The Founding Ancestry of the Igbo: A Narration of Their History and Migration

According to Marcus Garvey, an individual without the knowledge of his or her origin and history is like a tree without roots. This principle holds true for the Igbo people of Nigeria, who owe much of their identity to their ancestral roots and the narratives that have been passed down over generations.

History of the Igbo

According to biblical records, Jacob, the eleventh son of Isaac, had twelve sons who formed the twelve tribes of Israel. Among these sons, Gad was notable as the seventh son of Jacob. The lineage of Gad is further traced through his seven sons, culminating in Eri, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbbon, Eri, Arode, and Areli. Eri and Arode are central to the founding of the Igbo people, as they are credited with leading the migration that eventually established the Igbo ancestral home in Agulueri.

Migration

The story of the Igbo people begins with a period of famine that lasted seven years in ancient Israel. Under the reign of Amenhotep IV, also known as Akhenaten, during the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Jacob and his family moved to Egypt. Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob, had risen to the position of governor under Amenhotep IV. Akhenaten's reign marked a significant shift in Egyptian religion from the worship of many gods to the worship of a single deity, the Aten—symbolized by the sun.

Several generations later, under another pharaoh, the children of Israel faced persecution. Eri, the fifth son of Gad, foresaw this and decided to leave Egypt with his younger brothers Arode and Areli. Arode later became the founder of the Ijaw people, and other descendants of Eri and Arode became the Edos of southeastern Nigeria. The journey led them through Ethiopia and Sudan, eventually landing in Agulueri around 1380 BCE, where they established their ancestral home.

In Agulueri, a village known for its significance in Igbo heritage, a house still stands that was built by Eri, known as Obi Gad. This term in Igbo means "Palace," symbolizing the leadership and importance of Gad in the Igbo lineage. Eri and his brothers lived together, developing a distinct culture and language, which is remembered as NDI-IGBO, meaning "Igbo people." Eri gave birth to three sons: Agulu, Atta, and Menri, each of whom became the great ancestors of different Igbo clans and kingdoms.

Eri and His Legacy

Eri was the progenitor of the Agulueri people of modern-day Anambra State. His eldest son, Agulu, was the great ancestor of the Agulueri people. The second son, Atta, became the great ancestor of the people of Atta Kingdom in Kogi State. Menri, the youngest of Eri's sons, was the great ancestor of the Nri Kingdom, an important Igbo kingdom in Anambra State. The descendants of Eri, Agulu, and Menri spread across various regions, contributing to the rich tapestry of Igbo culture and settlement.

Eri's descendants include:

Igbo Etiti Igbo Izugbe Igbo Eze (known today as the Nsukka people, occupying Anambra and Enugu States) Old Anambra, Delta, and Enugu states Arochukwu (in Abia State; industrious and rich, they developed Aba, known as the Japan of Nigeria) Owerri, Umuahia, Diobu (Port Harcourt), Okigwe, Nkwerre, Orlu, Mbano, Mbaise, Elele (all in Imo State), and Port Harcourt

The life of Eri was legendary. He lived to be 140 years old and was interred in Obi Gad in Agulueri. His legacy continues to be celebrated and remembered as a pivotal figure in Igbo history.

Arode and Areli also played significant roles in the development of other ethnic groups. Arode moved to Arochukwu in Abia State, where he founded a town known for its industrious nature and its role in the early development of towns and infrastructure in modern-day Nigeria. His descendants, known as the Nembe, Ngwa, Abakaliki, Ogoni, Afikpo, Aro-ikot ekpene (in Akwa Ibom State), Aro-ochie (in Rivers State), and Arondizuogu (in Imo State), contributed significantly to the cultural and economic landscape of the region.

Areli, the wisest of the brothers, contributed to the development of the Igbo language, spoken by the Igbo people today. His descendants, including the Owerri, Umuahia, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Okigwe, Nkwerre, Orlu, Mbano, Mbaise, and Elele, all in Imo State and Port Harcourt, preserved and expanded this heritage.

The narrative of the Igbo people, centered around the ancestral figure of Eri, provides a rich foundation for understanding their cultural and historical roots. This story not only highlights the significance of Eri and his descendants but also underscores the importance of their journey and contributions to modern Nigeria.