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 third of Igboland, and was administered by a priest-king called an ''Eze Nri''. The ''Eze Nri ...

. 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 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 Nri Ìfikuánim was the first king of the 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 third of Igboland, and was admini ...

1043-1089 , , , , , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Nàmóke Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo language, Igbo word which means King. Such words as Igwe and ''Obi_(ruler), Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbo people as titles of respect and homage to the Eze. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or '' ...

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
1391-1464 , , , , Obeagu , , , , , - , Eze Nri Anyamata
1465-1511 , , , , Uruọji , , , , , - , Eze Nri Fenenu
1512-1582 , , , , Agbadana , , , , , - , Eze Nri Agụ
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 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 third of Igbo ...

1677-1700 , , , , Both from Uruọji , , , , Both died the same day , - , Eze Nri Ezimilo
1701-1723 , , , , Agbadana , , , , AssassinatedMurder at Montpelier By Douglas B. Chambers notes p. 253 , - ,

Eze Nri Èwenétem Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo word which means King. Such words as Igwe and ''Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbo people as titles of respect and homage to the Eze. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or ''Eluigwekala'', "the sky or h ...

1724-1794 , , , , Agbadana , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Ènweleána I Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo word which means King. Such words as Igwe and ''Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbo people as titles of respect and homage to the Eze. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or ''Eluigwekala'', "the sky or h ...

1795-1886 , , , , Obeagu , , , , , - , Eze Nri Òbalíke
1889-1936 , , Eze Nri Obalike

, , Uruoji , , , , , - ,

Eze Nri Jiọfọ II Taabansi Udene Eze (pronounced ) is an Igbo word which means King. Such words as Igwe and ''Obi'', plus others, are used by Igbo people as titles of respect and homage to the Eze. Igwe is derived from the Igbo word ''Igwekala'' or ''Eluigwekala'', "the sky or h ...

1937-1987 , , , , Agbadana , , , , , - , Eze Nri Ènweleána II Obidiegwu Onyeso (MFR)
1988-current , , , , Obeagu , , , ,

Footnotes

Sources

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Rulers Of Nri *

Nri NRI or Nri may refer to : * Kingdom of Nri, an Igbo kingdom that flourished between the 10th century and early 20th century * National Radio Institute, a now defunct post-secondary vocational correspondence school * National Resources Inventory * N ...

* Nigeria-related lists Igbo warriors

Selection

List of recorded Eze Nri

See also

Footnotes

Sources