Meaning Of The Word “IGALA”
IGALA is a compound word with “Iga” as it root and “Ala” as a qualify noun, in Igala language iga mean partition, blockade, a dividing wall e.g partition of India. And the qualify noun Ala means “sheep” this could implied that the first settler in Igala land (the Igala mela) saw them self as God flocks or sheep that eventually found their greener pasture in this location. The probably felt it’s better they settled here as they saw it was a fertile land with prospect and they settled here from antiquity. Perhaps, the make Iga-Ala mela, that’s making nine “sheep’s” apportionment, partition, dividing wall or fences against possible invading troops as it was common those days in search of formidable security, they were then referred to generally as Iga Ala people. The name therefore gradually metamorphosis from IGA ALA to IGALA as a result of a combination of two vowel sound (a+a). The name must have come in the figurative sense of people referring to themselves as a sheep’s feel shield and protected under it’s Shepherd.
God (Ojo) is often seen by Igalas as Ochamachala (owner of the entire universe), Odobogagwu (the all powerful one), Ane-Magedo (the all courageous one) etc.
This sense of been protect under the shadow of God was extended into the naming of certain street, UBI-IGA (behind the partition), in Idah during the Benin/Igala war in A.D 1515 bcos of the partition against foreign invaders. Other part of Igalaland are not left out in the naming after their functions. for instance, village’s which served as formidable invasion against foreign invasion at a certain period of history or others had such names, e.g Iga-Ebijeh (iron partition ), Iga-Ikeje (Ikeje’s wall), Igaliwo (Aliwo’s wall) Iga-Olijo, Iga-Agbo, Iga-Ojo, etc. It’s interesting to note that Iga’s were particularly erected in those days for defensive purpose.
According to aral tradition, the Odogo ( ancient storey building) in Attah palace was used as a hideout, from there the soldiers had a full view of far over and across the cliff near the Niger river. By this means they were able to detect the enemy troops from far distance. River is also believed to have served as another shield against enemies.
From the above, it’s obvious that igala people are people who feel highly secure under God umbrella. That’s why in time of adversity, they would simply exclaim “OJOMA”. IGALA meaning is not in any way connected to that of “Antelopes” in Yoruba language……. Linking of Igala to Yemen in Arabia is another highly speculative opinion. This story was probably a device of the northerners to enslave Igala people. The people of Igala have long settle before Gala’s entered Ethiopia. Bcos tradition has it that it was only in the century A.D that Gala migration to Ethiopia took place. In addition, it quite improbable that the Semite gala’s would metamorphosis into negroes of a contemporary Igala land overnight. The similarities in the name is thereby merely coincidental.
Mali connection remain baseless too because the similarities between “mela” (nine of them ) of the igala mela is no way attributed to “9” as originated from Mali. To the Igala mind, ‘nine’ symbolize perfectness.
Likewise, the supposition that Igala came from Fulani carries no weight, since “no tradition in Igala supported it. History attested to the that the Fulani were still in the region of Senegal at the time the Igala have a centralized state system in the 12 century. Again’ that the Igala have a traditional Link with Benin kingdom is indubitable. There are bound of theories for instance, that support Benin origin of Igala kingdom, However’ there was already in existence indigenous Igala people with their kingship system before the arrival of Benin king, but it must be understood that at some stage of Igala history, the Benin people wielded some power of influence over them. The tradition which holds that Igala have the same origin with the Yoruba seems to be a plausible one, this humble submission is Based on a fact that Igala language has a lot of common with the Yoruba. Okwoli supported this view when he said: when people speak the same language or a related language, there is every reason to believed they have common origin or they met somewhere.
THE JUKUN/IGALA LINKS: though they were certain Jukun migrants who came among the Igala at a some stage of development in Igala kingdom it’s quite true but mind you igalas were in existence before the arrival of JUKUNS.
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