Nun River
| Nun River | |
|---|---|
2005 satellite view of Niger Delta. Nun River in the center | |
| Location | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Bayelsa State |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • coordinates | 5°17′56″N 6°24′52″E / 5.298847°N 6.414350°E |
| Mouth | |
• coordinates | 5°18′30″N 6°25′00″E / 5.308333°N 6.416667°E |
| Length | 160 km (99 mi) |
_annotated.svg){kind=link}
The Nun River, also known as Rio Nun, is a river in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The river is formed when the Niger River splits into two at Toru-Abubou, near Agbere Town in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, forming the Nun and the Forcados rivers.
Upon emerging from its parent river, Niger, the Nun River flows for almost 160 kilometres (100 mi) south to the Gulf of Guinea at Akassa. Its course runs mainly through thinly settled areas and swamps.
In the 19th century, the Nun was a hub for trade between Europe and the Igbo people – based at Aboh. The river's trading history began with the trade of slaves but was later replaced by palm oil export. However, at the turn of the century, the river mouth silted heavily, blocking the passage. Subsequently, traders began using the more accessible waters of the Forcados River.
The Nun River is immortalized 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.