Nembe Kingdom

Origins

Nembe was founded by Ijaw communities in the swamps of the central-eastern Niger delta, traditionally by the 15th century. Its position near the Brass river mouth gave access to the sea and the Niger's channels, and Europeans called the state Brass after its outlet.

Rule and society

The Amanyanabo ruled with the heads of trading houses, in a system similar to other delta states. Nembe traders bought slaves and later palm oil from inland markets and sold them to European ships. In the 19th century Christian missions arrived, and the kingdom split into rival towns over religion and trade.

Decline and legacy

Nembe signed a British treaty in 1884 and became part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate. When the Royal Niger Company shut Nembe traders out of the Niger markets, King Frederick William Koko led an attack on Akassa in 1895, and British forces burned Nembe in reprisal. The Amanyanabo still reigns.