In this compelling heritage episode, Prince Chukwuemeka Onyesoh, Oba Agbalanze Na Nri, reveals the ancient spiritual and political origins of the Nri Dynasty — the sacred foundation of the Igbo people. He explains how Eze Nri, the Priest-King of Igboland, led through spiritual authority and moral order rather than military force, creating one of Africa’s earliest theocratic civilizations sustained by truth (Ofo na Ogu) and justice (Nso Ala).
00:00 - Introduction
08:45 - Who is Nri?
13:31 - Menri identified different titles in Igboland
16:05 - Criterial for Ozo title
17:40 - Nri doesn't acknowledge inhumanity
21:51 - How Eze Nri crowned
23:22 - Omenani Igbo is not idol worshipping
27:10 - The 4 market days in Igboland was established by Nri Priests
28:35 - Towns that formed Nri Dynasty
30:11 - How meetings are conducted by Eze Nri
CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
To address space constraints in the description, we provide a list of credits on our blog website, www.ndigboviva.com.ng/acknowledgements and pin the same in the comment section.
Acknowledgements:
– Guest: Prince Chukwuemeka Onyesoh (Oba Agbalanze Na Nri).
Disclaimer:
This documentary is produced for educational and cultural purposes only. It explores traditional Igbo spirituality and history from an anthropological and heritage perspective, not as religious comparison or proselytization. Interview recorded and published with informed consent of Prince C. Onyesoh.
© 2025 Ndigbo Viva Channel | All Rights Reserved.
#EzeNri #IgboSpirituality #IgboHistory #NdigboViva #CulturalHeritage #AfricanCivilization
BOOK REFERENCES
Prince Chukwuemeka I. Onysoh (2021) Dirts on white on Spectrum. The Pan Afrika Press
Prince Chukwuemeka I. Onysoh (2017): To The Rescue; The Right To Self-Determination, The Pathways To A Genuine Federation Of People With No Shared Values. FPNEV
Prince Chukwuemeka I. Onysoh (2023): Defeat of Biafra, The Conquest Of Nigeria; Easy On The Niger Civil War, 1967-70 Volume 1. The Pan Afrika Press
INTRO MUSIC SOURCE
Title: “Guts Before Glory” by Naem Sparta (RetroSynth Records, 17 Jul 2025): musicbrainz.org/recording/31f4d30d-31eb-4e84-8ac8-59aaf818783e
IMAGE SOURCES
A 9th century Bronze ceremonial pot (Oct. 2013): Wikimedia Common
https://ig.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fa%E1%BB%8Bl%E1%BB%A5:Intricate_bronze_ceremonial_pot,_9th_century,_Igbo-Ukwu,_Nigeria.jpg
Ichi Marks(July 24, 2020): Obinna_Eze https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=903534363487872&set=a.504994096675236
Masquerade dance(Aug 11 2014): G. I. Jones https://ukpuru.tumblr.com/post/94463724902/small-boys-masquerade-in-ovim-village-isu-ikwa
Abolition of killing of Twin(n.d.): yoruba_ness https://www.instagram.com/p/DPrR430jARN/
Cannibals(April 8, 2024): Igbo history.TV https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=824303399729257&id=100064488147167&set=a.466760278816906
Missionary in Ivory Coast (n.d.): gettyimage
https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/news-photo/vintage-postcard-featuring-a-catholic-catechism-exami
Eze Nri Obalike (n.d.): Noni Edozie
https://x.com/Hibana122/status/1975914679282418006/photo/2
Nwanyi Ajadu (n.d.): IgboProverbs https://nigeriandictionary.com/tupu-gi-na-nwanyi-ajadu-ebido-ime-eyi-juo-ihe-gburu-di-ya#google_vignette
Emergency shelter building(May 12, 2025): hotashstove https://hotashstove.com/blogs/news/emergency-shelter-building
Tabansi, Eze Nri(June 9, 2022): Voice of The East-NDI IGBO's Post https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1488632998222010&set=pcb.1488633124888664
Obu hall (Sept. 18, 2013): Ibo-speaking peoples of Nigeria. Harrison, 1913, pg. 48. Thomas, Northcote Whitridge. Anthropological report on the https://ha.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nri-Igbo#/media/Fayil:Eze_Nri_Obalike.jpg
EzeNri Obalike with Alo and Gong (July 30, 2021): The Eastern Post
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=545375506879896&set=a.109497157134402
Eggs (Aug. 1, 2023): Amalu chioma's Post
https://www.facebook.com/100067680823767/posts/if-you-have-not-appease-your-chi-uwand%E1%BB%8B-ichend%E1%BB%8B-mmili-umuadand%E1%BB%8B-otu-ogbenje-spir/617421413857214/
The Chamois Colored Goat (n.d.): creatures https://creatures.com/species/goat/chamois-colored
West African Dwarf Ewe(2022): Muhammed Alhassanhttps://www.agriculturenigeria.com/sheep/
Hen (n.d.): Sofia https://in.pinterest.com/pin/614459942948005404/
Azerbaijani Jews in WWII (May 9): Mehman Mammadov https://caspianpost.com/opinion/a-nation-s-pride-the-untold-story-of-azerbaijani-jews-in-wwii
TEAM ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Host: Akachukwu Nwankpo (Oputaifeadi)
Visual Editing: Emeka Okorie
Blog Website Mgt: Chukwukadibia Ekene
Research support: Esther Ime
Recorded at Ndigbo Viva Studios, Enugu.
For content permissions or collaboration inquiries, please contact: ndigbovivalimited@gmail.com