Princess Inikpi Explained

Princess Inikpi was the virgin princess of the Igala Kingdom, buried alive to save the kingdom from the doom of the Igala-Benin war in 1515-1516 during the rein of Ata Ayegba Oma-idoko. Her statue is still standing at her burial spot at Ega market close to river Niger in Idah, Kogi State Nigeria. Many Igala have named their daughters after her.^[1]

Inikpi was the protagonist in the 2020 film The Legend of Inikpi, directed by Frank Rajah Arase.^[2]

Histories

The Igala kingdom sovereignty, peace and existence was perpetually threatened by the then Benin kingdom. To avert the impending doom of war and grant the kingdom victory, Princess inikpi the only daughter of the King became the sacrificial lamb requested by the oracle.^[1] Princess Inikpi offers herself to be sacrificed despite resistance by the King Ayegba.

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2019-07-28 . Inikpi, self-sacrificing Igala Princess . 2022-08-29 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
2. Web site: Mercy Johnson to release movie 'Legend of Inikpi' on Jan. 24. 2020-01-08. The Sun Nigeria. en-US. 2020-05-06.