In order to enhance the rate of th nitridation and to give the high density of reaction-bonded silicon nitride MgO powder as nitriding aid were added to silicon powders and the mixture was pressed isostatically into compacts which were nitrided in the furnace of 1, 35$0^{circ}C$ where 95% $N_2$-5% $H_2$ gases were flowing. As the other nitriding aid $Mg(NO_3)_2 6H_2O$ was selected, A slip made of magnesium nitrate solution and fine silicon particles was spray-dried and then decomposed at 30$0^{circ}C$. Magnesium oxide-coated silicon powders were formed into compacts prior to the nitridation on the same condition as the former. Magnesium nitrate (MgO, produced from the decomposition of magnesium nitrate) was more effective for the formation of the $eta$-phase in the initial stage of the nitridation probably due to the easy formation of $MgO-SiO_2$-metal oxide eutectic melt. It has been confirmed that forsterite was formed as a result of the reaction between MgO and $SiO_2$ film of silicon surface. It was considered that MgO produced from magnesium nitrate may be finer more reactive and more uniformly distributed on the surface of silicon particles than original MgO. The higher the forming pressure was the more the $eta$-phase was formed.