Princess Inikpi | |
---|---|
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.[1] 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.[2]
Inikpi was the protagonist in the 2020 film The Legend of Inikpi, directed by Frank Rajah Arase.[3]
The Igala kingdom sovereignty, peace and existence was perpetually threatened by the then Benin kingdom.[4] 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.[4][2] Princess Inikpi offers herself to be sacrificed despite resistance by the King Ayegba.[5]