The Umundri tradition of origin
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2138314 |
|---|---|
| Authors | M D W Jeffreys (University of the Witwatersrand, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1956 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 119-131 |
| Publication date | 1956-01-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | African Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-0184 • E-ISSN: 1469-2872 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00020185608706990 |
| OpenAlex | W2012490087 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 11 |
| References cited | 3 |
SYNOPSIS The Umundri are an Ibo group living in the Onitsha Province, Southern Nigeria. Their tradition of origin states that a man, Eri, and his wife came to earth from the sky. Except for the anthill on which they alighted the earth was a morass. An Awka blacksmith with his equipment was sent to dry up the earth. During Eri's lifetime his people were fed from the sky. When he died this food ceased. Chuku, the sky god, told Ndri, Eri's eldest son, to kill and bury his son and daughter. From their graves sprouted the yam and the kokoyam respectively. Upon eating this food Ndri and his people slept for the first time, because till then the sun did not set. The four days of the week then were given the names of skybeings. Ndri became the first king and his coronation ritual is still followed. Titles and ranking ensued and the carving of the sun‐cult symbols on the faces of this group. Food was then distributed to all mankind. Similar traditions are found elsewhere, pointing to a common source for them all somewhere in the east
Ancient history · Cult · Ethnology · Genealogy · Geography · Theology · Wife · African history and culture analysis · Folklore, Mythology, and Literature Studies · History · Literature, Magical Realism, García Márquez · Philosophy
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Permanence, temporality and the rhythms of life
Awka who Travel
Horizontal Inequalities and Communal Conflicts
| Citations per year | 0.22 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 1977 - 2020 (44) |
| Highly cited | No |