Igala in Diaspora and their Role in Nation Building since the Pre-colonial Period

Abstract

The establishment of Igala society as one of the earliest kingdoms in the Niger-Benue confluence following its independence from the Jukun Kwararafa Empire, preceded the coming of the Europeans. Its emergence as a pre-colonial naval and infantry power led to the exodus of its people across the rivers Niger, Benue and Anambra respectively out of its traditional triangular settlement. Thus, the legitimacies of such settlements have to do with the theory of early arrival, otherwise known as autochthonic argument, diplomatic negotiation and power. Whereas some of such settlements were assimilated to their bigger neighbours’ cultures, others were adulterated from their original Igala culture. This enhances common social structure between them and their neighbours. This essay is an in-depth study of such acculturation, with a view to bringing out the role and contribution of the Igala people in diaspora to nation building. The study employs both primary and secondary sources of data. Historiography is used to obtain information from archival documents while in-depth interview was employed to source information on the nature of Igala people in diaspora. The secondary sources involve reviews of earlier publications related to Igala people by various authors.