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Description

NORTHERN NIGERIA

Yauri   Zamfara Kebbi and Gwari   Gobir, Katsina and Zaria   Fulani-Kontagora

Daura Fulani-Wodaabe Fulani-Fula   Hausa-Kano   Kanuri

MIDDLE BELT NIGERIA

Nupe   Jukun   Ngas    Igala

SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Ekumeku-Igbo   Anaang Ibibio   Akpa-Ibom Isi Ijaw Nri-Igbo Aro-Igbo   Itsekiri

Ogoni

SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Oyo-Yoruba Egba-Yoruba Edo-Benin   Fulani-Ilorin

CURRENTLY IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Fon Hausa-Zinder   Futa-Jallon   Fulani-Toucouleur   Fulani-Massina   Futa-Toro

Kanem

Bornu

Miscellaneous and History

Tribes side by side
Blood of the Kingdoms story featuring all the characters

Government history

Sokoto Caliphate

Ijaw-Itsekiri Conflicts

End of the Aro Confederacy

Famous Individuals and Groups

Queen Amina

Queen Nzinga

Religious Matters

Ekwensu

Ahia and Menri

Chukwu and the Alusi

Ahobinagu the Forest Lord

Nimu Kwome

Disclaimer: This is not specifically a Hetalia piece. I have decided to finally add entries in the religious matters section as this still pertains to providing information about Nigeria and its various tribes. In this case, the Pre-abrahamic deities of the various tribes.  The individuals portrayed in this particular image are Anyanwu the sun goddess of Igbo mythology and her Oracle, Agbala the peacock.

Anyanwu had had multiple roles in Igbo mythology especially with the stated rise of greater Igbo civilization. For one of her purview's she is stated to provide insight into the mortals of the world and relay their happenings to Chukwu himself. In this vein she acted as a spymaster for the pantheon and this was part of the initial founding of the Nri Kingdom, in which Anyanwu reported the hubris of the second king Menri to the gods. Translated directly her name means the eye of light similar to Ra of Egyptian mythology and the eye of Horus. The Igbos believed that observing and worshiping Anyanwu was the key to life and spiritual awakening, for most of the other gods did depend on her, especially the Harvest goddess Ahia Njoku. She was so revered that even in a christian Igboland she is used to provide a lot of contextual references. This is partially the reason why, when the Igbos decided to secede from Nigeria in the late 60's, they called their land Biafra, Land of the Rising sun.

Anyanwu surprisingly enough was not always a goddess. In the oldest Igbo stories Anyanwu was once a humble woman but she was so virtuous and spiritual that Chukwu offered her to bring light to the people forever which she gladly accepted. Thus Anyanwu became seen as the perfect human being that every good Igbo person would strive to be. Anyanwu's specific priests would carve lines into their faces to resemble the rays of the sun that shone on everyone, and thus through their eyes it was hoped that Anyanwu could see the people that worshiped her through their eyes.

Anyanwu was also seen as the provider of truth, and it was believed that she would not tell a lie and expected the truth from those that spoke with her. She could read everyone's thoughts as the sun shines light on darkness. However due to her truthful nature she had an extremely welcoming personality which could sometimes make things worse, as in the story of her, Idemili the water goddess and Onwa the moon.

Anyanwu the mortal

When she was mortal Anyanwu was a humble village girl, loved by all throughout the land. She herself was radiant and greeted the day itself. A jealous spirit of the sky saw how Anyanwu was being looked on favourably by Chukwu and Ala and decided to steal the sun and the daytime from the people in a rage.

The next day the people woke to find out that the sun had been stolen from them and they were scared. Anyanwu did her best to console the people and told them that she would go and find out where the sun had been taken to. With the blessings of her family and people she set out to find the Sun.

One her first stop she encountered an old tortoise who asked her where she was going. She told the tortoise she was going to find the sun. The tortoise told her that she could not find the sun because she could not get to the sky. She asked the tortoise if there was a way to get to the sky. The tortoise showed her cracks on his shell and told her that he had been to the sky before and could get her there, but was not likely that he would be allowed to guide her. Anyanwu begged him for aid and the tortoise thought it over and decided to help the beautiful woman, in exchange for giving him the juiciest plants from her farm. Willing to give her farm for her people she agreed and she journeyed with Tortoise to the house of Amadioha, lord of the sky, specifically his second house on the ground that had been placed so he would visit his wife Ala goddess of the earth.

The birds cried in anger when they saw the tortoise for tortoise had tricked them out of food in the past. Amadioha was initially not very welcoming upon seeing tortoise but stopped upon seeing Anyanwu's grace and beauty. He quieted the angry birds and listened to what Anyanwu had to say. She asked him why he had allowed the day to be stolen and he stated calmly that the air spirit had stolen the day during his visit to Ala. He stated that he had been searching for the missing day and had asked Chukwu to send him someone to help him find the day since the land was full on nothing but the darkness and the empty moon.

Then the lord of owls (descriptions state it to be an Pel's fishing owl) came to Ala and Amadioha's house stating that he had been asked by Chukwu to find the day as he could see in both night and day. Anyanwu asked him to take her on the journey for she wanted to help. The owl was delighted at her earnestness and politeness and offered to help if she would let him have her roof which she gladly gave away. Amadioha still stricken by her beauty offered to help but was stopped by his angry wife Ala who rooted him to the ground and wished Anyanwu luck on her journey. The problem was taking Anyanwu into the sky. Tortoise who had been struggling to stop the birds constantly throwing him out of the house suggested the method he used to get to the sky long ago. The birds were more willing to give Anyanwu a single feather each until Anyanwu had wings of her own. But since she was larger than tortoise she needed more. Than a great crane and a peacock gave her several feathers giving her wings. Thus Anyanwu and Eze-ikwiikwii (Owl King) took to the sky to search for the day.

They journeyed far and wide and asked the other air spirits if they knew of anything. The air spirits were initially unwilling to tell them anything but Anyanwu's virtue changed their hearts and they told her where the day was hidden. They found the Air spirit named Iwe-Ikuku (Angry air) hiding the day in his house along with the sun. Anyanwu begged the spirit to release the day but the spirit was angry and jealous that Chukwu was favoring the humans over the spirits. Anyanwu asked him why he didn't try to interact with the humans and offered a value exchange. Iwe-Ikuku agreed seeing her sincerity and tried to make an offer she would refuse, by asking for her life and her soul being denied entry to Ala's greatest stomach (Ala was not only an earth goddess but she held multiple different afterlives in her stomach). Anyanwu said that the safety and health of her people was greater than her individual need and offered it. Anyanwu was struck dead by the spirit who tossed the day and sun back into the sky, gleeful that the lady who was taking everyone around would be left as a wandering ghost that would be captured by Mmo (god of the forgotten dead). However he had forgotten the Owl-king who had called Chukwu who had arrived and was very displeasing with the air spirit. The broke the large air spirit into pieces and scattered him into the wind, his angry screams still being heard on heavy winds.

Chukwu took pity on Anyanwu as the owl told him the story and he was touched by her giving up everything. So he grabbed her ghost and asked her if she was willing to continue watching over the Igbos forever. She didn't hesitate and said that it was her duty to serve. Thus Chukwu gave her the sun, and she became the sun and the land rejoiced for Anyanwu would always be there to help her people.

Anyanwu, Idemili and Onwa

Anyanwu and Onwa (moon) wished to throw a great party for the land and Onwa told her that she should be selective in her guest listing. Anyanwu argued that shine the sun shone on everyone, they should invite everyone. Especially her fellow deity and best friend Idemili the water goddess. At this time Anyanwu would go to the sky to do her job and come back to her shared house back on the ground. Anyanwu would always go to visit Idemili at her house but Idemili would never come to hers. Onwa advised against inviting Idemili as she had a large retinue but Anyanwu wanted to be a great host to all. Anyanwu then went to Idemili's house and asked why she never visited. Idemili stated that there was never enough room for her and she always brought a large group of people with her. Anyanwu stated that she could build the biggest house and it would definitely contain Idemili and all that came with her.

Then Anyanwu built a house so big it reached into the sky and then invited Idemili over. When she approached with her retinue she asked if it was ok to enter. Anyanwu said yes and Idemili took a few steps in and water flowed in, followed by fish and other animals and everyone was knee deep in water. Idemili asked Anyanwu and Onwa if it was still safe and they said yes and more water rushed in to chest height. Idemili asked again and the two still said yes and then water flowed in until the water level was touching their noses. Idemili saw that they were uncomfortable and offered to leave but Anyanwu offered to be a good host and said let everyone in. Then the rest of the water flowed in, filling up the entire house and forcing Onwa and Anyanwu to climb to the roof and build a new house in the sky and live there, as they had underestimated the size of the ocean.

Anyanwu and Agbala

There was a priest of Anyanwu that was extremely devoted to her and his people. He would pray to her everyday and venerate her at the shrines and Anyanwu was pleased with him. For his perseverance she gave him a copy of her eyes and made him into an oracle. The priest would then give lots of accurate predictions until he came across an arrogant Arochukwu king. The king asked if he made an attack, would a king die. The oracle told him yes and he went into battle and died. His angry sun took revenge and struck down the oracle which angered Anyanwu, she rendered the son blind and asked Chukwu to let her faithful priest Agbala stay with him. Chukwu then turned Agbala into a white peacock (other stories a crane) that shone and said that he would continue to be her oracle. The eyes on the tail in his peacock form would indicate he was ready to tell the future and his crane form meant he was searching for wisdom from Anyanwu. Thus peacocks and cranes would come to be revered.

Description

NORTHERN NIGERIA

Yauri   Zamfara Kebbi and Gwari   Gobir, Katsina and Zaria   Fulani-Kontagora

Daura Fulani-Wodaabe Fulani-Fula   Hausa-Kano   Kanuri

MIDDLE BELT NIGERIA

Nupe   Jukun   Ngas    Igala

SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Ekumeku-Igbo   Anaang Ibibio   Akpa-Ibom Isi Ijaw Nri-Igbo Aro-Igbo   Itsekiri

Ogoni

SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Oyo-Yoruba Egba-Yoruba Edo-Benin   Fulani-Ilorin

CURRENTLY IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Fon Hausa-Zinder   Futa-Jallon   Fulani-Toucouleur   Fulani-Massina   Futa-Toro

Kanem

Bornu

Miscellaneous and History

Tribes side by side
Blood of the Kingdoms story featuring all the characters

Government history

Sokoto Caliphate

Ijaw-Itsekiri Conflicts

End of the Aro Confederacy

Famous Individuals and Groups

Queen Amina

Queen Nzinga

Religious Matters

Ekwensu

Ahia and Menri

Chukwu and the Alusi

Ahobinagu the Forest Lord

Nimu Kwome

Disclaimer: This is not specifically a Hetalia piece. I have decided to finally add entries in the religious matters section as this still pertains to providing information about Nigeria and its various tribes. In this case, the Pre-abrahamic deities of the various tribes.  The individuals portrayed in this particular image are Anyanwu the sun goddess of Igbo mythology and her Oracle, Agbala the peacock.

Anyanwu had had multiple roles in Igbo mythology especially with the stated rise of greater Igbo civilization. For one of her purview's she is stated to provide insight into the mortals of the world and relay their happenings to Chukwu himself. In this vein she acted as a spymaster for the pantheon and this was part of the initial founding of the Nri Kingdom, in which Anyanwu reported the hubris of the second king Menri to the gods. Translated directly her name means the eye of light similar to Ra of Egyptian mythology and the eye of Horus. The Igbos believed that observing and worshiping Anyanwu was the key to life and spiritual awakening, for most of the other gods did depend on her, especially the Harvest goddess Ahia Njoku. She was so revered that even in a christian Igboland she is used to provide a lot of contextual references. This is partially the reason why, when the Igbos decided to secede from Nigeria in the late 60's, they called their land Biafra, Land of the Rising sun.

Anyanwu surprisingly enough was not always a goddess. In the oldest Igbo stories Anyanwu was once a humble woman but she was so virtuous and spiritual that Chukwu offered her to bring light to the people forever which she gladly accepted. Thus Anyanwu became seen as the perfect human being that every good Igbo person would strive to be. Anyanwu's specific priests would carve lines into their faces to resemble the rays of the sun that shone on everyone, and thus through their eyes it was hoped that Anyanwu could see the people that worshiped her through their eyes.

Anyanwu was also seen as the provider of truth, and it was believed that she would not tell a lie and expected the truth from those that spoke with her. She could read everyone's thoughts as the sun shines light on darkness. However due to her truthful nature she had an extremely welcoming personality which could sometimes make things worse, as in the story of her, Idemili the water goddess and Onwa the moon.

Anyanwu the mortal

When she was mortal Anyanwu was a humble village girl, loved by all throughout the land. She herself was radiant and greeted the day itself. A jealous spirit of the sky saw how Anyanwu was being looked on favourably by Chukwu and Ala and decided to steal the sun and the daytime from the people in a rage.

The next day the people woke to find out that the sun had been stolen from them and they were scared. Anyanwu did her best to console the people and told them that she would go and find out where the sun had been taken to. With the blessings of her family and people she set out to find the Sun.

One her first stop she encountered an old tortoise who asked her where she was going. She told the tortoise she was going to find the sun. The tortoise told her that she could not find the sun because she could not get to the sky. She asked the tortoise if there was a way to get to the sky. The tortoise showed her cracks on his shell and told her that he had been to the sky before and could get her there, but was not likely that he would be allowed to guide her. Anyanwu begged him for aid and the tortoise thought it over and decided to help the beautiful woman, in exchange for giving him the juiciest plants from her farm. Willing to give her farm for her people she agreed and she journeyed with Tortoise to the house of Amadioha, lord of the sky, specifically his second house on the ground that had been placed so he would visit his wife Ala goddess of the earth.

The birds cried in anger when they saw the tortoise for tortoise had tricked them out of food in the past. Amadioha was initially not very welcoming upon seeing tortoise but stopped upon seeing Anyanwu's grace and beauty. He quieted the angry birds and listened to what Anyanwu had to say. She asked him why he had allowed the day to be stolen and he stated calmly that the air spirit had stolen the day during his visit to Ala. He stated that he had been searching for the missing day and had asked Chukwu to send him someone to help him find the day since the land was full on nothing but the darkness and the empty moon.

Then the lord of owls (descriptions state it to be an Pel's fishing owl) came to Ala and Amadioha's house stating that he had been asked by Chukwu to find the day as he could see in both night and day. Anyanwu asked him to take her on the journey for she wanted to help. The owl was delighted at her earnestness and politeness and offered to help if she would let him have her roof which she gladly gave away. Amadioha still stricken by her beauty offered to help but was stopped by his angry wife Ala who rooted him to the ground and wished Anyanwu luck on her journey. The problem was taking Anyanwu into the sky. Tortoise who had been struggling to stop the birds constantly throwing him out of the house suggested the method he used to get to the sky long ago. The birds were more willing to give Anyanwu a single feather each until Anyanwu had wings of her own. But since she was larger than tortoise she needed more. Than a great crane and a peacock gave her several feathers giving her wings. Thus Anyanwu and Eze-ikwiikwii (Owl King) took to the sky to search for the day.

They journeyed far and wide and asked the other air spirits if they knew of anything. The air spirits were initially unwilling to tell them anything but Anyanwu's virtue changed their hearts and they told her where the day was hidden. They found the Air spirit named Iwe-Ikuku (Angry air) hiding the day in his house along with the sun. Anyanwu begged the spirit to release the day but the spirit was angry and jealous that Chukwu was favoring the humans over the spirits. Anyanwu asked him why he didn't try to interact with the humans and offered a value exchange. Iwe-Ikuku agreed seeing her sincerity and tried to make an offer she would refuse, by asking for her life and her soul being denied entry to Ala's greatest stomach (Ala was not only an earth goddess but she held multiple different afterlives in her stomach). Anyanwu said that the safety and health of her people was greater than her individual need and offered it. Anyanwu was struck dead by the spirit who tossed the day and sun back into the sky, gleeful that the lady who was taking everyone around would be left as a wandering ghost that would be captured by Mmo (god of the forgotten dead). However he had forgotten the Owl-king who had called Chukwu who had arrived and was very displeasing with the air spirit. The broke the large air spirit into pieces and scattered him into the wind, his angry screams still being heard on heavy winds.

Chukwu took pity on Anyanwu as the owl told him the story and he was touched by her giving up everything. So he grabbed her ghost and asked her if she was willing to continue watching over the Igbos forever. She didn't hesitate and said that it was her duty to serve. Thus Chukwu gave her the sun, and she became the sun and the land rejoiced for Anyanwu would always be there to help her people.

Anyanwu, Idemili and Onwa

Anyanwu and Onwa (moon) wished to throw a great party for the land and Onwa told her that she should be selective in her guest listing. Anyanwu argued that shine the sun shone on everyone, they should invite everyone. Especially her fellow deity and best friend Idemili the water goddess. At this time Anyanwu would go to the sky to do her job and come back to her shared house back on the ground. Anyanwu would always go to visit Idemili at her house but Idemili would never come to hers. Onwa advised against inviting Idemili as she had a large retinue but Anyanwu wanted to be a great host to all. Anyanwu then went to Idemili's house and asked why she never visited. Idemili stated that there was never enough room for her and she always brought a large group of people with her. Anyanwu stated that she could build the biggest house and it would definitely contain Idemili and all that came with her.

Then Anyanwu built a house so big it reached into the sky and then invited Idemili over. When she approached with her retinue she asked if it was ok to enter. Anyanwu said yes and Idemili took a few steps in and water flowed in, followed by fish and other animals and everyone was knee deep in water. Idemili asked Anyanwu and Onwa if it was still safe and they said yes and more water rushed in to chest height. Idemili asked again and the two still said yes and then water flowed in until the water level was touching their noses. Idemili saw that they were uncomfortable and offered to leave but Anyanwu offered to be a good host and said let everyone in. Then the rest of the water flowed in, filling up the entire house and forcing Onwa and Anyanwu to climb to the roof and build a new house in the sky and live there, as they had underestimated the size of the ocean.

Anyanwu and Agbala

There was a priest of Anyanwu that was extremely devoted to her and his people. He would pray to her everyday and venerate her at the shrines and Anyanwu was pleased with him. For his perseverance she gave him a copy of her eyes and made him into an oracle. The priest would then give lots of accurate predictions until he came across an arrogant Arochukwu king. The king asked if he made an attack, would a king die. The oracle told him yes and he went into battle and died. His angry sun took revenge and struck down the oracle which angered Anyanwu, she rendered the son blind and asked Chukwu to let her faithful priest Agbala stay with him. Chukwu then turned Agbala into a white peacock (other stories a crane) that shone and said that he would continue to be her oracle. The eyes on the tail in his peacock form would indicate he was ready to tell the future and his crane form meant he was searching for wisdom from Anyanwu. Thus peacocks and cranes would come to be revered.