Tsoede

The Atta of Idah summoned Tsoede when his last days had come. African Myths of Origin describes the Atta as fond of him, yet the ruler knew Tsoede could never become king of Idah and would be in danger after the Atta died. He advised Tsoede to flee. The gifts he gave were emblems of kingship: a great canoe was plated with bronze, the trumpets called kakati were bronze, and he also gave drums, iron chains, and fetters said to have great magical power. He then fled from Idah in the great bronze-plated canoe the Atta had given him. As soon as the Atta died, his stepbrothers pursued him.

Tsoede eluded them in the creeks along the Niger. He made his way north and returned to Nku, the town of his mother. He sank the bronze canoe into the waters and began to make war. First he seized power in Nku, then proceeded to conquer the neighbouring towns. Two men who had helped him in his flight became his ministers. The servants who had paddled the canoe became chiefs of towns around his capital.