Igala Is a compound word with “Iga” as its root and “Ala” as the qualifying noun. In Igala language, Iga means a partition, blockade, a dividing wall and the qualifying noun, Ala means “Sheep”.
The ruling figure of the Igala ethnic group is known as the ‘Attah.’ The word Attah simply means ‘Father’ and the full title of the ruler is ‘Attah Igala’, meaning, the Father of Igalas (the Igala word for King is Onu)
The “Atta” is the traditional paramount king of the Igala kingdom. “Atta”, as the name implies is the father or custodian of the entire Igala people’s culture.
Tradition holds that “The Atta of Igala (the king) was a priest-king. He was in charge of the major Igala sacred objects, shrines and festivals. His provincial chiefs (Am ‘Onu) were also in charge of the various shrines, sacred objects, and festivals in their own areas of authority.
Atta and his chiefs (Am ‘Onu) therefore, play very active roles in the traditional religion.
Idah, the cultural center or headquarter of the Kingdom is where the Attah resides. From there he cares for the entire kingdom.
He also delegates certain powers to other chiefs, as it is also their responsibility in some cases to exercise power of adjudication in matters of dispute among their immediate subjects.
Attaship is hereditary and it is ascended to by those who belong to the royal lineage. It is by a rotating system of succession in which three other lineages hold the royal office in turn before the cycle is complete and a son succeeds his father.
With Atta Ayegba Om’Idoko, the kingdom was zoned in the 17th century A.D. into smaller units in order to decentralize authority.
Then in 1905, the British created the districts. These districts comprised Ankpa, Dekina, Egwume., Ejema, Imane. Iga, Ika, Ogwugwu, Ojokwu. Atabaka (Okpo), Biraidu (Abocho), Ife (Abejukolo). Odu, Iyale, Emekwutu, Okenyi, Ojokiti, As these districts were formed and “trustworthy relatives and followers” were sent to rule, these were given the ‘traditional titles of “Onu” (the principal person or chief).
Some Igala tradition holds that an Atta gave the Nupes a Kingdom, He bestowed the rule of Nupe country to Edegi (Tsoede), one of the sons he had from a Nupe mother.
He gave riches of various types to him and gave him different symbol of kingship: a bronze Canoe, twelve Nupe slaves. the bronze Okakachi (Trumpet) which are still being used by Northern Nigerian, state drums hung with brass belts and heavy iron chains and fetters which were endowed with strong magic power.
Tsoede or Edegi then became the ruler of the Nupe people and took the title of Etsu (King) and the Nupe kingdom became an ally to Igala.
