The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Benin Kingdom, was a pre-colonial kingdom in what is now southern Nigeria. Its capital was Edo, now known as Benin City in Edo state. It should not be confused with the modern-day Republic of Benin, formerly the Republic of Dahomey. The Benin Kingdom was "one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa, dating perhaps to the eleventh century until it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.


The original people and founders of the Benin Kingdom, the Edo people, were initially ruled by the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) who called their land Igodomigodo. The first Ogiso (Ogiso Igodo), wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere, his eldest son.

In the 12th century, a great palace intrigue erupted and crown prince Ekaladerhan, the only son of the last Ogiso was sentenced to death as a result of the first Queen (who was barren) deliberately changing an oracle message to the Ogiso. In carrying out the order of the palace, the palace messengers had mercy and set the prince free at Ughoton near Benin.

When his father the Ogiso died, the Ogiso dynasty ended. The people and royal kingmakers preferred their king's son as natural next in line to rule.

The exiled Prince Ekaladerhan had changed his name to Izoduwa meaning 'I have chosen the part of prosperity' and found his way to Ile-Ife. It was during this period of confusion the elders led by Oliha mounted a search for the banished Prince Ekaladerhan whom the Ife people will now called Oduduwa. Oduduwa, who could not return due to age, granted them Oranmiyan, his son, to rule over them. Oranmiyan was resisted by Ogiamien Irebor, one of the palace chiefs and took up his abode in the palace built for him at Usama by the elders (now a coronation shrine). Soon after his arrival he married a beautiful lady, Erinmwinde, daughter of Ogie-Egor, the ninth Enogie (Duke) of Egor, by whom he had a son.

After some years residence here he called a meeting of the people and renounced his office, remarking that the country was a land of vexation, Ile-Ibinu Yoruba words (by which name the country was afterward known) and that only a child born, trained and educated in the arts and mysteries of the land could reign over the people. He caused his son born to him by Erinmwinde to be made King in his place, and returned to Yoruba land Ile-Ife. His son whom he left behind was deaf and dumb, and the elders recoursed to Oranmiyan who gave them charmed seeds "omo ayo" to play with which will make him to talk.

The little Oranmiyan played with the seeds with his peers at Egor his mother’s hometown. While playing with the seeds he announced "Owomika" meaning 'my hands catch it' in yoruba but corrupted to 'Eweka' by the Edos. This is why every Oba of Benin must stay seven days in Usama and announce his name at Egor. Eweka thus started the Oba dynasty. Oranmiyan was also the founder of Oyo Empire where he ruled supreme as the first Aalafin of Oyo and proceeded to ile ife to become the 6th Ooni of ife while his descendants rules in Ile Ife, Oyo and Benin.

By the 15th century, Benin had expanded into a thriving city-state. The twelfth Oba in line, Oba Ewuare the Great (1440–1473) would expand the city-state's territories to surrounding regions.

It was not until the 15th century during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great that the kingdom's administrative centre, the city Ubinu, began to be known as Benin City by the Portuguese, later be adopted by the locals as well. Before then, due to the pronounced ethnic diversity at the kingdom's headquarters during the 15th century from the successes of Oba Ewuare, the earlier name ('Ubinu') by a tribe of the Edos was colloquially spoken as "Bini" by the mix of Itsekhiri, Esan, Igbo, Ijaw Edo, Urhobo living together in the royal administrative centre of the kingdom. The Portuguese would write this down as Benin City. Though, farther Edo clans, such as the Itsekiris and the Urhobos still referred to the city as Ubini up till the late 19th century, as evidence implies.

Aside from Benin City, the system of rule of the Oba in his kingdom, even through the golden age of the kingdom, was still loosely based after the Ogiso dynasty, which was military and royal protection in exchange of use of resources and implementation of taxes paid to the royal administrative centre. Language and culture was not enforced but remained heterogeneous and localized according to each group within the kingdom, though a local "Enogie" (duke) was often appointed by the Oba for specified ethnic areas.

Oduduwa was a lame dog with bald head like vulture

Lies, false and misleading..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=warwyTXqt1I

False story

banty:
Lies, false and misleading..

Then, I must say you knows nothing about the history of Oduduwa and his people.

harrystories:
Then, I must say you knows nothing about the history of Oduduwa and his people.

Neither do you. Lies will not help you. Go to ìfẹ and learn from Odùduwà custodians themselves

OlaoChi:


Neither do you. Lies will not help you. Go to ìfẹ and learn from Odùduwà custodians themselves

What will I lean from them? That he was a prince of Mecca. It was supposedly the persecution of the Muslim elite of the city that caused him and his fellow animists to leave Arabia. Or that he was a migrant from Egypt.

Believe or not, Oduduwa was in fact a prince of the royal family of Benin kingdom. He left Benin due to a struggle over the royal succession. It is supposedly due to this fact that a descendant of his was subsequently allowed to return and found the dynasty that rules the kingdom of Benin to this day.

harrystories:
What will I lean from them? That he was a prince of Mecca. It was supposedly the persecution of the Muslim elite of the city that caused him and his fellow animists to leave Arabia. Or that he was a migrant from Egypt.

Believe or not, Oduduwa was in fact a prince of the royal family of Benin kingdom. He left Benin due to a struggle over the royal succession. It is supposedly due to this fact that a descendant of his was subsequently allowed to return and found the dynasty that rules the kingdom of Benin to this day.

You need to really study Yoruba history through reliable sources not hearsay or from the internet

Go to ìfẹ, meet elders.. They will tell you where Odùduwà is from.. It's not far from Ifẹ̀ you can go there the same day

All that benin stuff is a lie and benin elders know it

Hm, I also hv a story, how can I make a topic?

Masterppower:
Oduduwa wash a lame dog with bald head like vulture

Aja ni yio je enu e. Oduduwa baba nla wa n fe owo. Respect our culture.

MysteryFinder:
Hm, I also hv a story, how can I make a topic?

Go to the ‘home' page of Culture Forum. From this place , you will see something like this; (Create a topic). Seeing it, click on it and you can be able to do whatever you want do.

Olu317:
Go to the ‘home' page of Culture Forum. From this place , you will see something like this; (Create a topic). Seeing it, click on it and you can be able to do whatever you want do.

Thank you so much. It's very helpful. I have seen it. I should open a topic later today.

This is my Comment

harrystories:

The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Benin Kingdom, was a pre-colonial kingdom in what is now southern Nigeria. Its capital was Edo, now known as Benin City in Edo state. It should not be confused with the modern-day Republic of Benin, formerly the Republic of Dahomey. The Benin Kingdom was "one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa, dating perhaps to the eleventh century until it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.


The original people and founders of the Benin Kingdom, the Edo people, were initially ruled by the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) who called their land Igodomigodo. The first Ogiso (Ogiso Igodo), wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere, his eldest son.

In the 12th century, a great palace intrigue erupted and crown prince Ekaladerhan, the only son of the last Ogiso was sentenced to death as a result of the first Queen (who was barren) deliberately changing an oracle message to the Ogiso. In carrying out the order of the palace, the palace messengers had mercy and set the prince free at Ughoton near Benin.

When his father the Ogiso died, the Ogiso dynasty ended. The people and royal kingmakers preferred their king's son as natural next in line to rule.

The exiled Prince Ekaladerhan had changed his name to Izoduwa meaning 'I have chosen the part of prosperity' and found his way to Ile-Ife. It was during this period of confusion the elders led by Oliha mounted a search for the banished Prince Ekaladerhan whom the Ife people will now called Oduduwa. Oduduwa, who could not return due to age, granted them Oranmiyan, his son, to rule over them. Oranmiyan was resisted by Ogiamien Irebor, one of the palace chiefs and took up his abode in the palace built for him at Usama by the elders (now a coronation shrine). Soon after his arrival he married a beautiful lady, Erinmwinde, daughter of Ogie-Egor, the ninth Enogie (Duke) of Egor, by whom he had a son.

After some years residence here he called a meeting of the people and renounced his office, remarking that the country was a land of vexation, Ile-Ibinu Yoruba words (by which name the country was afterward known) and that only a child born, trained and educated in the arts and mysteries of the land could reign over the people. He caused his son born to him by Erinmwinde to be made King in his place, and returned to Yoruba land Ile-Ife. His son whom he left behind was deaf and dumb, and the elders recoursed to Oranmiyan who gave them charmed seeds "omo ayo" to play with which will make him to talk.

The little Oranmiyan played with the seeds with his peers at Egor his mother’s hometown. While playing with the seeds he announced "Owomika" meaning 'my hands catch it' in yoruba but corrupted to 'Eweka' by the Edos. This is why every Oba of Benin must stay seven days in Usama and announce his name at Egor. Eweka thus started the Oba dynasty. Oranmiyan was also the founder of Oyo Empire where he ruled supreme as the first Aalafin of Oyo and proceeded to ile ife to become the 6th Ooni of ife while his descendants rules in Ile Ife, Oyo and Benin.

By the 15th century, Benin had expanded into a thriving city-state. The twelfth Oba in line, Oba Ewuare the Great (1440–1473) would expand the city-state's territories to surrounding regions.

It was not until the 15th century during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great that the kingdom's administrative centre, the city Ubinu, began to be known as Benin City by the Portuguese, later be adopted by the locals as well. Before then, due to the pronounced ethnic diversity at the kingdom's headquarters during the 15th century from the successes of Oba Ewuare, the earlier name ('Ubinu') by a tribe of the Edos was colloquially spoken as "Bini" by the mix of Itsekhiri, Esan, Igbo, Ijaw Edo, Urhobo living together in the royal administrative centre of the kingdom. The Portuguese would write this down as Benin City. Though, farther Edo clans, such as the Itsekiris and the Urhobos still referred to the city as Ubini up till the late 19th century, as evidence implies.

Aside from Benin City, the system of rule of the Oba in his kingdom, even through the golden age of the kingdom, was still loosely based after the Ogiso dynasty, which was military and royal protection in exchange of use of resources and implementation of taxes paid to the royal administrative centre. Language and culture was not enforced but remained heterogeneous and localized according to each group within the kingdom, though a local "Enogie" (duke) was often appointed by the Oba for specified ethnic areas.

Where did the Ogisos, the sky kings, come from?

Why should Ekaladerhan, a so called crown prince, be punished for the sin of a queen?

How old was Ekaladerhan when he left Igodomigodo and how old was he when he was supposedly found in Ife if he was too old to return to Bini according to you?

How did the Bini searchers know that the Ekaladerhan they were looking for, who was now very old, was the person they found in Ife? Did he tell them he was going to Ife?

Why was it that of all the lands and people surrounding Igodomigodo, it was Ife that Ekaladerhan chose to go? Does that indicate that Ife was a reputable and famous town then?

Why would Ekaladerhan change his name to Izoduwa?

What is the meaning of Oduduwa? What is the meaning of Odu as in Odufuwa, Odumakin, Odumosun, Odusote, Odukunle, Odukoya, etc.?

Why was Oranmiyan the child sent to Bini by the ruler of Ife then supposedly known as Izoduwa,according to you? Was Oranmiyan the only child of the so called Izoduwa?

Who was Okanbi (the only one born)? Why do the Yorubas say Okan l'omo O'dua (O'dua's child is one)?

Why was the title of the Bini ruler changed from Ogiso to Oba since according to you Oranmiyan was not allowed to rule over Bini?

Why was Oranmiyan not allowed by Bini chiefs to rule over Bini since Oduduwa his father was from Bini according to you?

Who was ruling over Bini when the Bini chiefs had prevented Oranmiyan from ruling over them?

How long did Oranmiyan stay in Bini and how Old was Oduduwa when Oranmiyan returned to Ife since Oduduwa was too old to go to Bini initially according to your story?

Did Oranmiyan meet Oduduwa on the throne when he came back to Ife?

If Oranmiyan was a child of Oduduwa, why was he still be able to reign five generations after Oduduwa? Does that indicate that Oranmiyan was as old as Methusela before he became the king? Or does it indicate that the preceeding rulers before him never lived long?

Why did the Binis start recently to celebrate "the return of Oodua" festival and not the "return of Izoduwa" festival?

Why did the Bini suddenly abandon their Ogiso title for Oba and Igodomigodo name for a strange name called Ile-Ibinu when Oranmiyan was not allowed to rule over them for long and despite that these are foreign names?

Why do Binis also worship so many Yoruba gods like Ogun (the god of Iron), Olokun - the owner of "okun" (ocen) i.e. the god of the sea?

Why do some Bini people bear Yoruba names?

What is the origin of Ekiokpagha treaty which has been kept as part of the coronation ceremony of new Oba of Bini for years and why is Bini authority trying to repress this treaty recently?

Is the concern of the Ogiames of Bini as stated in this article true: https://guardian.ng/features/ogiso-and-ogiamien-are-aborigine-binis-while-oba-of-benin-is-of-yoruba-descent-high-chief-esotericist-monday-wehere/?

harrystories:
What will I lean from them? That he was a prince of Mecca. It was supposedly the persecution of the Muslim elite of the city that caused him and his fellow animists to leave Arabia. Or that he was a migrant from Egypt.

Believe or not, Oduduwa was in fact a prince of the royal family of Benin kingdom. He left Benin due to a struggle over the royal succession. It is supposedly due to this fact that a descendant of his was subsequently allowed to return and found the dynasty that rules the kingdom of Benin to this day.

Where did the Ogisos, the sky kings, come from?

Why should Ekaladerhan, a so called crown prince, be punished for the sin of a queen?

How old was Ekaladerhan when he left Igodomigodo and how old was he when he was supposedly found in Ife if he was too old to return to Bini according to you?

How did the Bini searchers know that the Ekaladerhan they were looking for, who was now very old, was the person they found in Ife? Did he tell them he was going to Ife?

Why was it that of all the lands and people surrounding Igodomigodo, it was Ife that Ekaladerhan chose to go? Does that indicate that Ife was a reputable and famous town then?

Why would Ekaladerhan change his name to Izoduwa?

What is the meaning of Oduduwa? What is the meaning of Odu as in Odufuwa, Odumakin, Odumosun, Odusote, Odukunle, Odukoya, etc.?

Why was Oranmiyan the child sent to Bini by the ruler of Ife then supposedly known as Izoduwa,according to you? Was Oranmiyan the only child of the so called Izoduwa?

Who was Okanbi (the only one born)? Why do the Yorubas say Okan l'omo O'dua (O'dua's child is one)?

Why was the title of the Bini ruler changed from Ogiso to Oba since according to you Oranmiyan was not allowed to rule over Bini?

Why was Oranmiyan not allowed by Bini chiefs to rule over Bini since Oduduwa, his father, was from Bini according to you?

Who was ruling over Bini when the Bini chiefs had prevented Oranmiyan from ruling over them?

How long did Oranmiyan stay in Bini and how Old was Oduduwa when Oranmiyan returned to Ife since Oduduwa was too old to go to Bini initially according to your story?

Did Oranmiyan meet Oduduwa on the throne when he came back to Ife?

If Oranmiyan was a child of Oduduwa, why was he still be able to reign five generations after Oduduwa? Does that indicate that Oranmiyan was as old as Methusela before he became the king? Or does it indicate that the preceeding rulers before him never lived long?

Why did the Binis start recently to celebrate "the return of Oodua" festival and not the "return of Izoduwa" festival?

Why did the Bini suddenly abandon their Ogiso title for Oba and Igodomigodo name for a strange name called Ile-Ibinu when Oranmiyan was not allowed to rule over them for long and despite that these are foreign names?

Why do Binis also worship so many Yoruba gods like Ogun (the god of Iron), Olokun - the owner of "okun" (ocen) i.e. the god of the sea?

Why do some Bini people bear Yoruba names?

What is the origin of Ekiokpagha treaty which has been kept as part of the coronation ceremony of new Oba of Bini for years and why is Bini authority trying to repress this treaty recently?

Is the concern of the Ogiames of Bini as stated in this article true: https://guardian.ng/features/ogiso-and-ogiamien-are-aborigine-binis-while-oba-of-benin-is-of-yoruba-descent-high-chief-esotericist-monday-wehere/?