Adagba means elephant in English language while Idu means lion. These two “animals” are very important in Igala culture. Males (Men, youth, children) greet the Atta Igala as Agaba-Idu or Gaba-Idu which means “Lion of the Lions”.
The images of the head of lion are drawn or carved on various seats of Attah too. But Adagba (Elephant) is the emblem (symbol) of Igala people. Elephant is found on Igala clothes, designs, stickers, cultural houses, and the sculpture (Image) of Adagba is standing in front of Attah Igala’s palace in Idah, Kogi state till date. And do you know what? Adagba (elephant) is the symbol on the number plate of the vehicles of Attah Igala.
Well, here they are.
The elephant as the symbol of Igala stands for or denotes the size of Igala kingdom. Recall that Igala kingdom spanned through Onitsha in Anambra state to Bayelsa state, Koto-karfe in Kogi state, Otukpo, Agila,… in Benue state, etc before the British colonialists came in “yesterday” and did their “divisions” which made many think we are only in Kogi state before now.
But, today, you are all aware that Igala people are now indigenes of 6 Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria and Outside Countries like USA, Brazil Ethiopia, Kenya, Cuba…etc hence, the Elephant represent -OUR SIZE. To the best of my knowledge, elephant is the BIGGEST animal around so far.
And for the Lion, it denotes the Braveness, courageous, Majesty or Fearlessness of Igala people. We were brave, and we are still brave irrespective of our locations across the world. So, know what Elephant and Idu stand for in Igala culture. Igala social studies teachers, are you with me? Tell your children this. And you, know it now.
#Igala_History
#igalaforever
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