Oyo empire is just another yoruba lie. Oyo was a little village who was constantly being terrorised by her neighbours, the Alaafin often relied on the Oba of Benin military strength because Oyo paid tributes to Benin.

Pa Idu is not new history, you should ask yourself why the Igbo call Benin people Idu people, this is even assuming that you know that the Igbo call Benin Idu land.

FACTS ABOUT PA IDU

1. Pa Idu was born at Ogbe N’Alaka a place that eventually became the homestead of later Ogiso’s and Oba’s of Benin.
2. Pa Idu father was known as Ere (not to be mistaken as Ogiso Ere) he was the founder of Uhunmwundumwun (premier town), a place hundreds of years later Ogiso Ere moved the palace to from Ugbekun. Pa Idu father Ere, is where the ancient word Otamere (evening tide favored Ere) was created from.
3. Pa Idu is generally accepted as the Progenitor of the Benin race and all its descendants because the chroniclers of our remembered history, Ughoron; popularize his name above other native indigenes of which Idu came out from.
4. Pa Idu had three sons: Akka, Efa and Emehi. Efa and Emehi are the fathers of the modern day Benin population,
5. Through legitimacy of ancient ownership the Efa and Emehi families are the owners of Edo land as every other families came from them.
6. Pa Idu died at Uhe(not to be mistaken as Ile-Ife) present day Igala areas of Kogi State and was referred to as Oghene N’Uhe by the earliest Benin natives, he was deified as a Priest King. The Chief priest and scepter bearer of the Oghene N’ Uhe shrine, Azama; followed Akka, Efa and Emehi back to Benin land and a replica of the shrine was built here in Benin land, the descendants of the Azama N’Uhe are the Oloton family of Benin and they are the custodian of the scepter of authority of Pa Idu carried by Azama and bequeathed to the descendants of Efa and Emehi.
7. Earliest Portuguese referred to Oghene N’Uhe(Pa Idu) as “Ogane” the great potentate of the interior.
8. All Ogisos starting from Ere to Oba Ewuare I all went on pilgrimage visit to pay respect to their progenitor at Uhe, a sort of confirmation and spiritual renewal ritual. A ritual also conducted by Ikaladerhan before he became a ruler in Ile-Ife.
9. When the later Oba’s of Benin discovered the complexity of the pilgrimage visit and the decline of the Uhe town they created “Erinmwidu” a replica of Oghene N’ Uhe Shrine and made it Royalty. Hence Erinmwidu is the royal deity of the Benin people.
10. Idusere, Idusogie, Idugbowa etc. reaffirm the Benin native ownership of Idu ideology hence Idu is Benin, Benin is Idu.

Let the legacies of Pa Idu be remembered by us all his children.
Pa Idu gha to kpere. Ise
Oba gha to kpere. Ise

Written by
Imasuen Amowie Izoduwa

Change of Biafra to Idu kingdom.

THE ORIGIN OF LAGOS

When Nigeria was governed on the basis of tribe Northern (Hausa), Western (Yoruba) and Eastern (lgbo) regions and the colonial Lagos older than Nigeria itself was being claimed as a part of the Yoruba Westem region, by virtue of its location and Yoruba origin with reference to its Benin (Edo) royalty as far back as late 17th century and the American and Caribbean ongins of the descendants of the Ologbowo and the Popo Aguda (Brazilian) returnees of the 1840s. of course, original Lagosians of the time challenged the Lagos belongs the West theory; successfully proved the independence of the old Lagos (gede be L' eko wa) not only
stopped the attempt to merge Lagos with Westem Nigena but also got Lagos State as one of the first twelve states of Nigeria created in 1967

Since 1967, cosmopolitan Lagos has moved from being the capital of Nigeria to a mega city of excellence which now sets the pace of political, social and economical development more than it has ever done in the past. This is because, the ongin of Lagos has been influenced by mot only the (Idejo) chieftaincy, the Benin (Edo) Oba Ado royalty, the civilized and educated Saro (Olowogbowo) and Brazilian (Popo Aguda) returnees of the 1840s, the Tapa (Bida/Nupe), the Black Americans and the Caribbean (artisans of the early 19" century Lagos). These lots constitutes the force that built up Original Lagos (Eko Akoko) before the cessation of the colony of Lagos to the British crown in 1861, long before the creation of the British protectorate of Nigeria in 1914.

The original Lagosians established family compounds and business centres as far back as early 17th century, e.g Iga Aromire, Iga Iduganran, and the agboles (compounds) of the four original settlements Isale Eko, Olowogbowo, Oko Faji and Popo Aguda. These settlements of Lafiaji/lkoyi, Ebute Meta/Yaba were added during the colonial days.

By virtue of the above stated, original Lagos (Eko Akoko) produced Nigeria’s first modern day professionals such as lawyer Sapara-Williams (1880), Doctor J. K. Randle, Engineer Herbert Macaulay, Journalist Kitoyi Ajasa, Chartered Accountant Akintola Williams e.t.c all of them from the early Olowogbowo settlements.

In my own opinion, those who fabricate the very recent theory that Oba Ashipa was a Yoruba from lsheri instead of a Benin Prince from the Oba of Benin (Edo State) were mischievously, politically motivated to historically confirm the story of politicians of the 1940s who claim that Lagos belongs to the West; Yoruba/West of the regional Nigeria. The then Lagos politicians of the Action group Party controlled Western Nigeria went as far as to claim that some well known families of Lagos originated from Oyo, Ekiti, Ijebu, Egba, ljesha etc. in order to qualify them for membership of the Western Nigeria house of assemble or the Nigerian senate needless to say some got their fingers burnt when they were challenged by indigenes of the cities claimed in the 1940s.

It is very ridiculous to hear some academic historians challenge the historical Igbe songs of our innocent ancient Oloris (wives) of the Royal Houses just to please their political masters. Their types have been earlier exposed by the scriptures.

May I however conclude this piece, by reference to the fact that ‘facts are sacred while falsehoods are Satanic and Perishable’.

As a direct descendant of Oba Akinsemoyin of Lagos, I feel obliged to write this piece on original Lagos (Eko Akoko) in order to confirm the history of Royalty in Lagos

Signed:

Ademola Oladega Akinsemoyin

An interesting perspective on Uhe and Oghene which have been long argued to have existed around the Niger-Benue confluence.

[/i]https://fb.watch/9wltvNkHDF/[i]

UMUAZEE:


An account of Benin wars in Akure and Ekiti lands.
This is true history..


"Overview of 19th Century Wars and Turbulence on Ado-Ekiti:
No part of Ekiti was spared the agony of imperialist invasions… The rampaging Benin armies sacked Ogotun, Aramoko, some subordinate communities of Ijero, Ado communities such as Are, Afao, Ugbo (now Ilu) Omoba and Agbado and settled a large percentage of the haul of captives therefrom in Ikere, their garrison post.
Benin armies constantly waged wars of external aggressions on Ekitiland and other communities in different parts of old Ondo State in their quest for territorial expansion and control, among others. A good reference point is the Ado-Ikere relations that resulted to Benin pillage and attacks on Ado-Ekiti on several occasion. Olomola (1984:2-3) noted that Benin armies invaded parts of Ado kingdom a few times between 1500 and 1815.. [/b]Olomola further asserted that the Ewi actually devise a strategy of evacuating his capital city so that the Benin armies would not disturb the Ewi and the rest of his people in their new site.
Odo which was, before the Benin invasion a town of considerable size, broke up as the people sought the safety of rocky and forest recesses and [b]Uyin and Igede lost part of their population in their fight against Benin in 1815.
The development of the Ado Kingdom was seriously affected by external invasion. These resulted in series of demographic upheavals with settlements constantly moved from one site to another. The most serious of these external invasions were by the "Edo" of Benin. They attacked and destroyed many settlements…in the Ado Kingdom… The Edos were invited by Ogoga, the third time the Edos were so invited to settle the quarrel between Ado and Ikere. The line of action they resolved to adopt was to bring all the villages under the ewi to Ikere, settle them there and in this way Ikere would be equal or even bigger than Ado. Ado would then be afraid of Ikere. The Benin soldiers came and sent words to the Ewi Aroloye… He refused to surrender. He did not in any way show that he was not ready for fight.
Every town or village under him (Ewi) except Ijan were prepared to fight… The Benin soldiers stormed Igbara-Odo and Ilawe and took them. At this time, Ado town had been vacated. Aroloye took the people to a place called Oke Oko Axis between Ifaki and Iworoko. Most of the gods Ado worshipped on that side: Olua at Eyio, Obanifon at Esure and Are, Ogbese and Orisala at Iworoko.

The soldiers pitched their camps near Uyin (Iyin)…Ogbesi Okun, the then Oluyin …was conquered and killed. They proceeded to Igede, Awo and Esure and took them. The inhabitants of Igede then uder Okiribiti were driven in a north-easternly direction to a place called Oke Asha…Edo troops then marched to Iworoko…The soldiers entered Are…The same fate befell Afao. They were all taken to Ikere. The soldiers moved to Igbemo …entered Igbo-Omoba (now Ilu-Omoba)…The soldiers left Aisegba for Agbado and without delay took it and evacuated the people. Agbado was the last place under the Ewi. With the conquest, of Agbado, the soldiers seemed to have finished their job…’

Ewi Idagunmodo (1696-1710), Ewi Okinbaloye Aritawekun (1710-1722), Ewi Amono Ola (1722-1762), Ewi Afunbiowo (1762-1781), Ewi Akulojuorun (1781-1808), Ewi Aroloye (1808-1836) who reigned at Ado but were attacked successively by Benin hordes

During the reign of Ewi Aroloye, Ado-Ewi’s kingdom witnessed massive dislocation across the terrain as town dwellers and villagers ran for safety in different directions. Many of the captives from Iworoko, Are, Afao, Ugboomoba (now Ilumoba) and Agbado were taken to Ukere by Benin invaders’.

This is not a battle, this is total defeat!!

Benin continously waged wars on her neighbours for territorial expansions, political influence and economic control earlier than the 1800s, there were several of such wars in the 1800s, the one you posted could be different from the Akure war of 1818.

gregyboy:


I have read benin history to an extent of understanding, and thankGod benin history was writing down by European that was only gift the Europeans could have given the benins to for their hospitality... To them...


Benins didnt just invade any territories without
Importance to that area the ika land was believed to have the native white chalk in abundance, and in other to control such vital resources, ika areas had to be occupied by force by the benins,

When benin conquers a territory they only sends down military commanders and few traders who were mainly chiefs, their wives and children were forbidden to go with them, to this new territories, these benin nobles occupying this new territories takes upon new wife's in the conquered territories and have children and the children and their mothers would be left behind if he returns back to benin,...


So to say, the ikas were original igbos, who later were mixed with benins, any benin man who is saying ikas were originally benin is egoistic and deluded, i am benin myself.... Even the esans were not originally benins, but were invaded by we benins and a full mass migration happened from benin to esan at a time that made them edo like...

We have to be more careful and thoughtful the way we look at these matters.

You authoritatively claim to be a Benin person.

My question is, what makes someone a Benin person?

1. Is it by birth, meaning anyone born in Benin irrespective of were their parents comes from.

2. Is it by being born into one of the Benin numerous families?

Starting from option one above, are you aware that there are established families in Benin that originally migrated from elsewhere.

Are children born to Benin people in diaspora less Benin than those born in Benin City?

During the days of empire, numerous Benin family migrated out of Benin just the way thousands have migrated to Europe and America in recent years. Are the children of these immigrants that migrated to Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Benue, etc in the olden days and recently to America and Europe, Benin.

Who then have the right to say someone is either Benin or not? If Wike in Rivers says his ancestors were Benin, who has the right to say he his lying, if Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe said his ancestors were Benin, who has the right to say he lied.

On classification of various ethnic groups, are you not committing the same error as those that thinks Benin people are yoruba by claiming that Ika were originally Igbo. Are you aware that numerous Ika people will be offended by such claim just the way you are offended when someone classify you as yoruba.

Why would you be offended when you are called a yoruba person, it's because Benin is much more older and established as an ethnic group to come under any newly formed name such as Yoruba, Benin has been in existence centuries before the word Yoruba came into existence.

Similarly, Ika is much older than the word Igbo, so if you wouldn't like to be call a yoruba, why do you think majority of Ika people wouldn't take offence when called Igbo. Mind you there are Edo people or some Benin people that wouldn't mind being called Yoruba just as there are Anioma/Ika people that identify with the Igbo identity , but these people are usually in the minorities and it's their right to identify with any ethnic groups they are comfortable with.

There is a post on Idu here on nairaland, the author said he is not Igbo, he is from Abia state, but his people were just classified as Igbo, if someone from Abia state can make such claims, why would you think Ika were originally Igbo.

To the average southerners, everyone in the North is Hausa/Fulani, to the average northerners, anyone in the south is either a yoruba or Igbo, to the average yoruba, you are either Hausa or Igbo.

To the average Igbo person, Benin is yoruba and the average yoruba sees Benin as Igbo.

Those of us interested in history should be more sensitive to the various ethnic groups in Nigeria and identify them the way they want to be identified. We daily fight those that call us yoruba and shouldn't be making the same mistake, Most Ikas don't identify as Igbo.

THE AKURE WAR OF AD 1818

After the success of the coup d’etat staged by Ezomo Erebor against the usurper, Prince Ogbebor, Erebors nephew, Prince Erediauwa returned from exile in Ewohimi in Ishan, and assumed his rightful office as Osemwende, the Oba of Benin.

As was customary, whenever a new Oba of Benin ascended the throne of his father, the Chalk of Good Tidings was sent to all the vassal potentates in the Benin Empire, informing them that a new Oba was on the throne in Benin City.

One of the ranking chiefs in the Iwebo Chancellery of the Palace, the Osague of Benin, was the Emissary entrusted with this Chalk of Good Tidings to the Akure monarch, the Deji of Akure. The name of the Deji was Arakale.
The day that the Osague presented the royal chalk at the palace of the Deji in Akure was suitably dressed as the benin chief of rank that he was, adorned with the ceremonial neck beads of the ikele, bead arm-lets and anklets, and the bead neck-choke of the odigba. He was thus regally resplendent, and his host, the Deji was filled with covetousness for these chiefly items of adornment.

Arakale accepted the Chalk of Good Tidings with joy, and prayed for the good health and longevity of the new Oba of Benin, and for peace and fruitfulness all over the Empire.

Later, in the Osague’s place of domicile, there at Akure, a little misunderstanding broke out between one of his wives he had travelled with to Akure, and a local tobacco seller, as narrated by J.U Egharevba in his “Short History of Benin”. It was suspected that Arakale himself had instigated the misunderstanding. The quarrel led to a fight, and the Osague came out from inside the house to lend some help to his wife. He was attacked and murdered in the fracas.
The Deji of Akure thereupon seized all the Osagues chiefly coral beads adornment.
News of the happenings in Akure reached Benin, that the Oba’s Emmisary had been murdered. The year was 1818.
War was thereupon declared upon Akure by Osemwende, and a punitive Expedition assembled for the task.

According to the fairly detailed account of the episode by J.U Egharevba three Benin war commanders, led by Erebor the Ezomo, were in charge of the Akure Expedition. The other two commanders were the Ologbosere and Imaran.
Let us quote Egharevba: “The Ezomo went by way of the Okearo approach to Akure. The Ologbosere by Okelisa, and the Imaran by Isikan and Isinkin. At Oke-Elegbin, a muile from Akure, Omonoyan, the captain of Artillery of the Ezomo’s troops, fired a canoon which ruined the house of the Deji, and the town was taken by assault”.

Compare the similar episode when the British Expeditionary Force, led by Admiral Harry Rawson, captured Benin City seventy nine years later, in February 1897. The cause of these two wars was similar: the killing of an Officer of the Government. This time around, it was the murder of James phillips, Head of the British Colonial Niger Coast Protectorate Government, by the Benin soldiery in Ugbine village on January 4, 1897, which was the immediate cause of the hostilities between Britain and Benin.

The cannon fired into Akure town by Omonoyan, a mile from Akure,
Helped in the capture of the town by the Benin troops, through the
demoralization of the Akure defenders – J. U. Egharevba.

Akure town was taken by assault. The ruler, Deji Arakale, successfully fled the fallen town. He sought refuge in Ado Ekiti, but was refused succor by the Ewi, the monarch of the town. So he went to Uju, and from there he went on to Uhen. The Uhen ruler, the Arinjale took him prisoner and returned him to the victorious Ezomo in Akure.

Of the three Commanders of the Benin army who undertook this campaign, only one, the Imaran, returned to Benin alive. The Ologbosere, on his return journey to Benin, died of natural causes, and was buried in Okemuen village, by the head-waters of the Orhionmwon river, near Ehor town. This was the same village where his descendant, Irabor, the Ologbosere of the “Benin Massacre” fame of 1897, successfully resisted the British occupation of the Benin territories for two and a half years after Benin fell, until he was wounded and captured there, in june 1899, by a full-fledged British Military Expedition named the “Benin Territories Expedition”, only a little less sophisticated in armament than the Expeditionary Force which had captured Benin City in February 1897.
Erebor the Ezomo, on the other hand, contracted Small Pox soon after he had achieved victory in the Akure war, and died before setting out to return to Benin City. J. U. Egharevba narrates that the Ezomo was then buried near Akure by his fellow War Chief, the Imaran, helped by Ezabayo, the Ezomo’s senior lieutenant. Ezabayo Street in Benin is named after this lieutenant.
But there is a famous Dirge, sung in the Ezomo’s palace by the Harem-women of Uzebu. The Dirge, or Ballad, tells the story of this 1818 Akure War led by Ezomo Erebor. The Ballad, sings about the War, and narrates that the remains of the Ezomo were returned to Benin for burial. Probably it was only an important part of the corpse, like the Head, which was returned to Benin for Burial.

UHUNMWUN EKPEN II WI Y’OHA
“The head of the leopard is never left abandoned in the jungle!”

Excerpt from “EREDIAUWA: Prince of Benin” by Aisien Ekhaguosa

Compiled by Imasuen Amowie Izoduwa

As can been seen from the treaty, the Alaafin has always been the king and head of the yoruba people. The Ooni was politically elevated in the 1900s.

Isusugbaghada:


Isusugbaghada was one of the magician that lived and worked for Oba Ewuare the great just like the great Esan magician Okpota

Isusugbaghada was a very powerful man who worship the deity Okhuaihe and at this period there nothing like Oba n ikhuen as the title was created by Oba Ewuare

Reason..

As it's known in old Benin, when an individual becomes too powerful he will be restricted from seeing the Oba for security reason

2) the title Was to thank him for service rendered

Till today the Oba of Benin and the Oba n ikhuen only see each other once in their life time ( ie the Oba most visit the palace of the Oba n ikhuen ) before ascending the throne for fortification purpose and after that they are not permited to see again in order to follow the existing principle set by Oba Ewuare

This current Oba also did it and previous Oba also did it that's when you will hear people saying that will be visiting Evekoi today

Evekoi as a word actually means "deep secret or strong words" and the Oba of ikhuen is an Oba with function only to the Oba of Benin

If not for these today's society, there are individuals that are not permitted to just enter Benin like that eg
Oba n ikhuen
Ohen olokun urhonigbe
Ohen ukoni
Ohen olokun ughoton Asonmwenriri


I greet you bro

I already commented before I saw this. You are on point.

Benin history is so exciting when the researches are done by Benin themselves.

I was also looking at the reasons why the Iyoba or Queen mother palaces were traditionally stationed in lower Uselu outside of the old Benin city proper, I believe someone did a research on the old addresses of Iyoba Palaces along the Uselu Lagos Road. While most of these Iyoba palaces no longer existed, the traditional council should erect plaques with brief inscriptions in these locations.

The Iyobas were also allowed to have her own chiefs.

We are drag here and spend so much time debunking lies about our history instead of writing our own.

Nice one, it's about time the Benin start to write their history. Another nail in the coffin of those that keep claiming that the oba of Benin is yoruba. The Benin culture and monarchical system is very unique and uncomparable to none in Nigeria, although there are several imitations.

Name of crown princes are also carefully selected.

I believe there are actually three other traditional personalities that are forbidden to enter the city of Benin after coronation of an Oba.

macof:

samuk you are not bright
that screenshot was not evidence that any guinness book of records mentioned the wall of benin. I posted the screenshot to show you that it is a popular claim that the wall of benin is mentioned by the 1974 Guinness book of records as the largest earthworks prior to the mechanical era. but the claim is a lie, as i have the 1974 edition of the Guinness book of records and there is nothing about benin or any such category as "largest earthworks prior to the mechanical era"
i expect you to show me evidence that the guinness book of records mentioned the wall of benin but you cannot because there is no such guiness book of records. It is just another Bini lie

this has nothing to do with my conversation with you, stick to the claims you made here


please show me the form of evidence presented for Obaseki being of Anioma origin that doesn't exist for Oba of benin being of Ife origin

One of the uniqueness of Benin is that it's built around family structures.

The families makeup in the old Benin empire was very well structured. They all have their individual morning greetings. This morning greetings served as identification for each of the families, the names of the various families can be deduced from the greetings. These greetings also carries other vital information about the families such as the village/Town/area/quarters of Benin they came from or once controlled in the old Benin empire, the greetings also carries any significant historical achievements by the family, like those that were known for killing elephant, etc, this is why Benin family greetings usually take long between greetings and the responses because of the bit of history being told especially by elders that know Benin history, this is one of the ways various family history were preserved. So we are very clear were every family comes from.

The oba family morning greetings is Lamogun to which the response will be Umogun Oza, amongst others, signifying that the family was originally from Oza not Ife. The names of Benin crown princes are carefully chosen, the name of the current crown prince is Ezelekhae, does this sound yoruba to you?

The average Benin person doesn't care were the oba family came from originally, the problem is lack of evidence to support Ife. Most established families in Benin came from various places, there are well established families of yoruba origin, Igbo origin, Ijaw origin, Anioma Origin, Orhobo origin, etc. Tribalism is not an issue in Benin but the content of your character. If we don't have issues with Obaseki coming from Anioma what makes you think we will have issues with oba coming from Ife, but you have to prove it. The Benin empire was far more than present day Benin.

Agho Obaseki family history is relatively recent being that the man lived and served during the reign of oba Ovonramwen and he died about 122 years ago, their family history is not 800 years history shrouded in myths.

Those whose ancestors were dumped here by the British after the end of slave trade, will not understand or appreciate the nature of Benin family greetings as I have just explained.

The Benin are not the ones that made the claim that the Benin moat was the largest man made structure on earth before the mechanical era, they couldn't have made such calculations or know about other similar structures on earth. It was European experts who made the claim. This is a fact that even feature in European television quiz programmes as presented below.

As for the actual year it entered the Guinness book of records, you can send them a written request for clarification or confirmation.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY_7TFiZ8Sk

macof:
how do you know there is no record of him having more children in Ife?
how much of Ife history have you studied? can you name some of your trusted sources and informants? you can say you are too ignorant to know any more of his children not that there are no records.

lol. how is the ooni junior to the oba of benin when the first oba of benin is a son of the 3rd Ooni of Ife and grandson of the 1st Ooni?
are you aware that Ginuwa - First Olu of warri was the first son of Oba Olua? So are you saying the Oba of benin after Olua are junior to the Olu of warri because the first son lineage of an early oba traces to the Olu of warri?

also please don't chnage the topic, provide evidence of the wall of benin being the largest earthworks according to the guiness book of records. I see you are trying to derail

You are asking me to provide the evidence which you agree is all over the internet which you even provided a snapshot.

Again, Benin have nothing to do with Ife, there are no historical records to back such relationship existed before 1897.

The Oba of Benin belongs to one of the numerous families that ruled the land from prehistoric times. The oba was just first amongst equal before power was concentrated in the hands of the Umogun Oza family which is the family of the oba of Benin, but not without a fight from other families of which the most notable is the ogiamien family. Nobody came from Ife.

Unless you want to tell us the meaning of the name of the oba family and other related titles in yoruba.

Please tell us the yoruba meanings of:

1. Umogun
2. Uku
3. Oza

Mind you, Oza nogogo speaks a variant of the Edo language similar to Ika language, you can see why the Oba of Benin have more chances of being Igbo than Yoruba.

Blame you sister TAO11 for damaging the Benin/Ife fairytale. I warned her with the way she was going about it, today, no one is convinced. Even you and her are completely deflated and now have your doubts .

macof:


Lol. and what makes you think there are no ruling houses in Ife that are solely paternal? what makes you think the female alaafin ever had any of her descendants become alaafin after her?
there is no basis for this your conclusion

you did not mention the edition but the claim is a popular claim and the edition credited as the source of that claim is the 1974 Guinness book of records
which i have digital access to. Please do well to provide evidence of any edition of the guinness book of records stating the walls of benin are the "largest earthworks prior to the mechanical era"

here is just one article, there are numerous of such articles on the internet, i'm sure you have read some of them
https://thisisafrica.me/politics-and-society/african-marvels-the-walls-of-benin/

Whilst I am not in the mood to start debating the Oduduwa fairytale with you, but as the story goes, Oranmiyan was supposed to have come to Benin and gave birth to the oba of Benin and then moved to Oyo and gave birth to the Alaafin of Oyo, there is no record of him having more children in Ife, the Ooni was just the chief priest that took care of the gods and shrines in Ife. Even if Oranmiyan have had other children after he left Benin and Oyo, these children would have been juniors to both the Oba of Benin and Alaafin of Oyo.

The oyo throne have been occupied by women obas which makes the oba of Benin the authentic bloodline back to Oranmiyan.

Before you start to get excited, we all know that the Oduduwa story is a myth with no historical foundations.

macof:


You guys making me laugh seriously

Same benin that up until Ohuan brothers succeeded each other until the youngest brother? And from Ohuan, who died without an heir other branches of the royal family (cousins, nephews etc) produced the king until Ewuakpe??
Is it this benin you are talking about?

Interesting how you didn’t need eye witness historical evidence for Obaseki having Anioma origin
Aint that double standard


The claim that the benin wall was “the world's largest earthworks carried out prior to the mechanical era” is a popular one… but the fact that dismantles this claim is that the 1974 Guinness book of records, which is claimed to be the source of this information never had such a category
I have a digital copy of the 1974 book… neither “wall of benin” is mentioned nor any category like “largest earthworks”

And if any edition of the Guinness records ever had a legitimate entry, it wouldn’t be taken out even in subsequent future editions until the record gets broken

Bini miscreants will believe anything as long as it massages your fragile ethnic ego

No one can become an oba in Benin without being a Prince carrying the blood of an oba, women are not allowed. In yoruba land, women have been obas in the past with their children becoming contestants to the thrones.

If Oduduwa existed, the Oba of Benin remains the only authentic bloodline back to Oranmiyan.

The extent of the Benin wall or moat is world acknowledged. As for you having a copy of the 1974 Guinness book of world records, you all always claim to always have copies of various books but when challenged for evidence, you retort to insults. It's a well known tactics by you guys. Besides I never mentioned the edition of the Guinness book of records in my post you responded to.

After over 300 years of slavery when Europeans and Americans were made to believe that the black man was nothing more than an animal who lack creativity, the exhibition of the Benin Bronzes in London in 1897 was the first time for over 300 years of slavery that the white man knew that the blacks were more than commodities to be traded like goods and animals.

The Benin Bronzes showed to the world that the black man was capable of great creativity and greatness, is the current Nigeria being ruled by Hausa/Fulani/Yoruba showing the world that we are capable of greatness?

Where was Benin empire in the 16th,17th and 18th centuries compared to the most advanced societies of the world. Where is Nigeria today compared to most advanced societies of the world.

Europeans have been visiting Africa long before they arrived Benin in the 1400s, but Benin was only one of two or three places they could called a city in th whole of Africa and the only one in west Africa. Benin was already acclaimed a city 600 years ago.

Show me where Nigeria is in the world today.

UGBE634:
What they don't understand is that the Igbos have more claim to this stool than even the Yorubas, that is what I have told them that the changes is holistic and it is because of her neighbours not because of one nigga coming from Ife, there is Igbo sounding names in far away Orhiowmon, there is Igbo sounding quarters in Benin city, and there is also Igbo sounding word even in the Oba of Benin's title. Even my Enogie' Ugo that is 82 kilometres away from Benin city feature the same traditional title as the Obi of Onitsha traditional title

I completely understand the political angle of why the oba of Benin subscribed to the Benin/Ife story, it makes the oba of Benin the only direct heir to Oduduwa.

All other yoruba thrones can't make the same claim because yoruba traditions claimed that women served as Obas on these thrones at various times and most yoruba thrones are selected from ruling houses, they do not adhere to the strict requirement of father to first son as it is in Benin, so if Oduduwa existed, the Oba of Benin is the only direct heir.

Since millions of yoruba sees Oduduwa as their progenitor, the Oba of Benin with an unbroken line of successions since Oranmiyan is their most authentic representative of Oduduwa bloodline.

When you view Oduduwa story from this political angle, it's not so bad, but we must also know our history.

Benin/Ife connection is mostly political. If Igbo researchers and historians were to research Benin oral history, they will be shocked by their findings. This is why I don't doubt the claims of migrating from Benin by various communities in Igbo land.

The Igbo angle in Benin history is very suppressed in favour of the Benin/yoruba political relationship and yoruba academics were the first to start writing and appropriating Benin history to themselves.

Some people view history from a supremacy perspective rather than looking at the evidence. If there are historic evidence that linked Benin to Ife most of us wouldn't have any issues with it. Like you said, the Obaseki family is a well established Edo family despite their great grandfather coming from the Anioma part of Old Benin empire, there are other similar families in Benin. We don't have any problems with this, but what we will not take or tolerate is lack of evidence to support claims being made.

The old Benin empire was built by talents from all over the place, the Benin administrators were very smart people who always seek and invite talented people into the city to help with empire building. Nigeria controlled by the so call majority tribes is yet to archive what the old Benin empire archived.

Under the old Benin empire, they created a monument that was once adjudged the largest man made structure on earth by the Guinness book of world records, the empire artistic creation is still a marvel of the world and perhaps the largest collection of Africa artefacts in Western museums, only comparable to ancient Egypt.

Nigeria has not made similar impact in the world because tribalism rather than talent and excellence is more important to the major ethnic tribes.

UGBE634:

1. those inevitable changes are there because of her neighbours and the changes in this sense is holistic.
2.that the Edo majority on ground completely assimilated whatever migrations we received.
3. it is not about your emotions now, it is about what is right
4.it is also for a fact that the migrations we received were holistic, the ones from Anioma were Even more than the ones we received from the yoruboid groups
5. that you should know that whatever yoruboid trait you observe in Bini city is The same in other Edo towns around for it is the mudafucking the same thing( this explanation is making me sound senile because it is not the way we see ourselves save for deranged yorubas,
that whatever migrations she got is inevitable and holistic and is so inconsequential to qualify her as mixed. we got even more from Anioma areas and yet Bini is so different from Yoruba and Igbo. Take for example, Ogbe where the Oba's base is a word we share with the Igbos, (maybe borrowed from them) The Uku in the Oba's title means great-a word we share with the Igbos and maybe even borrowed from them.

The Lavbieze title was created because of the first Igbo Iyase we had in the 16th century from Onicha Olona, we have The Obaseki family of Igbo descendants in Bini.we have several others, though there are other families who greet it too but it was created mainly because of the the Iyase from Onicha Olona

That it was founded on Benin and Yoruba ancestry is debatable, it is not certain at all, The word Ubini is an ancient Edo word for beautiful people

Igbo sounding names features more prominently in Benin ora history compared to Yoruba except for eastern yoruba of Ekiti, Owo, etc.

Anyone familiar with Benin oral history about the great wrestling contests in ancient times would have noticed the Igbo sounding names of some of the great wrestlers from Ugo, Isi, urhonigbe and other towns in Orhionwon.

The question is whether these names were ancient Edo names which those that migrated from Benin during various times took with them to the east or these were Igbo people that migrated to Benin in ancient times.

Yoruba that make so much noise have less mention in Benin ancient oral history and traditions compared to those with Igbo sounding names.

Maybe the yoruba should tell us if these names sounds yoruba:

1. Iken
2. Ugo
3. Udo
3. Izu
4. Eken
5. Uku
6. Oka
7. Okoro
8. Eze
9. Ukor
10. Agboghidi (traditional title of Obi of Onitsha)

Agboghidi was also the traditional title of the Enogie of Ugo in Orhionwon in ancient times.

Etc.

macof:

lmao
simple question the op asked.. who has more political influence?. Nothing in this long rant filled with so much inaccuracies addresses "political influence"

The Ooni is a politically appointed chief priest AKA spiritual leader for few yoruba people who are neither Muslim or Christians. That's all he is. The position didn't exist before 1824.

There are no bases for comparison between the Oba of Benin and the Ooni. It's that simple. One is a political appointee whilst the other is the true king.

Tinubu who is another south West politician has more influence than most, if not all yoruba obas but Tinubu is not an oba, Tinubu will still have to show respect to these obas just the way the Ooni will show respect to the oba of Benin.

1. Ooni position is a political position which is open to be contested by numerous so called princes and it always goes to the contestant with greatest political godfather or highest bidder.

2. The people don't currently know who will be the next Ooni until the demise of the current one and the position opens up for contestation.

3. Ooni is akin to a political spiritual leader of the yoruba which is selected to mediate between the yoruba people and their gods.

4. The Ooni is nothing more than yoruba politically appointed chief priest.

King's, monarchy are born, not politically appointed by politicians.

Benin monarch can only be compared to the British monarchy.

Benin monarchy, like the British monarchy, the heirs to both thrones are known from birth. Their birth are always announced to the people with pop and pageantry.

Benin monarchy can only be compared to the British monarchy and other similarly established world monarchies.

There are no bases to compare the Oba of Benin to the Ooni, they are not in the same class.

The Oba of Benin is a born king, the Ooni is an appointed political chief priest of his people.

The Ooni and Ife is a Nigeria local affairs whilst Benin and Oba of Benin is a world affairs.

There are over 7000 Benin Bronzes all over museums across the world that daily teach the world the history of Benin.

Millions of people of all races across the world daily lean about the great Benin empire from over 7000 Benin artefacts serving as Benin ambassadors in their various locations across the world.

Just go online and see the world coverage on the return of the Benin Bronzes in just the last one year and tell me any other Africa king with similar world media exposure and coverage.

The Oba of Benin and Ooni are not in the same class, the Oba of Benin is a historically recognised world class king since the 1400s while the Ooni is a yoruba politically created spiritual leader/chief priest since the 1800s.

It's an insult to the Benin throne to compare it to the Ooni or any other throne in Nigeria.

Historically, the Oba of Benin is more than 400 years older than the Ooni who has no mention in any historic book until the 1800s. The eyewitness historical verifiable accounts of Benin and Oba of Benin dates back to the 1400s, mind you the monarchy was already well established before the 1400s, but the 1400s was when eyewitness written accounts began.

No matter the greatness of America, it will always be under Britain historically.

No matter the greatness of yoruba, it will always be under Benin historically. The realisation of this bitter truth is whilst some yoruba have been trying to appropriate Benin history and Oba of Benin as yoruba since the late 1800s.

Within the south West, the verifiable eyewitness history of Benin controlled Lagos is over 200 years older than verifiable eyewitness historical accounts of Ife.

The verifiable eyewitness historical accounts of Benin established warri monarchy is centuries older than that of Ife.

ThickSharon123:


That's a lie from hell .... No true patriotic Igbos would do that, maybe is the self ehtinic Igbotic tribes in the south South. But as for the south east Igbo zones, we all want Biafra, and do you know why, dear?

We have the same idealogy for prosperity and equality and where these are in place in a nation the nation thrives.

Look at the United States, they had the same idealogy which made them prosperous.

BRiton likewise.
France
Germany
And all other countries.
But the Roman empire got destroyed becuase of several ethnic tribes in one conglomeration, so if we are still together with other tribes as you, we would still be going on the same cycle, which makes Africa backward.

Perhaps, when we are emotionally intelligent to let go of our egos, then we would be talking about being together in Africa, but in this state it can not happen and no Igbo has and would never claim to be in Nigeria.

I love Igbos .... without my mom being Igbo, I would never have been bold, beautiful and intelligent, this is the reason I adore and would fight for them any day.

Are you aware that the British at Nigeria independence left something akin to three confederation within Nigeria, mid-west people had already negotiated their exit from the west, which they actualized in 1963.

So by 1960, the Igbos controlled crude oil rich eastern Nigeria with capital city in Enugu was several times bigger than the Biafra they are now agitating for, how did the Igbos lose their elephant share of the nation and are now fighting and begging for chicken.

Read Nigeria history of what happened between 15th January 1966 to June 1966 to find out how the Igbos shot themselves in the foot and lost their elephant share of the nation, autonomy and political influence and power.

How can people who controlled the presidency, army, Senate, most ministries, the economy lost so much within a six months period of misadventures and are now reduced to political neophyte that are now begging for a fraction of what they used to controlled.

Contrary to the misinformation that the British left Nigeria to Hausa/Fulani, it was the Igbos that were in control but they throw it away by turning Nigeria into a unitary system which they taught would be to their advantage, but it's the Hausa/Fulani that took advantage of Ironsi unitary system.

Igbo should start suggesting ways to make Nigeria work for everyone, leaving Nigeria is not going to happen because the forces against Biafra from within the Igbos and the rest of Nigeria is too great for it to be actualized.

Long before the Fulani jihad started in northern Nigeria, down south through the middle belt, Benin Obas have personally stopped leading armies into wars for reasons I am not going to mention here. After this, all wars that Benin was involved in were fought by chiefs and Enigie who had standing armies who served at his majesty pleasure.

A great number of Esan served in Benin military and the general, chief Ezomo of Benin is said to be of Esan descent.

Esan people repelling off the Fulani jihadist would have been a natural thing for them to do, not necessarily waiting for instructions from Benin to protect their end of the Benin empire, just as the commanders and Benin army stationed in Lagos garrison in 1602 wouldn't have waited for instructions from Benin before fending off external aggression in Lagos and it's environments.

When the Lagos garrison sort the help of the Dutch ship to help bombard another Benin fortified garrison with cannons in 1602 because they rebelled against Benin, the Lagos commanders didn't wait for instructions from Benin.

Benin had military garrisons with stationed and residence armies at different strategic locations throughout the empire. These armies do what is necessary and report back to Benin.

Esan are descendants of Benin, so it makes no difference.

There is a statue of great Esan military general Eboghimwin in King's Square Benin City. Most Benin queens were from the Esan part of the empire.

There is no difference between Benin and Esan. Only an ignorant or mischievous person would think there is.

As far as the Benin empire was concerned, everything or actions were done or taken in the names of the various Obas by their subjects.

Except for few, the names of most individuals that played several roles are forgotten but the names of the Obas they served are remembered. Anything any individual or Edo subgroup did is or are recorded under the era of an Oba, in Benin history you can't separate the Oba from the people.

KingOKON:
.

That self acclaim professor from Osun abi na Ekiti state, has he/she gone blind deaf and dumb

Her life depends on oba of Benin being yoruba. How can any sane person look at the names of past Obas of Benin and still claim they were Yoruba who spoke Yoruba language at the Benin Palace till 1937.

So they were speaking Yoruba at the Benin Palace but forbid � Yoruba names. Meanwhile oba of Benin supposed siblings, the Alaafin of Oyo, all had Yoruba names, other supposed relatives such as the Ooni also had Yoruba names.

Those that created the Benin/Ife fairytale never thought it would be scrutinised in the future, if they had knew, they would have probably changed the first few names of obas of Benin to Yoruba or Yoruba sounding names.

Take a look at the monarchs from Olu of warri(Ogiamen) to Obi of Onitsha(Agboghidi) that have Benin connections, you can see Benin influenced names in either their traditional titles or chieftaincy titles.

KingOKON:
.

What the sons of Dan Fodio did to them
is why they are beating their empty chest here

I am still waiting for them to tell us the yoruba meanings of the names of past obas of Benin below, since they are claiming that oba of Benin is yoruba.

Eweka I
Uwuakhuahen
Henmihen
Ewedo
Oguola
Edoni
Udagbedo
Ohen
Egbeka
Orobiru
Uwaifiokun
Ewuare I
Ezoti
Olua
Ozolua
Esigie
Orhogbua
Ehengbuda
Ohuan
Ohenzae
Akenkpaye
Akengbedo
Ore-Oghene
Ewuakpe
Ozuere
Akenzua I
Eresoyen
Akengbuda
Obanosa
Ogbebo
Osemwende

Ife is only found in the revision garbage story that was written by returnee slaves between 1897 to 1970.

Yoruba eyewitness history began in 1824 and yet they are telling the world that they are experts in Benin history whose eyewitness historical accounts began in the 1400s.

Benin history documented by eyewitnesses between 1400s to 1897 made no mention of Ife.

Between 1400s to 1897, Ife, Oduduwa and Oranmiyan are not mentioned in Benin history. Ife, Oduduwa and Oranmiyan are only found in the revision version of Benin history that started in 1897.

Benin history is now broken into two parts.

1. Authentic verifiable eyewitness sources, 1400s to 1897.
Writers/authors: European eyewitnesses to the events they documented.

2. Revision unverifiable fairytales, 1897 (end of Benin empire/kingdom) to 1970.
Writers/authors: Yorubas, people under Yoruba influence and other collaborators who simply wrote fairytales that they never witnessed.

Abohboy:


So Ijebu land isn't internal?

Help yourself with a Google map to know the difference, besides Yoruba history revolves around Oyo and later Ife. The Awujale of Ijebu claims his Ijebu people migrated from Sudan.

Abohboy:


The Portugese and Dutch quite literally came into contact with the Ijebu and traded with them as far back the 1500s so your claim of no Yoruba having contact with Europeans till the 1800s is wrong you can try all you want but the history of Oduduwa comes from the Odu Ifa which cannot be corrupted the stories of the Odu Ifa have been the same since the dawn of time

Go back and read what I wrote again, I said the first time the Europeans visited the hinterland of Yoruba was 1824.

Edeyoung:


Yea this is a well researched carried out, not the baldman down here pointing fingers and calling people traitors because they decide to speak the undiluted truth that point fingers to the palace on their wrong doings

I don't usually like to get involved when compatriots start having a dig at each others in other not to be seen as taking sides.

However, let me point out few things.

1. Was there alliance between Oba Eweka 11, the Alaafin of Oyo and Ooni of Ife after the death of Oba Ovonramwen? I believe there was.

2. Was there any such connection before 1897? I can't find evidence to support any connection between Ooni and Benin but there was evidence of Oba of Benin and Alaafin of Oyo alliance.

3. Does your submission that claims that Oba Eweka 11 used to pray for himself, Ooni and Alaafin in the morning mean that he sees (Ooni and Alaafin) as superior? I don't think so, praying for people or other traditional rulers you are in alliance with doesn't mean they are superior to you.

4. The very fact that both the Benin Palace after 1897 and the Ooni subscribe to the Oduduwa story is enough evidence of an alliance between them in colonial times for mutual political gains, there is other evidence that I wouldn't like to disclose here.

5. There are no mentions of Ife, Oduduwa and Oranmiyan in Benin history pre-1897.

Abohboy:


They were first written down in 1824 including the stories before Awolowo and his father was born so you're wrong continue trying to create false history

Just incase you got the 1824 date from my writeup, let me clarify some points.

1824 was when the first Europeans visited the hinterland of Yoruba (Oyo) and started gathering first hand historical accounts of the Yoruba people.

Around this same time the Europeans also visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Bello, Sultan Bello had documented that the Yorubas migrated from the middle east (Mecca).

The Europeans that were in Oyo (the lander Brothers and co) collected a different tradition from that of Sultan Bello.

In both accounts, Oduduwa wasn't mentioned.

Oduduwa was a myth in some Yoruba traditions until some returnee slaves such as Samuel Johnson started writing the history of the Yoruba.

Samuel Johnson in 1897 built his Yoruba middle east origin on Sultan Bello's 1822-1824 narrative but unlike Sultan Bello that claimed that the Yorubas migrated from Mecca, Samuel Johnson argued in the direction of Egypt because he said there were no records of Oduduwa in the history of Mecca.

This is how a mythical Oduduwa was transformed into the Moses that led his Yoruba people from the middle east to their current location in Nigeria. Some Igbos did the same by tracing themselves back to Israel.

The Oduduwa story was built on Sultan Bello's 1824 unsubstantiated narrative.

What some of you propagate as history are mostly layers of lies told over time by different people and Yoruba history is full of these kind of narratives, they try to get away with it by telling you they were scholarly works by experts.

The so called experts need materials to work with and in most cases these materials are lies told over time and at the end the experts and professionals just help to further the lies to advance their careers.

The only true history are the ones documented by eyewitnesses who happened to witness what they wrote down. This is why Benin has no rival and a reference point.

Benin is the only significant kingdom/empire in Nigeria with such eyewitness historical accounts dating back to the 1400s, Yoruba eyewitness historical accounts started in 1824, the story of Oduduwa was created much later.

toregunjoelz:
While all this endless debates of binis and yorubas is dragging,d north re busy ruling you guys like an inexperienced driver,you all better channel your energy towards electing good leaders come 2023

Nigeria has been on a reverse gear since the coup d'état on 15 January 1966. It will be very difficult to change the political system that was created after the coup, the problem is not who is ruling, there are more poverty and illiteracy in the North compared yo South.

The political system is the problem, it will be suicidal for anyone that attempts to change it, just as it cost the life of the person that gave us the current system.

OGUN622:
first there is nothing like "Ogiamen language" it is Edo language since Ogiamen speak the language the other seventy three families speak,

And also you never thanked me on the Iyase lecture I gave you, or maybe give a rebutall and provide the proof I asked

And also you never answered my question what you meant by central language and if Benin city's tongue is different from other Edo clans, I would like you to answer those ones before.

And what words you think were borrowed, let's begin to check and see which one was borrowed or which was not I would like you to answer those ones before we can continue

That one nigga (a Yoruba)has done justice to one topic, by whose judgement? You?

Ogiso of course is not a myth,(we have their descendants in Bini,they greet delaiso,the Ogisos were weak rulers which thier rulership evolved from within, all the over thirty Ogisos were Edos. What I meant is that the Oba's emergence from the Ogiso line and the counter story of Oranmiyan coming from Ife is the myth. Oba is a pure Edo man from Oza. Ovbi'umogun'Oza-that is what the Oba's descendants is called when he greet his morning greetings- child of the Owner of Ogun from Oza

Ogun my nigga is Edo, just as it is Yoruba, the worship pattern is not the same. The Binis have been Ironsmith from time immemorial, that is how the worship of Iron began. Iron is Ogun in Edo-Singular. While Igun means Irons(plural) Iron.(we don't erect an altar for Esu in Edo and we don't worship Esu which you guys call the trickster. Or do you have any proof it was borrowed

Olokun is also Edo-Olokun means the Owner of the sea, the Edos have access to the water through Ughoton and Urhonigbe-Ethiope river These are Gods worshipped by all Edo clans.

Orunmila, Aiyelala, and others I can confidently say was borrowed but they are worshipped by some few sects in Benin, unlike those ones which are general gods worshipped by all Edos

Ekiophagha treaty has nothing to do with aborigine whatsoever, there are more complex "fight" within outside the Ekiophagha treaty that the Oba embark upon before Ascending the throne. He goes to Udo, Urhonigbe, Use, Egor, Uselu and the river Okwahe. The Ekiophagha is just one of those rites.

Nice one, but would they learn. Benin is just too deep, well established and complex for any tribe to try still her history. Well done.

Abohboy:


Tao11 provided dozens of sources if you simply bothered to read you'd find what you're looking for this is purposeful ignorance and i'm not going to entertain anyone who doesn't bother to do their own research

Can you now see the problems with some of you guys, you come here to write fiction, when you are challenged to supply supporting evidence, you will claim it has been presented before, what is the problem of simply reposting the evidence.

You are happy to repeat your lies but not happy to repost your supposed evidence when challenged to do so.

You can't make a claim that is strange to me and when I request for evidence, you can't be bothered and ask me to go and do my own research if I am not ready to believe whatever it is you have claimed.

It's like me claiming to Ghanaians that Nigeria used to produce planes and when challenged to provide evidence, I will ask the them to go and research it for themselves.

If you go to court to make a claim, you are required to supply support evidences to back up your claims.

This is a court of public opinion. The only reason must of you run away from backing up your claims with evidence when requested to do so is because you know you are telling lies.