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Nairaland Forum / Abovebonny's Profile / Abovebonny's Posts
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Etinosa12345: I never said they were weak militarily, but they did not put up fierce resistance against the British as their government was too centralised, so once Edo fell the entire kingdom crumbled. Facing the British in open battle is just as stupid as facing the Romans in open battle. Yes, France was inferior to Germany in WW2, the French had many soldiers and artillery but they could not stand up against the German tank's blitzkrieg across the Ardennes Forest and straight into Paris. 1 Like |
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PORNeIlusHUBson: The only Empire Nigeria ever had was the Sokoto Caliphate... So no Oyo was not an empire by any means. Look at the map and tell me Sokoto was not an empire? And that Oyo and Benin were not Kingdoms...
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bonjovi787: I am not "black" I am mixed race of Igbo & English heritage. I don't know why you people love to over exaggerate Benin's scope of influence. Perhaps a small minority of independent Igbo villages west of the Niger paid tribute to the Oba's its likely, but the Igbos were not a united entity. Talk case specific and stop saying Benin ruled everyone and their ancestors abeg ![]() Next you will tell us that the ancient Egyptians also paid tribute... What Benin Empire?!?!? It was a kingdom get a grip man. lack of firepower is no excuse for lack of resistance, Benin folded in 9 days... 9 freaking days Anglo-Xhosa wars took 100 years to finally conclude. The Anglo-Ashanti wars lasted for 76 years, ending at the beginning of the 20th century. The Zulus wiped out the British at Isandlwana, worst defeat by the British at the hands of an inferior foe. Anglo-Aro war lasted 1 year & yet the majority of Igbos still resisted British conquest. Ekumeku resistance fought the British for 31 years. Benin had many warriors but their tactics, superstition and leadership caused their quick demise. 3 Likes 1 Share |
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bonjovi787: We are referring to political influence so in this case we mean direct control of specific outcomes. True empires have more direct control than indirect control. No this is what influence looks like... 1 Like
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bonjovi787: We are referring to political influence so in this case we mean direct control or specific outcomes. True empires have more direct control than indirect control. no this is what infulkcne looks like... 3 Likes |
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samuk: I do not dispute the founding or diversity of these regions... however, apart from Igede they had majority Igbo populations who were not under direct rule from The Benin Kingdom. Yes Benin also had great influence with her neighbours, but that does not mean Benin was all powerful. The Benin expedition of 1897: it took the British 9 days to conqueror this so called "empire"... with just over 1000 men who were mostly local conscripts. |
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Etrusen: I really don't care my initial argument is that Benin is a kingdom not an empire.... the Yoruba kingdoms are also as such, kingdoms. 1 Like |
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Etinosa12345: |
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samuk: No doubt that The Kingdom of Benin was powerful in the region, but they were by no means expansionist otherwise they could have easily conquered their neighbours as they had a large military. 1 Like |
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Etinosa12345: I'm sorry but this is a gross misunderstanding of history, I have read both books and neither of them make reference to Igbo's being under the thumb of the Benin Kingdom. Asaba lies on the West Bank of the Niger River, and is the largest Igbo town across the Niger. This means that Asaba is close to the Benin boarder, yet they were never ruled by any Oba and remained an independent Igbo community. Which part of Igboland did Benin rule? Enugu? Owerri? please talk with historical facts and stop making historically inaccurate claims. I am aware of Igbo migrations into the Delta and Benin areas, but that is not what we are discussing. SO Benin and The British Empire are on the same level in terms of empire? since you think size does not matter? Before The British Empire do you think the small Kingdoms which existed in England were called empires? The Kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, Kent, Northumbria etc all existed within Britain at one time... even when all these kingdoms came together to form England, England was still a kingdom. When England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland became one state, it was still referred to as the "United Kingdom" as it is today. It wasn't until Britain conquered other nations such as: Nigeria, India, Australia, South Africa, Canada etc that it became THE BRITISH EMPIRE.... so yes size does matter! Its very simple to understand, in Nigeria there existed small kingdoms such as Benin, Oyo, Nri, Hausa and so forth. The only empire to exist in Nigeria was the Sokoto Caliphate. Controlling trade in an area does not make you an empire, the Arochukwu-confederation had a monopoly on trade in the east yet no educated person would consider them an empire. There is no shame in being referred to as a kingdom, all major states and empires began as kingdoms. Benin is one of the kingdoms which make up the state of Nigeria, the same way Wales is one of 4 kingdoms which make up the United Kingdom.... very simple logic to understand. 3 Likes |
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Etinosa12345: Empires are large and stretch across vast amounts of land with many different people from other nations. The Benin Kingdom consisted of other smaller communities of people but they never conquered a nation, Benin never conquered the Igbo, Yoruba Ijaw or any other major tribe in the region. Let’s compare Benin to Rome. Rome began as a small city state on the Italian Peninsular surrounded by other Latin & Greek city states. Rome eventually conquered the surrounding peoples and secured Italy. It was only then that Rome became a Republic (Kingdom). Rome then expanded into Greece, Iberia, Gaul, Britannia etc etc... The Roman Republic was now an empire. Look at The Roman Empire on the map, now that’s a true empire... not Benin... 6 Likes
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Etrusen: Look at the map again, left of Benin it says Yoruba and this represents the Oyo Kingdom which was clearly much larger & had greater influence. The Yorubas influence stretched as far west as Ghana, hence the Ga people who are directly related to the Yorubas. The Yorubas engaged in far more conflict than Benin. Although Benin had a large army they never put it into action like the Hausas or Yorubas did. Even the Different Igbo tribes were constantly at war with their neighbours and with each other. Benin is very ancient yes, but not very formidable in terms of conquest. 2 Likes 1 Share |
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Etinosa12345: I made the point to illustrate how small Benin was... The Benin Kingdom did not control any part of the Niger River, which was a major trade network they could have taken advantage of, but never did. 1 Like |
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I just hope that "civilisation" will be king enough to leave these people in peace to their ways, they have a unique heritage unlike another in Nigeria. Theirs is pure and unadulterated unlike many of the other ethnic groups. Nice post thank you for brining this topic to light. ![]() ![]() 1 Like |
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VickyRotex: And your great grandmothers also used to dress the same way, have some respect you dunce |
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Oxford definition of "empire": a group of countries or states that are controlled by one ruler or government e.g. the Roman Empire. Considering Benin's borders never extended beyond the Niger River, let alone outside of Nigeria's boarders, means that it does not qualify for empire status. The Benin Kingdom was just that, a kingdom. The map I've provided shows just how small Benin was, comparable in size and influence to the Nri kingdom. Look at Mali, Songhai, Ghana & Akan these can be classified as empires as they fit the definition perfectly. I still think The Benin Kingdom was a formidable and rich culture with deep spiritual and militaristic traditions, but they weren't an expansionist enterprise like the other larger west African empires. Even Oyo, the largest Yoruba kingdom was far greater territorially than Benin. Please stop overstating history because you have a bias towards a particular topic. 6 Likes
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I'm a little confused, as I understand it the Omu is the hypothetical man in the marriage, therefore the Omu can marry other Women. These relationships between the Omu and her wives are sexual or purely ceremonial (for the sake of children)? Is the Omu barren/elderly so she marries "wives" who can bare children with other men for the purpose of giving them to the Omu as some kind of adoption? |
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Shelumiel: I agree with you to an extent, but in an ever modernising world women will have no choice but to become more instrumental in business. It should be managed as such to prevent them from neglecting maternal duties & overworking themselves. For instance In the west, many women strive to be "equal to men" and as a result they are more miserable, childless & sexually deviant. |
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I've noticed some similarities between pre colonial Igbo society and ancient Greece. The main resemblance is that of the city state. As we know ancient Greece was not a unified body, but rather a group of small but influential governments each varying to some degree in culture & tradition. But united under the Hellenic pantheon (ancient Greek religion). There are parallels with Igbo variations in cultural & traditional practices but all united under one belief system, Odinani. Classical Athens was the cultural & religuous centre of Greece. Much like how Igbo-Ukwu was for the Igbos. Ephesus was the most important trading port in the Aegean sea . Onitsha was largest metropolitan trading port on the Niger river. Sparta was the militaristic society built on warfare & conquest of her neighbours. like Sparta, Ohofia had a strong warrior tradition renowned throughout Igboland. Ritual slavery with was common in both ancient Greece & Igboland. Disclaimer! I'm by no means suggesting that Igbos & ancient Greeks are related, I just thought it was an interesting comparison to make. 1 Like 3 Shares
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Hi everyone, This is a revised map of the Nigerian state if all ethnic groups beyond Nigeria's boundaries were added to the republic to form a New Nigerian Nation. Ethnic groups who's territory has been increased: Hausa- North & North West (Niger, Benin Republic) Yoruba- West (Benin Republic, Togo) Efik/Ibibio- South Eastern (Anglophone Cameroon) Kanuri- North Eastern (Niger, Cameroon, ??Chad??) I may have left out some tribes or not properly traced the ethnic borders well, however I think the map is a close approximation of how New Nigeria would look. In addition, I have added the Niger river for some perspective. If you look directly below Abuja you will notice a purple mark, this is where I propose the capital of 'New Nigeria' to be located. A few reasons for this relocation are: 1. Easier access to the Niger river, resulting in increased commerce & industry. 2. Improved transportation links (bridges, railways, waterways). 3. Central administration would still be possible from this location. 4. Incentives to maintain a healthy ecosystem across the Niger. 5. Increased revenue from tourism. 6. High food production/distribution. 7. Urban development. Domestically, Nigeria would work better if all ethnic groups were united in full, making Nigeria a truly multi ethnic state - as the three main regions would gain more land, devolution of power would have more representation due to increased populations & common goals. The unification of cultural societies would have a positive effect on the ethnic groups who have been separated by border and language. Internationally, Nigeria would have more legitimacy as its people will be more united with access to more land, human labour, and natural resources. The nation would benefit from increased exports, a boosting of its military capacity and some territorial gain on the western and eastern coast lines. Nigeria would become a new world player like never before, becoming an African powerhouse, possibly even a major world player on international affairs. DISCLAMER!!! This post is just a bit of fun and is not to be taken too seriously, all contributions are welcome.
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