Legend of Igala princess who willingly died to save her people from destruction
Princess Inikpi was a beautiful and intelligent young woman, who offered herself as a sacrifice and was buried alive to save Igala people from doom.
She was the only daughter of her parents, the Atah Ayegba Oma Idoko and queen Omele.
The Igala Kingdom at about the 15th and 16th century was at loggerheads with the Benin Kingdom, one of their strongest enemies.
The Benin warriors persistently attacked Igala land to the extent of wanting to annihilate the people.
The Bini warriors employed different tactics, including poisoning the streams, sudden attacks in the day and night, and laying siege to their farmland.
The Igala people then lived in constant fear, as they could not go to the farm or to the stream.
Owing to this, the chiefs consulted the oracle, which proclaimed that the only remedy to the safety of the kingdom and victory in war, was for the king to bury his most beloved daughter, Inikpi, alive.
The king had four male children — Akogu, Agada, Eleme, Ohiemi Obogo — and Inikpi his only female child. He loved Inikpi so much, which was one of the reasons she was always in the palace with the father.
The king was distraught and for days could not eat or drink. He pleaded with the oracle to accept slaves, but it insisted it must be the royal blood of Inikpi.
The Princess noticed her father’s unhappy mood and tried to find out why, but he would not tell her.
She became worried too and persisted to ask until the seventh day, the king told her what the oracle said he should do to save Igala land and the people from destruction.
Knowing the reason for her father’s sad mood, Inikpi promised to offer herself. Her acceptance brought mourning across the land, especially from Omele, her mother.
On the appointed day, Inikpi went to the bank of River Niger at Ida and was buried alive alongside nine virgin slaves that would help her thereafter.
After the sacrifice, as the Bini warriors advanced, they saw the whole Igala land in flames and retreated, believing that there was no need taking the war to a town already on fire. But it was the blood of Inikpi that deceived them, according to history.
Inikpi’s sacrifice brought unending joy, peace, and security to Igala Kingdom. It liberated the people from the shackles of their surrounding enemies, as the Igala army was no longer defeated at wars.
Inikpi lived and died a virgin and her courageous act has caused many parents to name their daughters after her. Her statue is at Ega in Idah market in Kogi State.
Compiled by Omiko Awa.
