What is the Relationship Between the Igbo Tribe and Jews?

Some Igbo have passed down several versions of a migration tale about the Jewish patriarch Jacob.

According to common interpretations, Gad’s three sons settled in the Igbo-dominated region of present-day southeastern Nigeria.

These sons, Eri, Arodi, and Areli, formed clans, kingdoms, and towns still existing in southeast Nigeria today.

This includes Owerri, Umuleri, Arochukwu, and Aguleri.

The book of Genesis references these sons.

Like many others, King Eri believes the Igbo are the Jews of West Africa.

They consider themselves descended from at least one of Israel’s exiled tribes.

In the ninth century B.C., the Assyrians invaded the northern kingdom of Israel, driving 10 tribes into exile.

According to historians, it is not unlikely that these tribes moved westward into Africa.

Large numbers of scattered Jews have also been “lost” throughout history as a result of coerced conversions and cultural absorption.

Historical accounts and oral legends about Igbo-Jewish cultural similarities have drawn many people to southeast Nigeria.

Are Igbo People the Lost Black Jewish Tribe?

The Igbo people of Nigeria have long claimed to be one of the Jewish people’s lost tribes.

Many issues, caused by those who reject or embrace it, have clouded the Igbo’s claim to Jewish heritage.

Both Igbos and non-Igbos participate in supporting and refuting this assertion. Igbo people claim Jewish ancestry.

But is this true?

Mr Adeyinka Makinde on the Issue

After their fight for Biafran independence, this question is still the most remarkable one for the Igbos.

On October 22, 2007, Mr. Adeyinka Makinde spoke at a seminar in Cecil Sharp House, North London.

In his lecture, he emphasised that, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, Igbos and Jews shared a close relationship.

He insisted throughout his lecture that he is neither Igbo nor Jewish.

He said as a researcher, he had to agree because of the degree of link scholars have found.

Read: What is the religion of the Igbo tribe?

Olaudah Equiano’s Thoughts on the Link Between the Igbo and Jews

In 1789, Olaudah Equiano, a Christian-educated Igbo freed slave, commented on this topic in his tale.

“The strong analogy which… appears to prevail in the manners and customs of my countrymen and those of the Jews before they reached the Land of Promise, and particularly the patriarchs while they were still in that pastoral state which is described in Genesis, which alone would induce me to think that the one people had sprung from the other,” he was quoted as saying.

Some historians disregarded his essay, just as they did the idea that Igbos were Jewish.

However, some historians still consider it alongside other evidence supporting this claim.

In English, Mr Equiano is spelt Ikwuano, which means “four kindreds,” and was known during his lifetime as Gustavus Vessa.

He was well recognised for promoting Igbo-Jewish heritage and for speaking out strongly against the slave trade.

Equiano achieved his freedom through toil and self-belief, qualities he considered attributes of his Jewish lineage.

Read: What are Igbo people known for?

Sidney Davies Shared His Thoughts on Equiano’s Comments

Sidney Davies, president of NAGAS, makes an argument based on an excerpt from Equiano’s comment.

In his response, Equiano claimed that his claim does not “necessarily or logically follow or conclude that the Igbos came from the Jews and, as a result, are Jews, for Equiano also admits in his parallel the option that the Jews might have emerged from the Igbos.”

Equiano’s narrative asserts that one group might have descended from another, possibly Jews from Igbos.

Although his argument does not refute the assertion, it does allow for more elucidation.

This theory rests on remarkable similarities between Jewish and Igbo cultures, languages, and quirks.

Some Igbos believe they are indigenous to eastern Nigeria and did not migrate from elsewhere.

Read: Who is the Father of the Igbo Race?

History of the Igbo People by Dr Elizabeth Isichei

The author of the book “History of the Igbo People,” Dr Elizabeth Isichei, quoted an unnamed Mbaise elder as saying: “The Igbos did not come from anywhere and that the ancestors of the Igbo people originated from where they live today starting from Nri, an ancient clan in present-day Anambra State,” to support this point of view.

The advantages and disadvantages of Igbos being Jews or descended from Jews have been well discussed.

It’s important to recognise the significant similarities between their socio-religious beliefs and way of life.

First, like Jews, Igbos are bold and forceful.

A guy is allowed to parent his brother’s widow’s children under Igbo and Jewish conventions.

Long funeral rites are a shared custom among the Jews and Igbos (Genesis 50:1-3).

Every male child is circumcised eight days after birth, on the same day for Igbos and Jews.

It is already possible in Igboland for Igbos and Jews to negotiate marriages through intermediaries and do extensive family background checks.

Abraham did it while negotiating with Rebecca for Isaac (Genesis 24.).

Read: African Religious Practices: From Traditional Beliefs to Christianity & Islam

The Living Document by Professor Dike

The Living Document of Ekwulobia, written by the late Professor Dike and enlarged by I.C.U. Enochusi promoted the idea that Igbos have three origins and are established in their houses throughout two different time periods.

He said that the original Igbo people were pure Jews who journeyed through North East Africa until they arrived at their current habitation.

The Nris, Igbo ukwus, Aros, and Otuochas are said to be this stock of Igbo people.

The second stock of Igbos originated in the 17th century A.D. when people from Benin moved eastward, increasing the number of the Ika Igbos, who are primarily found in present-day Delta State.

Moreover, the Benue River region is the third Igbo origin.

To escape the Fulani slave trade, these Igbos moved from the Igala region of the lower Benue River into the Igbo belt in the late 17th century.

The majority of these Igala Igbos reside in Anambra East and West Local Government Regions, as well as some areas of northern Enugu State, which is located in the northern part of the Igbo homeland.

All of this wouldn’t mean much if the wooden stool in Nri, regarded as the birthplace of the Igbos, didn’t exist, especially if it didn’t exist there before the Igbos interacted with outsiders.

According to legend, the stool’s wood came from a tree that can only be found or grown in Jerusalem.

The former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin sent delegates to Igboland to look for “Eri” to verify this fact, which seems to be one of the most persuasive pieces of Igbo Jewish ancestry proof.

The question of whether or not Igbos had Jewish ancestry or whether Jews descended from Igbos is still being researched in this area.

Conclusion

The relationship between the Igbo tribe and the Jews remains a topic of ongoing debate and research.

Historical accounts, cultural similarities, and oral traditions have drawn strong parallels, suggesting a possible connection.

Yet, whether the Igbo people are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, or vice versa, remains unresolved.

What is clear, however, is the deep cultural significance this connection holds for many Igbos.

As research continues, the mystery surrounding this intriguing link between the Igbo and Jewish heritage may one day be fully unraveled.

This will undoubtedly shed new light on the origins of both peoples.

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