Eri, Gad, and the Origins of the Igbo People
According to a longstanding Igbo oral tradition, the Igbo trace their ancestry to Eri, believed to be a son of Gad, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), linking the people to the biblical Tribe of Gad.
Eri is said to have settled at the confluence of the Ezu and Omambala (Anambra) Rivers in present-day Aguleri, Anambra State, a location regarded by many as the cradle of Igbo civilization.
At the center of this heritage is IDUU ERI (Obu Gad/Obuga) — the sacred ancestral seat established by Eri in honor of Gad. Revered as the first Igbo throne and spiritual center, it preserves ancient traditions, sacred symbols, and historical relics that connect generations of Eri's descendants.
Eri's children are believed to have founded numerous communities across the region, with Aguleri (Agulu Eri), his first son, becoming the ancestor and namesake of Aguleri.
Today, IDUU ERI remains a powerful symbol of identity, unity, and ancestry for many Igbo people, preserving a tradition that blends oral history, culture, and biblical heritage.🖤