The following is a list of rulers of Nri. The title of the ruler of Nri is ''Eze Nri''. He held religious and political authority over the

Kingdom of Nri The Kingdom of Nri () was a medieval polity located in what is now Nigeria. The kingdom existed as a sphere of religious and political influence over a significant part of what is known today as Igboland prior to expansion, and was administered ...

. The Nri culture is believed to stretch back to at least the 13th century, with a traditional foundation by ''

Eri Eri may refer to: People * Eri (biblical figure) * Eri (given name), a Japanese feminine given name, including lists of people and fictional characters * Eri (king), the progenitor of the Umu-Eri and Umu-Nri-Igbo ancient Nigerian city-states * ...

'' dated 948. The 15th recorded ''Eze Nri'', Òbalíke, was deposed by the British administration in favour of the "warrant chief" system, but the title continued to be held; the current ''Eze Nri'', Ènweleána II Obidiegwu Onyeso, was instated in 1988.

Selection

The eze Nri was chosen by the Nze and Nzemabua (state leadership) and had to be recognized by the general public. Before being crowned, he could not have a living father. The potential eze Nri also had to prove he was the choice of God (''Chukwu''), Eri (founder of Nri), the ancestors ("ndiichie") and spirits (''alusi'') through revelations and visions confirmed by diviners. After this, must travel to Aguleri to obtain a lump of clay from the bottom of ''Omambala''the

Anambra River The Anambra River ( Igbo: Ọmambala) flows into the Niger River and is found in Anambra, Nigeria. The river is the most important feeder of the River Niger below Lokoja. The flow of the Ọmambala River is released into the Atlantic through va ...

. The clay is used to make the ritual pot (''odudu'') for the shrine to Nri Menri. After various other rituals such as causing the magical ripening of a fruit palm and undergoing a ritual burial and reviving, the eze Nri was proclaimed and saluted as ''igwe'' (meaning "heavenly one").

List of recorded Eze Nri

It is difficult to trace the exact dates for an individual eze Nri, because there was an interregnum after each one's death. During this time, the priests of the eze Nri waited for someone to manifest the signs indicating they were the next priest-king. The following list is based entirely on '' Igbo Civilization: Nri Kingdom & Hegemony'' by M. Angulu Onwuejeogwu (1981). ,

948-1041 , , , , , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Ìfikuánim Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo word which means King. Such titles as Igwe, Ezeike and '' Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbos as crown title. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or ''Eluigwekala'', "the sky or heaven above the sky is ...

1043–1089 , , , , , , , , , - , Eze Nri Nàmóke
1090–1158 , , , , Diodo , , , , , - , Eze Nri Buífè
1159–1259 , , , , Obeagụ Unified Ọfọ N’alọ Agukwu and Diodo , , , , , - , Eze Nri Ọmalọ
1260–1299 , , , , Uruọji , , , , , - , Eze Nri Jiọfọ I
1300–1390 , , , , Uruọji , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Ọmalonyeso Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo word which means King. Such titles as Igwe, Ezeike and '' Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbos as crown title. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or ''Eluigwekala'', "the sky or heaven above the sky i ...

1391–1464 , , , , Obeagu , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Anyamata Eze Nri Anyamata was the seventh king of Nri Kingdom The Kingdom of Nri () was a medieval polity located in what is now Nigeria. The kingdom existed as a sphere of religious and political influence over a significant part of what is known today ...

1465–1511 , , , , Uruọji , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Fenenu Eze Nri Fenenu was the eighth king of Nri Kingdom after succeeding Eze Nri Anyamata Eze Nri Anyamata was the seventh king of Nri Kingdom The Kingdom of Nri () was a medieval polity located in what is now Nigeria. The kingdom existed as a sphe ...

1512–1582 , , , , Agbadana , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Agụ Eze Nri Agụ was the ninth king of Nri Kingdom after succeeding Eze Nri Fenenu Eze Nri Fenenu was the eighth king of Nri Kingdom after succeeding Eze Nri Anyamata Eze Nri Anyamata was the seventh king of Nri Kingdom The Kingdom of Nri () was ...

1583–1676 , , , , Obeagu , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Apia and Nri–Alike Eze Nri Apia and Nri–Alike were the first and only kings to rule Nri Kingdom as joint monarchs. After succeeding Eze Nri Agụ Eze Nri Agụ was the ninth king of Nri Kingdom after succeeding Eze Nri Fenenu Eze Nri Fenenu was the eighth king o ...

1677–1700 , , , , Both from Uruọji , , , , Both died the same day , - ,

Eze Nri Ezimilo Eze Nri Ezimilo was the eleventh king of the Nri Kingdom who reigned from 1701 to 1723 CE after succeeding Eze Nri Apia and Nri–Alike Eze Nri Apia and Nri–Alike were the first and only kings to rule Nri Kingdom as joint monarchs. After succe ...

1701–1723 , , , , Agbadana , , , , AssassinatedMurder at Montpelier By Douglas B. Chambers notes p. 253 , - , Eze Nri Èwenétem
1724–1794 , , , , Agbadana , , , , , - , Eze Nri Ènweleána I
1795–1886 , , , , Obeagu , , , , , - , Eze Nri Òbalíke
1889–1936 , , Eze Nri Obalike

, , Uruoji , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Jiọfọ II Taabansi Udene Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo language, Igbo word which means King. Such titles as Igwe of Nnewi kingdom, Igwe, Ezeike and ''Obi of Onitsha, Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbos as crown title. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or ' ...

1937–1979 , , , , Agbadana , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Ènweleána II Obidiegwu Onyeso Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo word which means King. Such titles as Igwe, Ezeike and '' Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbos as crown title. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or ''Eluigwekala'', "the sky or heaven above the sky is h ...

(MFR)
1988-current , , , , Obeagu , , , ,

Footnotes

References

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Nri Rulers *Rulers Lists of Igbo people Lists of rulers in Africa * Nigeria history-related lists Igbo warriors Lists of Nigerian people

Selection

List of recorded Eze Nri

See also

Footnotes

References