AutomaticMotors:





This fact funny ooo but tragically true!! Them dey try thief Benin/Edo History while fulani don thief their soul already

AreaFada2

Very tragic 😥

scholes0:


Wrong. The people of Yorubaland were not CONTINIOUSLY at war. The decline of Oyo in the 19th century led to a huge power vacuum that various Yoruba kingdoms were jostling to replace, amongst them; ibadan, Ijaye, Abeokuta, Owu and the rest which were the aspiring new powers, and that was the period of incessant warfare. Before then, there wasn't any more frequency of warfare in the region than anywhere else or any other group of people in the general southeastern west African region they were situated in.

Ife was never chosen as the epicentre of any migration myth. There were actually dynastic migrations of rulers and in some cases commoners from Ife of old. You think it is easy to cook a non existent chapter into the history of Millions including their Orikis just like that?

Let me tell you, before there was anything called 'Western region', Otu Ife had always occupied a sacred place in Yoruba historiography.

The people of the Benue valley share something similar to the old confederation of Kororofa based in Wukari, although not 100% the same. The northern Igbos have it with Nri, and so many Edoid groups have it with Igodomigodo or Benin. It is't exactly a new thing in West Africa or even the world. Maybe those were cooked up too.

Are you saying every Tom, Dick and Harry claiming migration from Ife today, did so in the past? Whilst Ife keep the migration stories going, the oba of Benin is keeping the Oduduwa story going by his annual Ugie Oduduwa. I am not sure what the role of the Alaafin is now in the arrangement. I know he gives out some specific chieftaincy titles in yoruba land.

With the way yoruba people and oba are embracing foreign religions such as Christianity and Islam, the role of the Ooni is daily diminishing as well.

At the end, it seems only the Oba of Benin end of the stick will endure well into the future. The Sultan have far more yoruba people under his spiritual leadership than the Ooni. Left for you guys, you would have probably sold Oduduwa and Oranmiyan to the Hausa/Fulani in a few centuries.

scholes0:


Lmao... I am looking forward the next story that you will spin to explain away the Oduduwa mask used in the Oduduwa ritual that was part of the commemorative art carted away from Benin after the expedition.

Let me break it down for you.

There was once a western region in Nigeria which comprises the following gladiators.

1. Oba of Benin with centuries old documented history by the Europeans

2. The Alaafin of Oyo which the British met on ground as king of yoruba people in 1824.

3. The Ooni which the yoruba people regarded as their spiritual leader.

Unification of the region:

The people of this former western region were continously at war with each other until the British brought law and order in order to colonised the country.

A story was concocted to unite these people under one umbrella. Ife was chosen to be the epicentre of a migration myth. The Oba of Benin contributed his centuries old history which Ife lacked and in return, he inherit or became the heir to Oduduwa fictitious dynasty. The Alaafin became second heir to the dynasty while Ooni whose domain was already chosen as the migration Centre got the least position of chief priest or spiritual leader.

This plot unravel when Awolowo introduced tribalism into this arrangements by helping to elevate the Ooni above his assigned position. The Oba of Benin (Akenzua) worked out of the arrangements in protest and demanded for his own mid West Region, which he got in 1963. The Alaafin and the Ooni were left in the western region to fight it out amongst themselves.

The oba if Benin left with his entitled, heir to Oduduwa dynasty intact, he now celebrates the annual Oduduwa festival to keep it alive, the Alaafin seems to have gotten the shot end of the stick.

scholes0:


Shey you dey whine me ni?
What is all these pseudo-history flying around here?

He is right, UGBE634 already presented a screen shot of Benin dictionary said to have been written in 1930s, it's there, scroll backwards to see it.

scholes0:


Sam, It is not new o.

Oduduwa festival has always been a part of a series of festivities in Benin known as the Ague-Oghene. which was meant to celebrate the Oba's paternal ancestors. The only difference was that back then it was all compartmentalized and condensed together.
It is pre 1897.

Oba Eresonyen de-compartmentalized it and started celebrating Ugie Oduduwa separetely.

There was nothing like Oduduwa in Benin history pre-1897 and Oba Eresonyen predates 1897. Alot was changed in Benin history to accommodate the new Oduduwa polical history after 1897. Why was it ague Oghene in the past according to you and then changed to ugie Oduduwa after 1897?

Ife, Oduduwa and Oranmiyan didn't appear in Benin history pre-1896. There is no where in Benin history those names existed before 1897.

Thebadpolitican:



You're not edo and you can things missed up

First thing first surrender to the fact benin owns the word ogie and the other coinage are merely tribal corruption


First you have to note the Oba install enogie, he didn't install kings in delta as Ovie, probably its a corruption of the word enogie that happened over time

Again not all title the Oba gives is related to the word ogie and not all dukes are named enogie even in benin, the title of oba of Lagos giving by the Oba of benin is called eleko of Eko, the title giving by the Oba of benin to the owo king in ondo state is called osemawe of owo,
Naming depended on the particular oba of benin on the throne during the naming. In a general statement all the royalty that is not the Oba himself would be called enogie by the palace, the name oba is only unique to the head just like president

The title oba is a short form it is called omo no oba, the white people shortened it, no elderly one in benin would call the Oba of benin oba without putting omo no' ba which means ( the child that shines for the edo people) that is the title are not just oba which is a short form

You are very correct with the meaning.

scholes0:


When you say it is new, How 'new' do you consider to be too new to be discarded?
I want to know your time frame.

I believe the annual Oduduwa celebration actually started with the current oba few years ago. I can't remember his father Erediawa 2 celebrating it annually. I also believe the other praise name came in during Erediawa or slightly earlier. None of these existed during Oba Ovonramwen.

Ofunwa111:









It's really been an interesting read so far. This topic always lives up to it's expectations 😂😂. To think it's been more back and forth from the Edo men themselves with little or no interference from the Omo Odua makes it more fascinating.. I am still waiting for French baldie to come in 😂😧😂, then lastly how it might likely round up with the Anioma people;
I know RedBonesmith is ever ready for y'all on that one though.. Once again, it's been worth the time, keep it up!

RedboneSmith was already here, he got a bloody nose and ran away. He may just come back swigging after reading this my reply. Let me go and look for body armour for protection.

scholes0:
Samuk what is the meaning of Ovbi Adimila which is a prominent praise epithet of the Omonoba?

That was added lately, also the annual celebration of Oduduwa by the palace is also new. Benin have two historical timeline, pre-1897 authentic history and post-1897 polical history that puts the oba of Benin at the heart and centre of yoruba monarchs.

Don't forget that the most important people in yoruba land are Oduduwa, Oranmiyan, Oba of Benin as first heir, the Alaafin of Oyo as second heir and the Ooni as the spiritual leader or chief priest.

What we have been focusing on here is the authentic history not the political arrangements.

AreaFada2:

Samuk, it would be improper for me to disclose private discussion with these personages in Eastern Yorubaland. How NL commentators believe the could possibly know more than the custodians is baffling to me. It goes beyond what is bolded above. I have nothing to gain by putting one side above the other. If anything, I even have much easier access on SW side.

Now regarding argument over Ogie, Enogie, etc between Efewestern and others, the example of Ogiame of Itsekhiri is enough to settle it.
Iginuwa was sent as "Ogie Amen". That Ogie meaning is not different in origin to what other Edoid tribes have.

Ogie means Lord. As in one ruling over an area. In Benin view and purpose, it was not meant to be King in stature.

Of course, since the Ogie or Ovie is the ruler now in charge and with increased independence, exercising the power of a king, he came to be seen as a king. Was there any point in changing Ovie title to reflect his king status? In my view not at all!
But Efe remember that those Ovies did not start out as a king. Ogisos did not start out as outright kings even. There were senior elders among elders of Benin quarters. Each Quarter produced an elder who will become next leader when the previous dies.

Oliha, Edohen, Ero and Eholor ancestors where among the elders when their head a brilliant idea to make himself king. The other 4 chiefs/elders, after intense negotiations, agreed but one one condition. That they should be permanent chiefs with near equal power to the king. They all agreed (swore at Erimwindu/shrine all Benin ancestors) that the king must ensure their sons inherit their titles and they must ensure the king's son or chosen heir inherits kingship. These elders laboured hard to wrestle control of Benin from Evian descendants and restore monarchy after Ogiso Owodo. They were fulfilling ancestral oath and also safeguarding their positions, since only a Ogiso direct blood descendant would be under oath to ensure the elders retain their position perpetually.

The Elders list later expanded to 7 to include Ezomo, Oloton and the Crown Prince. So the long match to kingship began somewhere for every ancient king.

Whatever title any tribe use to describe their king today is their choice. But we are looking at origins of names first. Nobody is disputing Ovie or Orodje meaning king to those people today.

Just to add, the Benin view the Oba as both the embodiment of divine spiritual being and a physical king. The Oba was seen as God in the physical, the spiritual leader, God on earth only second to Oghene-Osa. There is a saying in Edo that you cannot have two Oba at a time in Benin, hence ogie doesn't quite mean the same thing as Oba to ancient Benin people.

Your example of Ogia-Amen is spot on. People that are not very conversant with Benin may confuse Ogie for Oba.

Oba may mean king in yoruba land, but in Benin, Oba is more than a king. He embodies both the physical and spiritual.

The Ooni for example was the spiritual leader of yoruba while the Alaafin was the king. But the Oba of Benin is both.

Today the Sultan of Sokoto has replaced the Ooni as the spiritual leader of more than half yoruba oba and more than half yoruba population.

The oba of Benin remains both the king and spiritual leader of all Benin and all Benin Enigies. The Oba title is rooted in Benin traditions and antiquity.

UGBE634:
Nor think am abeg, these four titles were the Uzamas themselves, Edion nene. It is not part of it at all. Aside Usen that seem strange, the Entire tradition of Benin from eastern flank to western frontiers see these four titles as natives

My 20 years was even too far, debate has already started. Opakhara . Ezor.

UGBE634:
Bro that is not enough, they seem to be natives or so that is what our oral account state,none of them have origin from Yoruba land.

These four Oliha, Edohen, Eholor nire, Ero, these four are the first four Uzamas, Edion nene, that it was gotten externally is highly unlikely. It contradicts our tradition. When an Edo (H) word enters yoruba lexicon, I believe it would still be H to F too.

20 years from now future Edo will find it difficult to defend these four titles as being of Edo origin.

scholes0:


You, your own position is not even reconcilable with both your Benin brothers here and the Yorubas.
Your position should be thrown into the dustbin but your brothers will not tell you.

Scholars found nothing that connects Benin and Ife other than fairytales. This is the end of the matter as far as I am concerned.

AreaFada2:

Yet, Europeans documented Oba in Benin title in a letter dated 1502, yet nothing about Oba in any Yoruba or "Yoruboid" area like Iwerre?

UGBE634. Just take your side of the divide and defend it bravely. I make no secret of my SW links but also clear about where I stand in the effort to straighten things that others wrote (basically wanting to dictate Benin history) when Britain denied us education. Even refusing us permission to build and fund our own schools.

The story is that Oba of Benin is from Ife. If the story is true, these various titles should have existed in Ife specifically, these guys shouldn't be allowed to give examples from other areas of yoruba land that was influenced by Benin for centuries.

If the argument is that Benin is an offshoot of Ife, then there have to be similarities in both Benin
and Ife traditional institutions, but there are none.

AutomaticMotors:


I have said this several times!! That boy is not Edo I am even tired of saying it

I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, I thought he was genuinely seeking the truth, but when he started inventing theories that the yoruba themselves avoided, I knew he was a fanatic. As far as he was concerned, he was ready to say anything just to convince himself.

He started out by misrepresenting the palace traditions on Oduduwa, when he was corrected, he said Ekaladerhan died in Ughoton.

He was asked to explain why an established kingdom like Benin would have sent for a complete stranger from little know Ife to come and become their king. He said the Benin people most have been attacked and conquered. He completely refused to see how implausible the story is.

Anyway, how do you convince an Arisco supporter and anyone that lost out in a land dispute with his Enogie that Benin monarch is not yoruba.

I don't know how this so called lone home grown fairytales teller plans to accomplished what an army of yoruba fairytales tellers couldn't achieve on Nairaland.

It's best to ignore him.

Thebadpolitican:



We have done a great job to destroy the myth surrounding our history with yoruba how I wish the palace could do so and come out clean about itb

People like Ugbe would seize to exist

Ugbe is a stubborn he goat who refuses to read, relearn and to crown it all he claims he is not yoruba

We still have to remain vigilant, especially because of those amongst us that have been miseducated or those with ulterior motives, agendas and those pretending to be Benin.

UGBE634:
The reason why they are probably quiet is that they are tired of you, they seem to see you as a clown now.

That's a post by macof

So far amongst the Benin on this thread, You have proven yourself to be more than a clown and like I said before you are on your own. You are on a thread where you are against the entire Benin people and what they stand for and still claim to be Benin.

I have been very careful before now not to beleive that your head is blocked and confused as others have been saying, but there is no longer doubt in mind that you are as they described.

Whatever your agenda and ulterior motives are, you haven't be able to convince a single Benin on this thread to join you.

Thebadpolitican:


He is a yoruba man, or probably the part of benin usen who are clamoring to become yoruba

The very fact that most yoruba now read threads like this quietly is a testament to the amount of collective work done in the past few years to rescue Benin history from these people. UGBE634 is a lone ranger. All Benin people here have told him that his views are narrow and myopic. It's now up to him. One thing should be clear to him by now, that he is on his own on this and his views doesn't represent Benin. However he is entitled to his own fews.

Thebadpolitican:



Ugbe I have told you severally go and read the works of Gregyboy everything you seek for is up there

Are you aware that that edo state was once in the western region if you remember or you read your history books correctly then you shouldn't be asking why some yoruba idols are found in benin

The idol like ogboni was introduced to the edos when we were in the western region politician in the western region had to belong to this confraternity to gain power and influence, again ogboni its an oyo idol not ife another bubble to burst your ife myth before you start thinking your oromiyan shit from ife


2) sango, orunmila ifa were introduced to benin by edo returnees from areas what we now call indo and ekiti today, oba eweka 11 ascended the throne in 1914 after the death of his father oba ovaramwen he begged edo merchants chiefs who had been overseeing and exchanging trades in the west before the Benin invasion that brought down the empire and gave rise to the new country Nigeria. to return home to help him rebuild back the destroyed empire caused by the war
Most of the edo families who returned back brought in this foreign idols, they brought in the yoruba names that will hear today in benin


For the title oba

That is an edo title

Your brain they pain you.... ugbe to even think otherwise if you're not disguising as edo

You're saying the oba should also be having ogie as is title like his fellow Duke is that sensible, even in the British monarchy everyone else who is related to the royalty bears duke(enogie) and only the head bears the title king or queen so are you expecting the oba of benin to also bear the word enogie of benin if so then the oba of benin would be as equal with the rest Duke which we know is not possible ....


It's only the yoruba monarchy that they have their original title and then decided to use a generic title for themselves which is absurd and weird for having two titles this can be explained because the title oba doesn't belong to them it entered their lexicon sometime, and they found it fancy and decided to use it for their titles you don't need me to tell you why they loved the name, of course the oba of benin influence over them before the collapse of empire was prominent

This is the absurdity in yoruba title

Let's take owo as example
General title : Oba
Indigenous title is: olowo of owo
The Duke : baale

The only off thing there is the general title oba which they all decided to be incorporating into their original titles after the ooni of ife in 1930 first adopted the world Oba to his title the rest followed


This is how monarchy are structured around the world

Title : oba of benin
Duke : enogie

British :
Title : King
Chiefs : Duke



You want everyone to spoon feed you one of the reason I believe you're yoruba

I won't be surprised if he still come back and not be convinced by this your brilliant submission. I am beginning to believe he is not interested in genuine history.

davidnazee:


You have more sense than that Ugbe boy, but your post once again is full of assumptions. we don't learn about history using assumptions or unfounded claims by one group. And I can see you are only picking pages from Ryder's work that suits your narrative. However Ryder's work was never about advocating and proving an Ife/Benin relationship but instead it was about all the inconsistencies and different narratives about the supposed relationship, and He cast a doubt wether such relationship existed.

When the Portugese wrote about Ogane, they could as well have said Ife or whatever name it was known by at that time. The Portugese in their writings mentioned names of places they visited and also names of places the natives told them existed even if the Portugese never saw those places, yet Ife wasn't mentioned anywhere because it didn't exist or had no significance to Benin.

No chiefs ever told Captain Roupell in 1897 about Ife sending a ruler to Benin. Roupell only wrote about a tale he heard of an Eweka coming to Benin. He never mentioned he came from Ife.

Ryder also mention a research done in 1830 by a European on Benin history. He said the eurpoean was told about a white man who came over the great water being the founder of Benin monarchy. My point and Ryder's point here is that even in 1830 Ife wasn't mentioned.

I am not misquoting Ryder's work, it is you that do not understand the purpose of Ryder's work.

Happy Sunday to you too.

It difficult for people to see and comprehend clearly when their thoughts process is heavily biased.

When the Ife narrative was shot done due to lack of concrete evidence, he still went on the assumption that the oba somehow still have to be yoruba in origin, even without producing any new evidence to back up this theory. Evidence means nothing to people like this, they are simply not interested in evidence.

How could yoruba without known strong monarchical system in the 1500th century had given Benin her dynasty. Even the little that became known of the yoruba monarchical system starting in 1800s is now largely eroded by Islam, with more than half of their monarchy being Muslim.

You cannot give what you don't have.

UGBE634:
how do we now explain the Oba title and the strange gods? Can we settle for the fact that the Oba must have been an "Ekue"

Oba is Benin in Origin. Even if you were to be right in a long stretch, it's still not enough evidence that the oba of Benin is yoruba.

Today more than half of yoruba monarchs share affinity with Islamic religion, some have even adopted Islamic names and titles, does this now mean that they were no longer yoruba in origin?

In the past Oba of Benin seek the best medicine men across the land, there was no place that was too far. Benin was heavily involved in Africa religious practices and renowned native doctors and practitioners of Africa religion were invited to Benin, sometimes to the palace. Any contribution from these various tribes, Ibo, Yoruba etc, doesn't change the Benin Origin of the Oba.

If you argue that the Oba of Benin is from Ife and his title is of yoruba origin, you have to show that Ife had monarchs in the 1500s.

Don't also forget that Easter yoruba was under the cultural influence of Benin for centuries and they copied the Benin style of monarchy and not the other way round.

,

AreaFada2:


Okoro is not lost in Benin o. Every Prince of Benin is called Okoro.
Crown Prince is Okoro n'Okhua. Okoro meant boy child initially but became Prince. I explained Okoro matter years ago here about how Oba Erediauwa was a student at Government College Ibadan, like 80 years ago. The chat between him and his British teacher. I believe I was replying to your post back then. I know at least 12 families with Okoro surname in Benin.
I still put it to you to show me any evidence of Olu of Warri using Oba title from 1800s. Remember, the Portuguese also documented Olu of Itsekhiri quite well. Show me Oba title in it.

I can tell you at least 20 Yoruba kings that never used Oba title until 100 years ago. Olubadan is one of them. Many were still "Baale". Not even yet king in status. Do you know how many Obas have been created or those elevated as Oba in last 50 years alone in Yorubaland. They all now have Oba title and praise name. It does not take long to be rooted. Just replace "Baale" in proverb with Oba.
Yes, power of Oba was important before 1897 is important before others in sphere of Benin influence could not just take Oba title like that. I have shown that even Yoruba rulers under Benin influence didn't even use Oba title.

Titles like Ojomo, Sagwe, Ero, Owangwe, Osere, Bajuaye and Sasere used in Yorubaland were adopted from Benin's Ezomo. Osague, Ero, Esere, Bazuaye and Iyase. You have them now in Ilesa and most of Eastern Yorubaland. In 100 years, people will swear that that they are not from Benin.

Ero, Oliha, Edohen, and Eholo were in Benin by 40BC. Do you have all these titles in all Delta Aristocracy? You don't believe that some words disappear if not used in separated languages?

The Benin/Edo Language I used to hear people speak growing up is different from the one I hear now. Never mind after 600 to 700 years.

It's the yoruba and other group that copied from Benin as you have just explained. As of today, no one is disputing the Benin Origin of the titles you just mentioned but don't be surprised when the story changes in another 100 years. The confusion with the Oba title is because whilst it was restricted to the Oba of Benin for centuries, the yoruba have domesticated and popularize it in the last 50 years, that it's Benin origin is now in doubt amongst some.

The reason scholars such as Ryder had difficulties with the Benin/Ife connection was because the two dynasty and artistic culture were very different from the material evidences they studied.

Benin as a center of culture and a melting pot have changed and continues to change over the centuries because of the exchange of cultures between various groups within the city. People from the hinterland such as Ugo, Urhonigbe whose culture have remained largely unchanged for centuries may confused the amalgamation of cultures in Benin city as foreign to them.

This confusion is why some is ascribing the origin of obaship to yoruba because the title is now shared between Benin and Yoruba. I am sure none of these guys can point to Ife monarch using the Oba title until recently, how can people argue that Benin got the Oba title from Ife when history cannot show us evidence of kingship in Ife until recently.

At best the Ooni was said to be a chief priest and the spiritual leader of the yoruba people, not the King. It was the Alaafin that the Europeans met on ground in 1824 as the king of the yoruba people, he was also the one that signed the treaty with the British on behalf of his yoruba people.

AutomaticMotors:
Samuk Good work 👍

Thanks

AreaFada2:


Abeg have mercy this Saturday night o, haba!

Even wicked Wike doesn't dish out so much fatality like this.

What can I say.

AreaFada2:


I already explained why. To say Usen and Iwerre are totally non-Edoid is wrong. When you consider how much Itsekhiri have mixed with Beni and Isiko/Urhobo and how much much Benin has mixed with Usen. I know because aside Benin proper, I am closest to Usen, Iwerre and Eastern Yoruba. This interchangeability is recent, unless you can show me any pre-1800 evidence of being called Oba. Even, show me one pre-1897. Do you know why Olu of Itsekhiri position was suspended from 1856 to 1936 (no Olu for 80 years)? Do you know why Oba Akenzua II gave the grandfather of current Olu of Warri 14 beads to crown the next 14 Olus of Warri?

When the centuries old Portuguese-made crown was stolen last time, the current Olu relied on one of those 14 beads to do his coronation, not really the newly made crown publicly seen. Watch Olu's inauguration video. He said it himself.

Previously, each Ovies/Orodjes came to Benin to buy their title. A three months journey to-and-fro to "buy Ovie". A very expensive and elaborate process of identifying the skull of the last Ovie in Benin. Some would-be ovie did not even survive the journey/rigour. I guess this may shock you to hear. When the British invade Benin and looted the palace, the skulls they saw were of prominent provincial rulers and defeated foreign rulers (like Deji of Akure in 1818. They were not sacrificial victims.

The whole body of work on these histories is entire massive subject of which people who comment know less than 0.05%
If you have elderly people with good history knowledge, ask what going to Benin to buy "Ovieship meant". A Delta man in his 80s in about 1980 educated us about how they relate with Aka. Quite revealing. An average person from his tribe would totally dispute it today. The way Igbo today insult the Great Zik of Africa about the book written in early 1970s revealing Onitsha history and Benin origin. I meant rise of ethnic nationalism earlier. It grew steadily after Biafra War to what it is today.

The suspension of Oba's suzerainty over areas that Oba once held sway was a matter of Benin-British terms/pact of restoration of Benin Monarchy in 1914. For Oba to give up any rights of overlordship over areas outside what is now Edo South. Of course, many rulers outside Edo South still continue doing ancient requirements stealthily for sometime. To cement their legitimacy since succession disputes were still decided in Benin.

Even now, many of those rulers still pay private visits (not the usual thank you visit that comes after coronation) to Oba of Benin in the period, knowing it is part of ancestral or ancient practice. Obi of Iselukwu openly did his to Edaiken (His father Oba Erediauwa was in indisposed). Also in areas where succession disputes may occur, Oba's blessing is still valued, even prudent to have. The role of Oba of Benin resolving the Dein of Agbor Saga in late 1970s as he ascended the throne aged 2 was also clear. What are now being debated about Benin and Agbor history were not in question when Ben was aged 2. He was brought to Oba Palace before going to UK. Those of us old enough remember it well.

We see how the goal-post has gradually shifted since late 1970s.

Among all proper Edoid people, if you mentioned Oba back then, it meant only one personage: Oba of Benin. So no other related ruler would have assumed that title in the past. Elawure and Olu never used Oba title before. Even now, Elawure will never go to Benin and call himself Oba. He is Enogie. By the way, Elawure and Enogie of Utese are not the only so-called "non-edoid" Enogie in Edo South.

To truly understand history, one must do some own research. I have explained as much as I can. Or I will be repeating what I have done many times on NL before already about Oba title.

Very elaborate. You did justice to the subject matter. Brilliant 👏

TAO11:
You’re actually not well, are you?

Now go tell that to your brother whom you lied to: Tell him it was you in desperate need of my attention and not the other way round.

---

For the umpteenth time, bring [only] one link for this consolation you’re forcing down upon yourself.

Drop link to comments where you performed these wonders in an exchange with me. That shouldn’t be hard to do. Should it?

In contrast, I can drop multiple links for folks to read where you were beaten black & blue as I showed that your Kings are of Ifẹ-Yoruba ancestry, roots, & origin.

I can also drop links showing where some non-Yoruba readers (Igbos, Binis, et al.) on the culture section have expressed their conviction of this historical fact on the basis of my past engagements with you.

Do you see how it’s done? Now help yourself with the links, or take your “L”.

✌🏾

The battle has been lost and won. We on the winning side have to be magnanimous in victory.

Haven't said the above, it's worth acknowledging those that really pushed someone like me to the wall in order to peep beyond the Benin/Ife concocted narrative of 1897. After peeping backwards into Benin history earlier than 1897 I discovered that the Benin/Ife connection was a hogwash that has no historical backing.

As we say in Benin, when you beat a child, you shouldn't deny the child the privilege to cry. This is why your insults means nothing to me these days. One thing you must realise is that you are partly to blame for the the calamity that befell the Benin/Ife connection.

As Gov. Wike will say, As E de pain them, E dey sweet us.

As Gov. Tinubu will say, Balablu, bulabla, God bless APCPDP.

Peace ✌

AutomaticMotors:


Benin Kingdom had not mates in the past, present or future!

Until very recently the Benin people abdicated their responsibilities and allow others with ulterior motives to be writing our history. Various tribes are always in Benin doing all sorts of research to advance themselves. After Benin fell in 1897, various groups led by the yoruba started carving various aspects of the history for themselves. It was a scrabble..Whilst Eweka 2 was fighting to retain his father's stool, the yoruba with local collaborators were busy claiming the monarchy for themselves.

The saving grace is that the Europeans did a great job in documenting and archiving Benin history for over 400 years. Imagine if these archives were in Nigeria, they would have probably burned them down.

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Benin history is vast. Benin was the dominant force, kingdom and empire in ancient times. Benin history extended into the east, west and middle belt.

1. There is Benin/ Nupe-Igala relationship and Igala traditions acknowledged Benin dynasty in Igala land and seems to agree with the Imaguero history of Benin.

2. Olaudah Equiano who is believe to be Ibo referenced Benin in his book written in the 1700s as being his Kingdom, which means his enclave in the East (Igbo land) acknowledged Benin kingdom as the dominant kingdom in the 1700s.

3. There is Benin Lagos relationship recorded by the Europeans in 1602.

4. The Benin/Ida war was recorded in history by the European.

There is absolutely nothing that linked Benin to Ife throughout history until after the fall of Benin empire.

People with very limited knowledge of Benin history tried to understand Benin history from their local interactions with the kingdom in the past. An Urhobo perspective is different from Ika perspective. Igala traditions of Benin is different from Lagos traditions and perspective of Benin.

Benin history is huge and expansive, it's not a local Usen/Urhonigbe affair.

The Benin/Ife connection story reduces Benin history to insignificant, this is why experts whose Europeans ancestors have documented Benin history over the centuries can not stomach the disservice done to it.

Distortion No. 4

That the Igala Kingdom has never been defeated in any war in all of its history.

This statement is not true, as there are three or so recorded wars in which the Igalaa army was roundly defeated and had to beat a hasty retreat in each case. These are as follows:

The Benin Empires conquest and occupation of Igalaland in 1507 AD when the Igala army was no match for the more numerous soldiers of the Benin army
The Igala-Benin War of 1515-1516 AD; and
The Bassa Komo Rebellion in 1856 AD.
The first was the war led by a Benin Prince, Aji Attah (Ata) against Ata Ọgálá Eri in 1507. Robert Arthur Sargent, in his 1984 PhD Thesis, titled, Politics and Economics in the Benue Basin, reports that the Benin army had attacked, conquered and occupied the Igalaland to establish a Bini (or Aji Ata) Dynasty.

The second war in which the Igala troops were defeated was the Aji-Attah-Oba Esigie face-off – a war of two brothers having the same father – which early historians erroneously referred to-as the “gala-Benin War” of 1515-1516. Eight years after Aji Ata had conquered and seized the Ata’s throne and land, he mobilized the Kingdom’s army to fight and remove his brother, Oba Esigie who was installed in 1509 and take over the throne; but the Igala army was roundly defeated. While some settled at the present-day Ebu, near Asaba, others settled at Ibaji and Ilushi (Òjìgónó) area of Edo State.

Prince Okoliko, who later became the Ata-Igalaa between 1870 and 1876, had teamed up with a man named Ódomà Abáláká of the Òhiémi Ọ̀bọgọ Lineage to rustle the Bassa Komo camp at the present-day Ògwùmà on the bank of the River Benue when they were pouring into Igalaland in large numbers, fleeing from slave raiders, and were given refuge by Ata Aame Ocheje (1835 – 1856). Okoliko and Odoma had formed the habit of sneaking into the Bassa camp, stealing them and selling them into slavery. The victims sent word across to their kith and kin who mobilized a formidable force against their transgressors. In the war that ensued, the Igala army was driven into a mire and were killed in large numbers. Odoma and Okoliko narrowly escaped death, as their troops were mowed down by the aggrieved Bassa warriors.

A comprehensive account of the the Bassa Komo Rebellion, see the Postscript section of my book, titled, An Igala-English Lexicon, under the heading Odoma Abalaka (p. 619-620).

DISTORTION NO. 2.

That Àtá Ayẹ̀gbà Ọma Ìdoko sacrificed his beloved daughter, Princess Íníkpi, as demanded by the spirits of the land, in the wake of the Igala-Benin War; while her sister, Ọ́modòkó, was sacrificed in respect of the Igala – Jukun War.

Íníkpi was buried alive at Ọ́gbẹ́gà as the Igala-Jukun War was looming. The war was eventually fought about the year, 1690 AD, at the twilight of 17th Century. By this time, the Igala-Benin War had been fought and lost about 174 years earlier, when Idoko, Ayegba’s father had not even been born. After the Apa War ended in Ayegba’s favour, he celebrated his victory by sacrificing three more of his daughters, namely: Ọ́modòkó (who was buried on the western bank of River Ínáchaló) as well as Ónojò Alíkáà and Ónojò Alẹ́gbẹ̄ who were both buried at two separate spots in Ídá town.

Distortion No. 3

That a Muslim occultist from Bebeji on the outskirts of Kano was the Mallam hired by Ayegba to perform some rites on the western bank of River Inachalo at Ida while the Jukun (Apa) invaders were camping at the opposite bank of the river.

Miles Clifford, a colonial officer who had carried out a research into the Apa War, states that a Nupe Mallam called Edegi was employed to perform the rite mentioned above and was responsible for Ayegba’s victory in the war. Overjoyed by that historic victory, Ata Ayegba betrothed one of his daughters named Ódó, to Mallam Edegi in addition to the huge financial reward the king had gratefully given him earlier. Mallam Edegi had thanked the king most profoundly and, together with his own followers, he rowed upstream of the Niger towards Rabba (in Nupeland). He finally settled down at a place he named Àbó-Idá (Ídá people), which, over time, changed to ‘Bídā,’ as it is still called to date.

Still on Benin connection with Nupe-Igala Niger Benue confluence:

Excerpts Continue below...

DISTORTION NO. 1

The first distortion is that Àbùtù Ẹ̀jẹ̀ was the first Ata-Igalaa in history

This statement that Àbùtù Ẹ̀jẹ̀ was the first Ata-Igalaa ever is misleading, as Àbùtù Ẹ̀jẹ̀ (or his daughter, Ébúlẹẹ́jonú), belong to the Third Dynasty; that is, the ruling Jukun (or Apa) Dynasty, which, according to R. A. Sargent, commenced in 1687 AD, the same year the reign of the Bini Dynasty came to an end. The influx of the Jukuns, who had broken away from the Kwararafa Confederacy, occurred between 1597 AD and 1627 AD. At this time, the Aji Ata (or Bini) Dynasty, under which a total of six Bini-speaking Atas ruled, had forced itself on the Igala Kingdom in 1507 AD, forcing Ata Ọgáláà Eri to proceed on a sudden self-exile. It should also be noted that the Bini Dynasty was itself preceded by an earlier dynasty, the Ata Eri (or Igala) Dynasty. The findings of a 21-year research undertaken by the Catherine Acholonu International Research Centre, Abuja revealed that “Ata Eri was the ancestor and father of the Igalas and the founder of the still-surviving, ancient lineage of Atta Kings of the Igala nation.” Ata Ọgáláà Eri had succeeded Àtá Àtá-Ógwū, after whom the Àtá-Ógwū Hill (Ójúwó Átōgwu) on the outskirts of Ida town was named.

(ii) THE AJI-ATTAH (ATA) (OR BINI) DYNASTY

In the year, 1507, Ọba Ọ̀kpámẹ̀ Ọ̀zọ́luà of Benin ordered his son, Aji-Attah (Ata), to lead a segment of the Bini army against Ata Ọgáláà Erí at Ida, which prompted a sudden journey of the incumbent into self-exile, first, to the southern part of the Benue Basin, then later, to Nri in the present-day Anambra State. The Aji-Attah (or Benin) Dynasty, after one hundred and eighty years at Ida, was finally brought to an end by the influence of the Kwararafa traders-cum-warriors who were pouring into what, today, is referred to as the Igala Kingdom, which, according to Sargent and Miles Clifford, had been occupied by the “Okpoto tribesmen.”