Igala masks feature symbolic markings that are meaningful in identifying political status and
832-399: Is scarification . This is done by cutting the surface of the skin to leave raised marking. In Igala culture, most parts of the kingdom, like Ankpa, recurved three deep horizontal cuts on each side of their face beside the mouth as a way of identifying each other. This practice, which was prevalent during inter - tribal wars in the 17th century and 18th century has now become very uncommon among
896-561: Is a major food supplier of Kogi State. It has commercial routes on the river Niger linking Lokoja , the Kogi state capital; to the north of the country and Onitsha in Anambra state ) to the south, Agenebode Edo State across the Niger to the west. Its population is primarily Igala . Idah hosts a federal polytechnic . It also hosts the college of science, health and Technology. The rainy season in Idah
960-633: Is an important fishing port and Market trading town in Nigeria with an outpost of the Nigeria Navy referred to as Nigeria Navy Ship Lugard. The town as a port of trade was frequented by local and foreign traders who traded agricultural produces and minerals mostly. Bronze rings and Cowries were the predominant currency for trade. Idah, an old river port, lies on the eastern bank of the river Niger at 7°05′00″N 6°45′00″E / 7.08333°N 6.75000°E / 7.08333; 6.75000 . The town
1024-787: Is home to the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited , the largest iron and steel industry in Nigeria and the Obajana Cement Factory , one of the largest cement factories in Africa. Kogi state is home to the Federal University (Lokoja) , Kogi State University Anyigba, Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Federal Polytechnic Idah , Kogi State Polytechnic (Lokoja), Federal College of Education (Okene), College of Education (Ankpa), College of Agriculture Kabba, Kogi state college of education, technical (Kabba) and
1088-483: Is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state's house of assembly. The capital city of the state is Lokoja The electoral system of each state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -thirds of the State's and local government Areas. If no candidate passes
1152-447: Is so important to the Igala people that there are several hunting ceremonies that take place throughout the year. For example, the earth festival begins the start of the farming year. This ritual features a communal hunt where animal remains are offered to the earth shrine, grass being burnt, and the first yam being planted. In another ritual, the king camps in the bush the night before the festival. The king then spears an animal to offer to
1216-675: Is spoken in the Kogi West Senatorial District and Igbo is spoken in Ibaji and Igalamela-Odolu local government areas of the state. Kogi is religiously diverse with about 45% of the state's population are Muslim with about 40% being Christian and the remaining 15% following traditional ethnic religions minorities. Sheikh Aminu Sha'aban was turbaned as the Imam of Lokoja in December 2019. The Ecclesiastical Province of Lokoja with
1280-455: Is the only state in Nigeria that shares a boundary with ten other states. The state is famous for its productivity in business and agriculture, cultural diversity, hospitable citizens and beautiful landmarks. There are three main ethnic groups and languages in Kogi: Igala people , Anebira , and Okun , with others such as Bassa Nge of Bassa L.G.A, Kupa and Kakanda speakers, who are
1344-409: Is uncomfortable and cloudy, the dry season is moist and slightly cloudy and often hot throughout the year. The temperature over the course of the year usually varies from 66 °F to 92 °F and is hardly below 60 °F or above 97 °F. This Kogi State , Nigeria location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Kogi State Kogi State is a state in
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#17328487198731408-460: Is woven materials including strips of raffia palm leaves ( Iko ), and strips of cloth. The Oloja dancer wears a wooden headdress made to look somewhat like a crocodile with fierce teeth and a protruding jaw. Music is an important part of the Oloja ceremony. The instrumentalists are elders. They use instruments such as wooden gongs, metal gongs, rattles, flute, and seven drums of various sizes. The start of
1472-669: The 9th highest Human Development Index and GDP in the country. The climate of the state has an annual rainfall total of between 1,100mm and 1,300mm. The rainy season lasts from April to October each year while the dry season last sfrom November to March. The dry season is very dusty and cold as a result of the north-easterly winds, which bring in the harmattan . Between 2001 and 2014 ,the built-up area increased by 10.68% and seven (7) adaptation strategies were employed by farmers in changing planting dates and change crop variety at 31%, 22%, and 21% respectively ,in response to change in rainfall. In October 2022, Kogi State witnessed one of
1536-539: The Bassa Nge , Kakanda , and Kupa subgroups) in the state's center; the Igala (most dominant in the east), Agatu , Basa-Komo and Idoma in the east; and the (mainly the Okun , Ogori , Oworo , and Magongo subgroups) in the west and central. In the pre-colonial period, the area that is now Kogi State was split up between various states with some states being tiny and village-based as others were part of larger empires like
1600-685: The Diocese of Idah (1968) with 56 parishes under Bishop Anthony Ademu Adaji (2009) and the Diocese of Lokoja (1955 as Kabba) with 43 parishes under Bishop Martin Dada Abejide Olorunmolu (2005), both suffragans of the Archdiocese of Abuja . Kogi State consists of twenty-one local government areas. Which are: Tourist attractions in Kogi State include; The Azad's palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland,
1664-649: The Hausa word for river ( Kogi). Kogi State was formed from parts of Benue State, Niger State, and Kwara State on 27 August 1991. The state is nicknamed the " Confluence State" due to the fact that the confluence of the River Niger and the River Benue occurs next to its capital , Lokoja . Of the 36 states of Nigeria, Kogi is the thirteenth largest in the area and twentieth most populous with an estimated population of about 4.5 million as of 2022. Geographically,
1728-605: The North Central region of Nigeria , bordered to the west by the states of Ekiti and Kwara , to the north by the Federal Capital Territory , to the northeast by Nasarawa State , to the northwest by Niger State , to the southwest by the Edo and Ondo states, to the southeast by the states of Anambra and Enugu , and to the east by Benue State . It is the only state in Nigeria to border ten other states. Named after
1792-835: The Nupe Kingdom which held much of now-western Kogi State until the early 1800s when the Fulani jihad annexed the kingdom and placed the area under the Sokoto Caliphate while the Eastern half of the State is the land of the ancient Igala Kingdom. In the 1900s and 1910s, British expeditions occupied the area and incorporated them into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate with its capital as Lokoja until 1903. The protectorate later merged into British Nigeria before becoming independent as Nigeria in 1960. Originally, modern-day Kogi State
1856-553: The Anglican Church of Nigeria led by Archbishop Daniel Abubakar Yisa covers Kogi and Niger States and includes the six Dioceses of Ijumu (2008) led by Bishop Paul Olarewaju Ojo (2018), Kabba (1996) led by Bishop Steven Kadoye Akobe (2010), Lokoja (1994) led by Bishop Emmanuel Egbunu (2004), Ogori-Magongo led by Bishop Festus Davies (2009), Okene (2008) led by Bishop Emmanuel Onsachi (2017) and Idah led by Bishop Joseph Musa (2005). The Catholic Church includes
1920-457: The Igala language by forming associations with character names and their characteristics. The purpose of this is to preserve the Igala language so it does not go extinct due to the globalization of Igala culture. The Igala film industry has faced many challenges that have caused it to be less successful than other Nigerian and Western film industries. On challenge, is that Igala film has had a lack of presence on satellite television networks. Having
1984-478: The Igala people valued farming and hunting for their goods. Igala is located across the undulating, forested coastal region, and the dry savannah; the Guinea forest-savannah mosaic . This diverse ecological setting accommodates rainfed crops ( Yam , Cocoyam , Maize , Pumpkin , Cassava ), as well as dry soil crops ( Millet , Guinea corn , Beniseed , and Beans ). Igala farmers, must be strategic with crop locations and
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2048-461: The Igala people. The practice of scaring the skin can also be seen as medicinal and spiritually healing. There are also several non permanent forms of Ina Ole, such as creating designs with paint or dyes. These designs take on different meanings depending on the person, occasion, or placement on the body. For example, some tribal markings are identified by their placement on the face, or the chest of men. Women often decorate their wrists and arms as
2112-471: The Igala-Jukun battlefield. One masquerade in particular is the Oloja masquerade. Oloja is a five day burial ceremony specifically for older, deceased men. Led by elders, this ceremony takes place once a year and can honor one, or several deceased members of the community in the third and final part of the burial ceremony, Akwu eche . The body of the deceased is adorned with what is known as achi. Achi
2176-625: The Private Salem University , Lokoja. There are a college of nursing and midwifery in Anyigba and Obangede, a School of health tech in Idah, and ECWA School of Nursing in Egbe. Kogi State has produced sprinters and other sportsmen, who have contributed to the growth of sports worldwide. Kogi United and Babanawa F.C. are football teams based in the state. Other sports, such as swimming , handball , and table tennis , are actively promoted in
2240-415: The ancestors will offer blessings and protection to the living. Ancestral spirits interact with the living in various ways. The spirits can be reincarnated as babies, or be called upon through masquerades. In Igala cosmology, a human is not left to decide their destiny. It is believed that before a person is born, their destiny is decided by a choice they make before the creator, Ojo in the spirit world. When
2304-540: The centuries. Today, people of Igala descent are estimated to be at a population of 1.68 million people. The Igala kingdom is ruled ceremonially and culturally by the Attah and has a long history of political warfare and campaigns with neighbouring groups along the Benue . Igala people traditionally worship the supreme being Ojo , as well as their divine ancestral spirits . Masquerades are an important aspect of Igala art and
2368-456: The ceremony is signaled by the lead instrumentalist blasting seven notes on the flute, each note louder than the one before it, eventually being joined by the other musicians. At this point, the elders take turns performing a dance until another seven notes are signalled by the flute, summoning the Oloja dancer. The dancer performs movements that mimic different aspects of the deceased's occupation, personality, or habits. The dancer will then go to
2432-441: The colonial relics (such as Lord Lugard House), Mount Patti , World War Cenotaph , the confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue, Ogidi (An African town with formations of Igneous Rock mountains and a traditional art & craft industry) and natural land features hills and terrains that serve as hiking trails. Some tourists visit on day trips from Abuja, which is a two-hour drive away. Kogi State Tourism and Hotels Company Limited
2496-476: The culture's fashion. Because these markings are not strict for each culture, and fashion changes over time, it is difficult for historians to rely on them to identify their place of origin. Igala masks have influences from several bordering regions including Igbo , Edo , and Idoma . While these masks very across regions, they share some similarities, such as the first Atta appearing as a leopard. Igala masquerade culture would not have been able to flourish without
2560-587: The economic support from trade controlled by the Igbo in the lower Niger River. Igala brass masks, worn by the Atta, show evidence of Benin influence on Igala masks. It is presumed that this influence came from Igala being under suzerainty of Benin during the reign of Esigie . Researchers have found that some Igala masks were actually from the Jukun region. This could mean that the masks were taken, or left behind by Jukun warriors on
2624-411: The end of the ceremony, community members are left to cry while the dancer is taken back to his abode. Body decoration is the act of altering one's skin or body through piercing, scarification, tattooing, skin dyes, or painting for the purpose of aesthetic or social identification. In Igala culture, the practice of decorating the body is known as Ina Ole . One form of permanent skin alterations
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2688-507: The federal capital territory, Abuja International Airport serves as the national and international gateway for air travelers from and to the state. Good telecommunications services are available in the state. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. There are many farm products from the state, including coffee , cocoa , palm oil , cashews , groundnuts , maize , cassava , yam , rice and melon . Mineral resources include coal , limestone , iron , petroleum and tin . The state
2752-535: The four ruling royal houses (Aj'Ameacho, Aj'Aku, Aj'Akogu and Aj'Ocholi) is verified by the Igalamela Kingmakers , traditional chiefs of the Igala kingdom. The Igalamela kingmakers are made up of nine chiefs (Etemahi Igalamela, Agbenyo, Onubiogbo, Onede, Aleji, Okweje, Achadu Kekele Ukwaja, Ananya Ata, Achanya Ata) with Etemahi Igalamela as the head of the Kingmakers. The Kingmakers forward the nominated name to
2816-454: The house of deceased and throw part of the thatched roof into the bush or river. Next, the masquerader collects the tools of the deceased and destroys them in the performance arena. In the final part of the dance, the dancer collects the Okega , or personal god of the deceased, takes snuff into his nostril three times, hits the back of his head three time, and performs the three final dance moves. By
2880-535: The last three decades. This progress in acceptance and recognition for Nigerian film is do to the successful 1992 production, Living in Bondage . The objective for many Nigerian and Igala filmmakers is to bring African film into the same light as industries in Western countries. The Nigerian and Igala film industries are often referred to as Nollywood , or Igawood. These titles are sometimes viewed as controversial as they imply
2944-415: The lineage of the area. While this legend is not considered a concrete historical account, the story represents important aspects of Igala culture, especially in the importance of hunting. In fact, several of the villages take on names that represent the type of game that would be found there. This naming convention includes a village called Oju-Ocha, meaning, 'the place where guinea-fowl come to wash'. Hunting
3008-473: The location of cultivar in various ecological locations. The Igala landscape is also conducive to hunting. These animals include the Buffalo, Antelope , and Wild pig . The Igala kingdom is ruled by an "Attah", of all of whom Atta Ayegba Oma Idoko and Atta Ameh Oboni are the two most revered. In Igala lore, Oma Idoko is said to have offered his beloved daughter by burying her alive to ensure that Igala won
3072-489: The mid-nineteenth century, and up to the point of being taken over by the British. The Igalaland saw a rise in rebellion from Idah; this meant a rise in independent colonies by subjects of the Attah. Prior to the rebellions, around 1826, political turmoil in Idah led to the exile of their leader at the time. This was followed by discourse in the election for the new Attah. Differing clans in the area were in dispute over who should take
3136-452: The national earth shrine. The Igala people believe in a supreme creator referred to as Ojo Ojo . While Ojo Ojo is the highest ruler, he is considered to be so divine that he does not work among the human realm. Instead, Ojo Ojo bestows powers upon other gods to interact with everyday human life. Igala divine beings are organised into a three part hierarchy; gods, ancestors, and diviners. Igala ancestors are called Ibegwu. Ibegwu have
3200-408: The new Kogi State. Economically, Kogi State is largely based around agriculture , mainly of coffee , cashew , groundnut , cocoa , oil palm , and yam crops. Other key industries are coal, limestone, marbles, Iron-Ore, feldspar, clay, cassiterite, columbite and tantalite, gold, gems, quartz, mica crude oil extraction and the livestock herding of cattle , goats , and sheep . Kogi has both
3264-474: The past year, in hopes for more blessings in the year to follow. The Igala people believe that there are three different realms the human spirit will occupy in their existence; life after birth, adult life, and life after death. The ancestral spirits are very important to the people of the mortal world. It is the goal of the Igala people to maintain a balanced relationship with their ancestors by honouring them through rituals and offerings. If properly honoured,
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#17328487198733328-399: The present kingdom has diminished in size, Igala people and their culture have been an integral part of the formation of the communities along the Niger River , with many communities claiming an ethnogenesis from Idah , the ancestral home of the Igala. Minorities of the group exist in and are native to Edo , Delta , Anambra and Enugu states. The Igala Kingdom expanded vastly beyond
3392-643: The present-day boundary. Their homeland, the former Igala Kingdom , is a triangular area of about 14,000 km (5,400 sq mi) in the angle formed by the Benue and Niger rivers. The area was formerly known as the Igala Division of Kabba province and is now part of Kogi State . Its capital was Idah , in Kogi state. The bulk of the Igala people reside in Kogi where they can be found in Idah, Igalamela/Odolu , Ajaka, Ofu, Olamaboro , Dekina , Bassa, Ankpa, Omala, Edo, Lokoja , Ibaji, and Ajaokuta Local Government. Smaller communities and enclaves exist in
3456-595: The prime minister of the Igala kingdom, known as the Achadu oko-ata , for onward approval by the Kogi State Government. The word anẹ̀ Igala means Igalaland is regarded to be the territory where the people are speaking the Igala language. The early settlement in the Igala kingdom were founded by the ancestors of the people now known as the Igala-Mela with traditions that means "the nine Igala". The efunyi or ofigbeli
3520-402: The state during the period. Roads were unmotorable due to the flood. Many school buildings became refugee camps. Houses were submerged. Property and infrastructure was badly affected. Crops in farm fields were seriously damaged. The flood caused deaths, loss of property and destruction of farmland and produce estimated at N63.4 billion in nine local government areas of Kogi state. Kogi State
3584-508: The state is within the tropical Guinean forest–savanna mosaic ecoregion . Important geographic features include the key rivers, with the Niger flowing from the northwest and the Benue coming from the northeast before the two rivers meet in Kogi's centered and bisect the state southward. Kogi State has been inhabited for years by various ethnic groups, including the Igala , Ebira , Oko (Mainly Ogori and Magongo), Gbagyi , and Nupe (mainly
3648-483: The state. Sportsmen from the state include Shola Ameobi who played football as a striker for Newcastle United and for other English Premier League teams. Sunday Bada was a 400 metre sprinter who won three medals at the World Indoor Championships , including a gold medal in 1997, and won a gold medal with the Nigerian team in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2000 Olympics . The State government
3712-605: The surrounding regions and states along the Niger basin . The geographical location played an important role in the development of the Igala Kingdom. Igala is situated between the apex of the Niger River and Benue River, with the capital, Idah, on the Niger River. Being located by the two main bodies of water in Nigeria brought an abundance of cultural influence from various communities such as Igbo , Yoruba , Edo , and Jukun . The Igala economy grew from trading, but traditionally,
3776-436: The threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government Areas. Three senators have represented Kogi state since the return of democracy in 1999. The state is divided into three senatorial districts, with Kogi East, Kogi West and Kogi Central returning one senator each. Igala people The Igala people are
3840-492: The throne because each clan supported a different lineage of kingship. The dispute over who would take on the role of the Attah lead to economic and political rivalry among the various clans. It is an Igala legend that the Igalaland was discovered and founded by a hunter who found the area to be ideal for hunting. The legend says that the hunter's camp became the original grounds for the Igala settlement and his family carried on
3904-440: The worst flood disaster s in the history of the state. This is according to the state governor, Yahaya Bello , who said that "flooding has affected the nine LGAs which borders the Niger and Benue rivers to include, Lokoja, Kogi-Koto, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu, Bassa, Idah, Ibaji and Omala". In 2012, floods ravaged the state of Kogi and others in Nigeria. A total of 623,690 displaced people were accommodated in 87 camps across
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#17328487198733968-473: Was a large unit of settlement consisting of two or more clans under their am'onofe -unyi , the family heads. In these primary settlements, membership was strictly based on agnatic kinship ties such as Am'om'onobule , the am'ana , the in-laws, the am'adu , the domestic slaves were absorbed into the settlement on the understanding that they accepted their social and political limitations in certain issues. The Igala Central Government became weak leading up to
4032-561: Was a part of the post-independence Northern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of the North-Western State , Kwara State , and Benue-Plateau State . After the defunct Benue-Plateau and the North-Western states were splitted in 1976, Kogi became a part of the new Benue and Niger states along with Kwara. Western Benue State, southeastern Kwara State, and far southern Niger State were carved out to form
4096-469: Was established to promote tourism in the state. The state government plans and harnesses the high potentials of tourism including the development of historical landmarks at Lokoja. Kogi State connects the Federal Capital Territory with 22 Southern States. Federal Highways are: Other major roads include The River Niger and Benue are both navigable waterways. Being in close proximity to
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