During the reign of Oba Ozolua (between 1483 and 1514 AD), two of his wives, Oloi Idia and Oloi Ohonmi, gave birth on the same day. They both had sons.

Oloi Ohonmi gave birth in the morning to the first son and he was named Idubor, who was fondly called Arhuanran (sometimes spelt Aruanran).

On the other hand, Oloi Idia gave birth later in the day. Her son was given the name Osawe (He later became Oba Esigie).

Here’s where the drama started.

When Idubor was born, he did not immediately cry. In that era, it was inappropriate to announce the birth of a mute baby to the monarch. However, Queen Idia’s baby cried as soon as he was born and thus, his birth was reported to Oba Ozolua, who instantly declared him his first son, automatically moving Idubor to the number two slot.

Idubor, while growing up was very bitter about his predicament. On many occasions, he asked his mother if the king was his true father and why he callously took away his birthright in such a mean fashion.

Idubor (Arhuanran) grew up to be a giant. Legend has it that he uprooted palm trees with his bare hands, sweeping the ground with the fronds. He turned out to be a great warrior who had the overwhelming advantage of size and stamina.

I must add here that another version of this story reveals that Idubor and Osawe were not actually the eldest sons of Oba Ozolua. They had an elder brother, Ogidigbo, who was said to have become a cripple following a combat competition between him and his brothers. His disability disqualified him from taking over from his father. Citizens secretly pointed accusing fingers at Oloi Idia as being responsible for Ogidigbo’s calamity, using her mystical powers to ensure that her son, Osawe (Oba Esigie) clinched the crown.

Before his demise in 1504, Oba Ozolua had already carved out dukedoms for his sons. This was to avoid anarchy in the next dispensation. As compensation, Arhuanran was therefore made the Duke of Udo; a town not too far from Benin.
Please, note that Idia's role in the nullification of the first son Ogidogbo was not lost on Arhuanran, whose enmity towards his brother Osawe ( Oba Esigie) intensified that he even tried to assassinate him.

A noted warrior and conqueror of the fierce town of Okhumwu, Arhuanran was bigger and stronger, and could easily have trounced the weaker Esigie, whom Oba Ozolua had sent to attend the Portuguese mission school after his baptism.

Arhuanran's assassination attempts could have succeeded were it not for Idia who was reputedly skilled in magical arts and whom he knew was a formidable opponent he had to overcome.

Realizing he had to acquire supernatural powers if he wanted to take on Idia who was her son's spiritual protector, oral tradition recounts that Arhuanran retreated to Uroho village to learn the art of black magic from an old sorceress, Iyenuroho (Okpewho).
That he chose a woman as teacher, is clear recognition that his opponent was a woman and that he had to learn the ways of female mystical powers to be assured of victory.

We should note that Esigie's possible lack of combat experience, is the result of having to attend the school of Portuguese missionaries, rather than join his father in fighting wars.

Failing to accept the facts on ground, the Duke (Enogie) of Udo, Ahruanran refused to play a subordinate role to his brother, Oba Esigie, and at first, tried to make Udo the capital of Benin kingdom, with himself as king. It did not take too long before the two brothers went to war.

The war was difficult, bitter and long drawn out. It was not until the third campaign that Udo was defeated.

The third campaign was timed to coincide with the planting season, when Udo citizen-soldiers, who were mainly farmers, would be busy on their farms.

Meanwhile, Arhuanran had two sons Kpamabira and Oni-Oni. They were ruling alongside their father, but before the war, Kpamabira died.

Prior to the last battle with his brother, Oba Esigie, Arhuanran told his surviving son, Oni-Oni to stay at home and wait for his return, alerting his household to listen out for the sound of the magical bell that he placed somewhere in the house. He explained that if it chimed, they will know that his brother, Oba Esigie had won the battle.

Later on, as he fought in the war front, Arhuanran was shocked to see a young man fighting just like himself. Without thinking twice, he used a powerful incantation, commanding the sword to immediately kill the copycat fighter (A GBE VBE NI ME GBE NE UMOZO GBEE RIE YOEWE).

At that moment, the warrior died, only for Arhuanran to discover that the man who possessed his fighting skills, was none other than his beloved son, Oni-Oni. Arhuanran had no idea his son had sneaked along to join in the war. In rage and pain, Arhuanran intensified his onslaught on his brother’s army, until there was no winner in the battlefield.

When victory was not forthcoming, Arhuanran decided to run home on time, but his movements were not swift enough…

By this time, the magical bell at home was sounding and therefore, Udo people believed Oba Esigie had conquered their duke.

This perceived tragedy caused his wife to jump into a river close to the lake (Odighi). She died.

As soon as Arhuanran got home, he found out that his wife had jumped into the river. He was so sad. His sons were gone, now his wife…

A depressed Arhuanran also jumped into the lake. He did not want to be captured prisoner and taken back to Benin.

Before jumping into the lake, he left his Ivie (coral beads necklace), the precious symbol of authority in Benin land, dangling from a tree branch were it could be easily found. Only the Oba could inherit such trophies of dead or conquered leaders and nobles.

Now, Oba Esigie, out of excitement, wore his late brother's necklace. He became mentally disoriented right after he put the necklace around his neck. Removing the necklace from his neck, made no difference.
The king was immediately taken back to Benin in that hopeless state.

His mother, Idia, immediately located a Yoruba Babalawo (mystic) at Ugbo/Ilaje, in the riverine area, and brought him to Benin to work on the king´s spiritual ailment.

He later cured the Oba of the shameful ailment and the Queen after rewarding him generously, prevailed on him, (the Yoruba mystical healer), to settle permanently in Benin, in order to continue rendering his services to Oba Esigie should the need arise.

The Yoruba traditional consultant agreed to stay in Benin and set up home at Ogbelaka quarters, where his descendants have thrived until this day.

Back to Udo:
Many believe that Arhuanran did not die inside the lake (Odighi). They claim he still comes out at night to parade the town of Udo, providing protection for his people.

Before now, the nights Arhuanran came out of the water, all the babies in Udo town would cry non-stop. This trend forced the people of Udo to appeal to Arhuanran spiritually.

After specific rituals, the children no longer cried when he came out of the lake.

Furthermore, the river the wife dived into, is directly opposite the lake. A road separates this river from the lake. Once every year, the river always crosses the road to meet the lake where Arhuanran committed suicide.

Even in 2017, it is forbidden to touch or drink the water from that lake. It is also forbidden to kill or eat any animal from or around the lake. The waters were declared sacred.


It was told that around 1955, a group of Udo people were returning from their farm when they saw a young boy shooting birds close to the lake and the stone dropped into the lake. Immediately, there was a loud voice from the lake that sounded like thunder and many trees around the place shook, as a heavy wind blew. At that moment, the boy became sick and he was rushed home for treatment.
Udo town used that opportunity to tell the public that Arhuanran did not really die, but still lives in the lake; especially as there was never proof of his death.

THE END

Sculpture, by Victor Amen Osunde.

http://www.premiumpaynigeria.com/2018/01/history-arhuanran-giant-warrior-prince.html

cc; lalasticlala , mynd44 , Fynestboi , MissyB3 , Ishilove ,

Arhuarn the Great

My grandma wan use this story finish my ear dah year

....folklore at its best

I thought there was nothing yoruba in present day Edo. So many history twisting...... na wa

step1:
I thought there was nothing yoruba in present day Edo. So many history twisting...... na wa

What is the Yoruba there?

SicilianMafia:


What is the Yoruba there?

Please read the story again. If i don't deny my Benin genealogy why should you deny others

step1:


Please read the story again. If i don't deny my Benin genealogy why should you deny others

WTF is this one talking about!

They made mention of a ilaje herbalist and so fvvcking wat?...how does Yoruba come into the story !

Ooh I never knew all pastors in the world av to come from your tribe b4 you attend the church!

Don't be silly boy, this is 2018!

Please who are ilaji. Look I am not here to fight you: all I said was for you to educate yourself. I have bini blood and relations of Benin heritage. I am a yoruba-Edo- itsekiri lover. We are one people

step1:
Please who are ilaji. Look I am not here to fight you: all I said was for you to educate yourself. I have bini blood and relations of Benin heritage. I am a yoruba-Edo- itsekiri lover. We are one people

Edo is Edo!!

Yoruba is Yoruba!!

We are not one People !!

If you have Benin heritage well good for you, But don't think you can have a say where real Edo's are seated!

It is you who should educate yourself , look at how Yorubas from oyo and osun (who alwaya feel they are the pure stock) treat people like you from Ondo and Ekiti, they always mock them and call thier language gibberish

My advice to you if you really know you have Benin heritage and not just an impostor , nor carry Yoruba matter untop head because according to osun/Oyo people you are not pure/true Yoruba and if push comes to shove you will be reminded of that !!

SicilianMafia:


Edo is Edo!!

Yoruba is Yoruba!!

We are not one People !!

If you have Benin heritage well good for you, But don't think you can have a say where real Edo's are seated!

It is you who should educate yourself , look at how Yorubas from oyo and osun (who alwaya feel they are the pure stock) treat people like you from Ondo and Ekiti, they always mock them and call thier language gibberish

My advice to you if you really know you have Benin heritage and not just an impostor , nor carry Yoruba matter untop head because according to osun/Oyo people you are not pure/true Yoruba and if push comes to shove you will be reminded of that !!

Nonsense!

Every Yoruba dialect is beautiful and held with great admiration across Yorubaland.
There is also nothing like "pure Yoruba" i've never heard such a thing in my life. From Itsekiri in the east to Anago in the West, Awori in the south to Okun in the north

[s]

macof:

Nonsense!

Every Yoruba dialect is beautiful and held with great admiration across Yorubaland.
There is also nothing like "pure Yoruba" i've never heard such a thing in my life. From Itsekiri in the east to Anago in the West, Awori in the south to Okun in the north

[/s]

Stop the useless facade you are trying to put up!

Those that went to universities in Yoruba villages know what am talking about

SicilianMafia:
[s][/s]

Stop the useless facade you are trying to put up!

Those that went to universities in Yoruba villages know what am talking about

You are the one making up absurdities. All Yorubas who aren't from Osun or Oyo states are every much as Yoruba as those from Osun and Oyo.
stop saying nonsense, no way is one more Yoruba than the other

Aruhan ne kebeze

Just which he could come flush this yoruba boy above me

gregyboy:
Aruhan ne kebeze

Just which he could come flush this yoruba boy above me

ode oponu

Why not say your true desire?
Of flushing all Yorubas

I still don't know what makes you binis on nl have this much hate for Yoruba

macof:
ode oponu

Why not say your true desire?
Of flushing all Yorubas

I still don't know what makes you binis on nl have this much hate for Yoruba

Lol i love yorubas for thier cunnity dem!! you guys are good always associate with big boys on every aspect of endeavour north for politics ,benin for solid history,uk for recognition name it Yoruba are indeed cunny

gregyboy:


Lol i love yorubas for thier cunnity dem!! you guys are good always associate with big boys on every aspect of endeavour north for politics ,benin for solid history,uk for recognition name it Yoruba are indeed cunny

Na true ooo

SicilianMafia:


Na true ooo

Even the ooni is a bigger example of who dey are the yorubas lives a life of deciet ,hypocrisy, power you see most of them doing ritual just to oppress themselves

If is other tribe that has a solid history like benin trust yorubas them for don change history for thier head tey tey .benin hard them

gregyboy:


Lol i love yorubas for thier cunnity dem!! you guys are good always associate with big boys on every aspect of endeavour north for politics ,benin for solid history,uk for recognition name it Yoruba are indeed cunny

Ok. But hate will get you nowhere

We are all Africans, the sooner you realize that the better for you individually

SicilianMafia:


Edo is Edo!!

Yoruba is Yoruba!!

We are not one People !!

If you have Benin heritage well good for you, But don't think you can have a say where real Edo's are seated!

It is you who should educate yourself , look at how Yorubas from oyo and osun (who alwaya feel they are the pure stock) treat people like you from Ondo and Ekiti, they always mock them and call thier language gibberish

My advice to you if you really know you have Benin heritage and not just an impostor , nor carry Yoruba matter untop head because according to osun/Oyo people you are not pure/true Yoruba and if push comes to shove you will be reminded of that !!

And what exactly is true Yoruba?
It's always ipob and ignorant people like you who always use the Osun or Oyo tag to judge how Yoruba someone is. Let me tell you this, the Yorubas in Osun and Oyo are not homogenous and speak a variety of colorful dialects. You probably think everyone in Osun and Oyo speak the Oyo language as a native tongue. You are simply misinformed!

macof:


Ok. But hate will get you nowhere

We are all Africans, the sooner you realize that the better for you individually

I don't think you know that. Because ethnocentricism is writting all over your profile "am a yoruba”

If you aint ethnocentric it will be am african or nigeria

gregyboy:


I don't think you know that. Because ethnocentricism is writting all over your profile "am a yoruba”

If you aint ethnocentric it will be am african or nigeria

I am ethnocentric ´, yet i am African...You don't see me hating on other fellow africans or wishing people harm because they are not of my ethnicity

Loyalty to ones ethnicity doesn't stop love and appreciation for other ethnicities of the same race. In fact hate for other people is not loyalty to your own people, if you think defending your ethnicity is by attacking every other neighboring people you must be really daft

macof:
I am ethnocentric ´, yet i am African...You don't see me hating on other fellow africans or wishing people harm because they are not of my ethnicity

Loyalty to ones ethnicity doesn't stop love and appreciation for other ethnicities of the same race. In fact hate for other people is not loyalty to your own people, if you think defending your ethnicity is by attacking every other neighboring people you must be really daft

My friend you re ethnocentric
Your quote: “i am a yoruba and yoruba is my only identity"
Ethnocentricism bring loves to a mans culture and bore's hate on anothers Mans own .And thats
what you're

On attacking issue you attacked the tread first with trabalism and we revoked it with the Truth not ethnocentric comment

gregyboy:



My friend you re ethnocentric
Your quote: “i am a yoruba and yoruba is my only identity"
Ethnocentricism bring loves to a mans culture and bore's hate on anothers Mans own .And thats
what you're

On attacking issue you attacked the tread first with trabalism and we revoked it with the Truth not ethnocentric comment

When have I made a hate speech against any non-yoruba ethnicity? don't be stupid! again, Loyalty to one's ethnicity doesn't have to mean hate for others


I attacked the thread with tribalism you are obviously very blinded by your delusions. it was one such as you, a fellow bini who kept talking trash as usual about how Osun and Oyo people degrade yorubas from other states. So correcting an obvious lie is tribalism?

revoked what? that an Ekiti man like myself is mocked and rejected by other Yorubas for not being from Osun or Oyo state? State boundaries that are a modern construct?
And you even say you revoked with truth the way some people just choose to shut down their brains is just hilarious
how dumb can one be to even think there is any truth to that nonsense?

It will take a skillful surgeon with a special scalpel to separate reliance of Bini on Yoruba

.

His mother, Idia, immediately located a Yoruba Babalawo (mystic) at Ugbo/Ilaje, in the riverine area, and brought him to Benin to work on the king´s spiritual ailment.

He later cured the Oba of the shameful ailment and the Queen after rewarding him generously, prevailed on him, (the Yoruba mystical healer), to settle permanently in Benin, in order to continue rendering his services to Oba Esigie should the need arise.

The Yoruba traditional consultant agreed to stay in Benin and set up home at Ogbelaka quarters, where his descendants have thrived until this day. [/quote]

nobaga:
It will take a skillful surgeon with a special scalpel to separate reliance of Bini on Yoruba

His mother, Idia, immediately located a Yoruba Babalawo (mystic) at Ugbo/Ilaje, in the riverine area, and brought him to Benin to work on the king´s spiritual ailment.

He later cured the Oba of the shameful ailment and the Queen after rewarding him generously, prevailed on him, (the Yoruba mystical healer), to settle permanently in Benin, in order to continue rendering his services to Oba Esigie should the need arise.

The Yoruba traditional consultant agreed to stay in Benin and set up home at Ogbelaka quarters, where his descendants have thrived until this day.

It was not just the Yoruba that served the Benin Empire, others from the Igbos, Igallas, Tivs and even the Europeans did as well. Just the way America was not built alone by the whites, the Benin in the old empire were mostly administrators whilst others played other various rolls....Ijaws-sailors, Esan-millitary, Yoruba-physicians, Etsako-farming/war equipments e.t.c.

The difference here is that both America and Yoruba accept and celebrate the contributions of immigrants in their culture not usurp and stand on their shoulders beating their chests as the source of an ocean.

samuk:


It was not just the Yoruba that served the Benin Empire, others from the Igbos, Igallas, Tivs and even the Europeans did as well. Just the way America was not built alone by the whites, the Benin in the old empire were mostly administrators whilst others played other various rolls....Ijaws-sailors, Esan-millitary, Yoruba-physicians, Etsako-farming/war equipments e.t.c.

samuk:


It was not just the Yoruba that served the Benin Empire, others from the Igbos, Igallas, Tivs and even the Europeans did as well. Just the way America was not built alone by the whites, the Benin in the old empire were mostly administrators whilst others played other various rolls....Ijaws-sailors, Esan-millitary, Yoruba-physicians, Etsako-farming/war equipments e.t.c.

When were Igala and Tiv part of the Bini empire?

Ok o,this world is indeed mysterious.

Isoryt