The Igala Kingdom also known as the Kingdom of Idah was a pre-colonial West African state of what is now Nigeria. The kingdom was founded by the Igala, a people living north of the Igbo with its capital at Idah. It was heavily influenced by the Igbo, Yoruba, Bini and Jukun kingdoms.
The first "Attah" (king) of the kingdom is known as Ayegba om'Idoko (Ayegba son of Idoko). He led a great war of liberation against the Jukun culminating in the sacrifice of his daughter, Inikpi to ensure victory.
The attah-ship of Igala (the Attah is NOT 'Attah of Idah' but 'Attah of Igala') rotated among four branches of the royal clan. Anthropologists believe the Igala kingdom was founded in the mid-16th century. The kingdom was ruled by nine high officials called the Igala Mela whom are custodians of the sacred Earth shrine.
The kingdom of Igala survived well into the 19th century. It became a British protectorate in 1901.