The first seven Eze Nris, known by the regnal title ‘Nri Namoke,’ originated from the Diodo section of Nri Town. Over time, oral traditions have condensed their reigns into the story of a single king, simply referred to as Nrinamoke. Below are brief profiles of these rulers and their successors:
1.Ogbuodudu Akakọmme (Nri Namoke I)
Ogbuodudu, also called Okporo Odudu, was the first Nri Namoke and a son of Eri. He migrated from Aguleri to Amanuke, and later moved to what is now Nri Town, after a brief stay in Achalla-Isuana. He founded the Diodo section, from where future kings emerged until power eventually shifted to the Agụkwu section under Nribụife.
2.Edu Ani (Nri Namoke II)
Son of Ogbuodudu, Edu Ani was a highly respected Eze Nri. His influence reached far beyond Nri, even impacting the traditions and rituals of Akụ, near Nsụka. Notably, the Akụ people attribute the introduction of the Odo cult to ritual agents from Nri during his reign.
3. Nri Egbobe (Nri Namoke III)
A controversial figure, Nri Egbobe was not a legitimate successor by blood. His brief and tyrannical reign ended in his deposition. The Diodo people abandoned him in the Evil Forest, where he died after cursing the town. His curse is believed to have contributed to the underpopulation of Diodo, leading to a shift in power to Agụkwu.
4. Anwụ Obele (Nri Namoke IV)
5.Odunukwe (Nri Namoke V)
6. Agufugo Egbeli (Nri Namoke VI)
Little is known about these kings, who likely ruled in the 15th century.
7.Ezeagụ Akubilo (Nri Namoke VII)
By his reign, the Agụkwu section had gained prominence under Nri Ifikuanim, who established a parallel kingship. Ezeagụ’s daughter married into the Nri Ifikuanim family, giving birth to Nribụife, the first Eze Nri from Agụkwu. In his old age, Ezeagụ cursed the Diodo people for neglecting him, declaring that the kingship would never return to them.
8.Nribụife
The grandson of Ezeagụ Akubilo, Nribụife united the two moieties of Agụkwu and Diodo-Akamkpịsị, creating a single kingship. He established the Council of State known as Nzemabụa, composed of twelve high-ranking ozo titleholders.
9.Nri Ọmalọ :
Only his name has been remembered.
10. Nrijimọfọ I :
A prominent king, Nrijimọfọ expanded Nri’s influence across the northern and western Igbo regions, consolidating power that had already extended to areas like Nsụka and Ọlụ.
11.Nri Ọmalonyeso :
Little is known beyond his name.
12. Nri Anyamata :
His reign, likely in the mid-17th century, was marked by a severe drought and famine that affected the entire Nri-influenced region.
13. Nri Fenenu :
Known for his mystical abilities, Nri Fenenu was believed to possess the power of levitation. His reign was characterized by the appearance of locusts, adding to his renown. However, his supernatural feats disturbed the people, leading to his ritual death.
14.Nri Agụ :
Nri Agụ’s reign saw a flourishing of trade and the establishment of Nri settlements in western Igboland, including Ọgwashị-Ukwu and Ogboli Igboụzọ. However, he eventually abdicated and left Nri to settle in Ọraukwu.
15.Nri Alike and Nri Apịa:
Both wealthy men, Alike and Apịa became co-kings after a period of political turmoil. Their reign coincided with the expansion of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. While they condoned the slave trade, they forbade the killing or bleeding of slaves.
16. Nri Ezimilo:
A former ritual agent, Nri Ezimilo was murdered by thieves from Enugwu Ukwu shortly after becoming king. His death led to a severe drought, which was said to have affected all of Igboland.
17.Nri Enwenetem :
In a unique departure from tradition, Nri Enwenetem succeeded his father immediately after Nri Ezimilo’s death, without the customary interregnum. The drought only ended after Enugwu Ukwu made amends for the murder by offering compensation to Nri.
18. Nri Añụa :
A short-reigned king, Nri Añụa abdicated due to his advanced age. His reign is largely forgotten, but his descendants have kept his memory alive.
19. Nri Enweleana I :
Nri Añụa was to be succeeded by a man named Nwankpọ, but a young and ambitious figure staged what can only be described as a coup, taking the throne as Nri Enweleana I. His reign was marked by turbulence, as it coincided with the rise of the infamous Arọ slave trader, Okoli Ijọma of Ndịkeliọnwụ, whose raids greatly impacted the Nri-influenced areas.
20Nri Ọmalonyeso :
Little is remembered about Nri Ọmalonyeso, apart from his name. His reign, while seemingly uneventful, contributed to the continuity of the Nri dynasty.
21. Nri Anyamata
This Eze Nri’s reign, likely during the mid-17th century, is remembered for a devastating drought that struck the Nri territory, possibly part of the broader climatic changes of the Little Ice Age in West Africa. Severe famine followed, leaving a lasting impression on the collective memory of the people. Scholars differ on the exact dating of his reign, with estimates ranging from the late 15th to the mid-17th century.
22.Nri Fenenu
Known for his extraordinary mystical powers, Nri Fenenu reigned in the late 17th century and was believed to have lived for over 100 years. His reign is associated with the legendary arrival of locusts, an event linked to his supernatural abilities. In his final years, Fenenu reportedly mastered levitation, a feat that unnerved his subjects. Tradition holds that he eventually descended from his elevated state after the elders of Agụkwu petitioned him to die like an ordinary king, leading to his ritual death and burial. His lineage, the Ụmụnnechi, was subsequently barred from ever producing another Eze Nri, a prohibition that remains in place today.
