THE ORIGIN OF RED ROYAL CAP IN IGALA KINGDOM
Red cap is called Olumada in Igala tradition. It is used by traditional rulers and the resurrected ancestors known as Egwuafia.
This red cap which is tall in nature has been with Igala people right from around 5000 BC which was the predynastic period in ancient Egypt. Before the unification/amalgamation of the Northern (Lower) Egypt and Southern (Upper) Egypt around 3150 BC by King Nemar or Menes, the father of King Teta the father King Ateth, the father of King Ata (Djet), the progenitor of Igala race, the red Royal cap was used in the Lower Egypt only while the white one was used in the Upper Egypt. It was the amalgamation that brought the two crowns together and been used by the Pharaoh or king of the United Egypt.
Igala people were in Abydos and later Qau (Tjebu) all in lower Egypt. As such, all the heads of nomes or what is called Chiefdoms today in Lower Egypt were wearing the red crown. Only the Pharaoh wears the red and white crown combination called Pschent The red crown is Deshret and the white known as Hedjet.
The Chiefs of Igala wore red cap or crown. During their migration, every Chiefdom maintain their traditions and the chiefs continued their culture throughout the journey and till the settled in Attagara in the 8th century BC. In the same way, Attah Igala (Ata Gala as Igala were called Gala when in Egypt which means freemen, owners of land, Princes and princesses), King of Igala continued the royal traditions of his ancestor. One is the red and white crowns combination with the Cobra god at the front.
Though this is over 8000 years tradition, Attah Igala still wears the double crown with the Cobra god of protection called Uraeus or wadjet in ancient Egypt. It is worthy of note that Igala kingdom of Nigeria is not the only descendants of King Ata or Nemar, the Lebou people of Senegal, Dagomba Kingdom of Ghana, Denkyira people of Ghana, AvonGara Azande Kingdom of South Sudan, Igara Kingdom of Uganda, Igara and Maragoli people of Kenya, indigenous Igala USA, Cuba and Brazil, etc still make use of the red Royal cap of our common ancestors from the lower Egypt. In Igala Kingdom, it is not limited to only those in Kogi State but used by traditional rulers of indigenous Igala towns in Enugu, Anambra, Benue, Edo, Delta, …
This is how Igala got her red Royal cap. You may have your own from your origin too, and it should not be an issue with the Igala own. Peace!!!
Photos of traditional rulers of Igala kingdom of Nigeria and Dagomba Kingdom of Ghana, same ancestry.
Ayegba Abdullahi
