Nun River

The Nun River is a river in Nigeria. The Nun is formed when the Niger River splits in two, forming the Nun and Forcados rivers.

Upon emerging from its parent river, Niger, the Nun River flows for almost a 100 miles south to the Gulf of Guinea at Akassa. Its course runs mainly through thinly settled areas and swamps.^[1]

In the 19th century, the Nun was a hub for trade between the Igbo Kingdom, which was based at Aboh, and Europe. The river's trading history began with the trade of slaves but was later replaced by palm oil export. At the turn of the century, however, the river mouth silted heavily, blocking the passage. Subsequently, traders began using the more accessible waters of the Forcados River.^[1]

The Nun River is immortalised in the poetry of Gabriel Okara. His poem "The Call of the River Nun" is a nostalgic ode to the river that passes through his home.

(Nun River may also be an alternative name for the Nen River in Manchuria.)

References

Coordinates: 5°18′30″N 6°25′00″E / 5.30833°N 6.41667°E / 5.30833; 6.41667

v t e Niger River Countries Guinea Mali Niger Benin Nigeria Sections Source of the Niger Middle Niger Inner Niger Delta Lower Niger Niger Delta Tributaries (list) and distributaries Tinkisso River Sankarani River Milo River Bani River Mekrou River Alibori River Sola River Sokoto River Sota River Kaduna River Benue River Anambra River Forcados River Nun River Cities Siguiri Bamako Segou Mopti Timbuktu Gao Niamey Lokoja Onitsha Lakes Kainji Lake Lac Debo Dams and bridges King Fahd Bridge Martyrs Bridge Markala Dam Gao Bridge Kennedy Bridge Kainji Dam River Niger Bridge (Onitsha) Protected Areas Niger Basin Authority National Park of Upper Niger W National Park Kainji National Park