International records / OpenAlex research

The Umundri tradition of origin

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 s…