International Women’s Day 2021: The Legend Of Princess Inikpi
-March 8 every year is a day that is set aside to celebrate the historic journey of women in the world
-The celebration which is over a century old, comes as a reminder that a lot has been achieved and a lot more is yet to be done
-Naija FM will recount the story of Princess Inikpi of Igala, a symbol of International Women’s day
March 8 is the International Women’s Day. A day that is set aside to celebrate great women who are the backbone of society.
This article will talk about a brave woman who put her kingdom above herself: Princess Inikpi.
Princess Inikpi is recognized among the Igala people as a brave and beautiful woman, whose sacrifice rescued the Igala tribe.
Igala is an ethnic group of Nigeria. Their tribe was a part of Igala division of Kabba province. It is now a part of Kogi state.
Princess Inikpi was the only daughter of Ayegbu Oma Idoko, the Atta of Igala Kingdom at that time. She was regarded as her father’s beloved because of this.
When the Igala tribe was at war with the people of Benin, the land was unsafe and they had their farmlands taken. They also had their streams poisoned.
The Igala Kingdom was at risk of starvation when the priest consulted the oracle. It was revealed that the daughter of the king had to be buried to save the kingdom.
The King was heartbroken to discover that this was the solution to this tribe’s problem.
He tried hiding it from his daughter, Inikpi but eventually told her after being pestered.
The princess agreed to lay down her life and be buried to save the tribe.
Inikpi was buried on the bank of River Niger along with nine other slaves to serve in the journey to the afterlife.
When Igala land was set to be attacked by warriors from Benin, the enemies discovered that the whole kingdom was in flames.
The kingdom, however, wasn’t. The people of Benin were deceived by the sacrifice of the Princess. They left without attacking the town.
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To this day, the people of Igala are grateful for the sacrifice of Princess Inikpi that helped her tribe prevent what would have been a deadly attack.
A statue of the princess was erected in Idah and many plays have been written in honor of the selfless princess.
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