Nun River

The Nun River is a river in Rivers State, Nigeria.[1] The Nun is formed when the Niger River splits in two, forming the Nun and Forcados rivers.

Nun River
2005 satellite view of Niger Delta. Nun River in the center
Niger Delta in 1898. The Niger flows from the north, and bifurcates just below Abo. The Forçados flows west and the Nun continues south.
Location
Country	Nigeria
State	Rivers State
Physical characteristics
Source
• coordinates	5.298847°N 6.414350°E / 5.298847; 6.414350
Mouth
• coordinates	5.308333°N 6.416667°E / 5.308333; 6.416667
Length	160 km (99 mi)

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.[2]

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.[2]

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.