Idah

Idah stands on the eastern bank of the Niger and was the capital of the Igala kingdom. Its ruler, the Attah, held political and sacred authority, supported by titled officials and ties to local communities. Traditions among several peoples along the river trace the descent of their rulers to Idah, reflecting the reach of its court beyond the town itself.

The Igala kingdom lay between the Niger and Benue rivers, whose confluence helped bring it into contact with a wide range of neighbouring peoples. Idah's position linked the court to communities along the Niger, while routes inland connected it with other societies. Farming, fishing and trade sustained life in this riverine region, where political authority and exchange crossed a landscape of many languages and communities.