What we know is that the Yoruba language seperated lingustically about 5000 years ago from the wider span of its language family and it seperated about 2000 years ago from Igala. The Yoruba have a sphere that encompasses no less than 5 West African States. Furthermore; all archaelogical artifacts in Yoruba Land date to FAR before any dates that have been acquired in Benin. The Benin People have always claimed a descent from Ife via Oranmiyan. Benin Kings were buried in Ife up till the late 19th and early 20th century. Up till the same period, the consent of the Ooni was required for the crowning of any Benin monarch. Furthermore; the science shows that EDO is part of the wider Yoruba Linguistic The Ife Terracottas date to the 12th century - but the first Benin Kingdom which amalgamated all the Chiefdoms dates to the 13th. Previous to the Eriaduwa II; the conservative idea about Benin origins is that when the Chiefdoms decide to unify; Oranmiyan was LOANED to them and that he produced the dynasty of Eweka. Oyo settlements are dated to about 1000 AD etc. There is no need for these relatively minor problems. As far as I am concerned, the Edo are today, distinct from the Yorubas, regardless of whether they dynasties originated from Ife or NOT. It is also not prudent to speak of Origins in such an absolute sense; as the earliest Human fossiles of Homo sp in West Africa were found near Akure, dating about 10000 years back - we might thus ask; the settlements in Benin which Oranmiyan unified; what are there origins? This is a mystery. What we can say for sure is this: 1. The Yorubas HAVE Never at any point in time claimed to be descended from Benin. 2. The Benin up till the recent have always claimed a Dynastic descent from Ife. The rest is mere speculation. There are very few good books on Yoruba History out there. I have an advice for you - BEWARE OF BOOKS WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WITH ENGLISH NAMES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE EUROPEAN OR NOT; ESPECIALLY IF THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN PRIOR TO INDEPENDENCE. Many theories that have been cooked up about Yoruba origins include Illustrous Parentage Theories which attempt to link the Yoruba to Egypt, or to the Etruscans or to Atlantis. The best resolution; as already put forth by the Ooni is to go with the standard mythological account pending a scientific resolution. This method is common all over the world. In fact, most cultures claim that they were the FIRST People on the earth! The Yorubas believe that Oduduwa was lowered from Heaven and he founded the Earth. Period. It is also worthy to note that all over the world; the Ooni is acknowledged as the de facto spiritual head of the Yoruba. In Cuba, in Brazil, etc - testaments to the resilience of Yoruba culture; the Ooni and the place and position of Ife are still revered.

ODVanguard:


Freeglobe, you and your obsession with Lagos!!!! So far no Benin/Edo person don bring up this Lagos matter because it is a non-issue that they dare not even raise. But due to Igbo land-grabbing obsession with Lagos you had to sneak that in. Look, no matter how hard you try, your people (Igbo) have no aboriginal connection with Lagos, and try as you may you can never distort nor rewrite her history to erase her Yoruba origin. You all obviously have nothing to be proud of in Igboland that you are so desperate to rewrite Lagos history for your selfish reasons. Igbos will always be settlers in Lasgidi and in due time you will all be deported back to Biafra.

this Yoruba people are just too mouthed.lol.

Yes oh ...oba erediauwa d numba 1

They should ask dere neighbor itsekiri if dey re not yoruba let dem be if dey insist dat dey re not part of us

forgiveness:



Is oba of bini empire superior to Alaafin of Oyo empire?

yes.
The Oba of Bini Empire is superior to alaafin of oyo

sparkleRed:


I studied history nigeria pples and culture is just a preamble nt d in dept thing, am sure u re either a uniben graduate or a student of uniben, so it's just 4 gst purposes, read d textbook I wrote there, take it 4rm a history graduate of university of benin

yes,proudly Uniben graduate.though Nigeria peoples and culture is for gst.

YonkijiSappo:


Who cares what Ipods think..... lol
If you are an Edo man you will know deep within you what direction your history points to and who are your natural allies in Naija. (None but The Yorubas)

it is for u to make ur point rather than resort to insults! My history has notin to do with my emotional feeling or sentimental inclinations! One cannot say because he loves the hausas soooooo much, then therefore he assumes that that's where his great grand parents came from!

OPCNAIRALAND:


Oduduwa has nothing to do with Benin. Oranmiyan is the anchor. Start chatting and stop chattering.

What's d genealogy of Oduduwa?

Yoruba never believe Oduduwa descended from heaven, stop mistaken Oduduwa for Orunmila who descended from heaven.

emmanuelpopson:
What we know is that the Yoruba
language seperated lingustically about
5000 years ago from the wider span of
its language family and it seperated
about 2000 years ago from Igala.
The Yoruba have a sphere that
encompasses no less than 5 West African
States.
Furthermore; all archaelogical artifacts in
Yoruba Land date to FAR before any
dates that have been acquired in Benin.
The Benin People have always claimed a
descent from Ife via Oranmiyan.
Benin Kings were buried in Ife up till the
late 19th and early 20th century.
Up till the same period, the consent of
the Ooni was required for the crowning
of any Benin monarch.
Furthermore; the science shows that EDO
is part of the wider Yoruba Linguistic
The Ife Terracottas date to the 12th
century - but the first Benin Kingdom
which amalgamated all the Chiefdoms
dates to the 13th.
Previous to the Eriaduwa II; the
conservative idea about Benin origins is
that when the Chiefdoms decide to unify;
Oranmiyan was LOANED to them and
that he produced the dynasty of Eweka.
Oyo settlements are dated to about 1000
AD etc.
There is no need for these relatively
minor problems.
As far as I am concerned, the Edo are
today, distinct from the Yorubas,
regardless of whether they dynasties
originated from Ife or NOT.
It is also not prudent to speak of
Origins in such an absolute sense; as
the earliest Human fossiles of Homo sp
in West Africa were found near Akure,
dating about 10000 years back - we
might thus ask; the settlements in Benin
which Oranmiyan unified; what are there
origins? This is a mystery.
What we can say for sure is this:
1. The Yorubas HAVE Never at any point
in time claimed to be descended from
Benin.
2. The Benin up till the recent have
always claimed a Dynastic descent from
Ife.
The rest is mere speculation.
There are very few good books on
Yoruba History out there.
I have an advice for you - BEWARE OF
BOOKS WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WITH
ENGLISH NAMES REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER THEY ARE EUROPEAN OR
NOT; ESPECIALLY IF THE BOOK WAS
WRITTEN PRIOR TO INDEPENDENCE.
Many theories that have been cooked up
about Yoruba origins include Illustrous
Parentage Theories which attempt to link
the Yoruba to Egypt, or to the Etruscans
or to Atlantis.
The best resolution; as already put forth
by the Ooni is to go with the standard
mythological account pending a scientific
resolution.
This method is common all over the
world. In fact, most cultures claim that
they were the FIRST People on the earth!
The Yorubas believe that Oduduwa was
lowered from Heaven and he founded
the Earth. Period.
It is also worthy to note that all over the
world; the Ooni is acknowledged as the
de facto spiritual head of the Yoruba. In
Cuba, in Brazil, etc - testaments to the
resilience of Yoruba culture; the Ooni
and the place and position of Ife are still
revered.

NOETHNICITY:
it is for u to make ur point rather than resort to insults! My history has notin to do with my emotional feeling or sentimental inclinations! One cannot say because he loves the hausas soooooo much, then therefore he assumes that that's where his great grand parents came from!

Cultural matters are sensitive my brother.
To an average Yoruba man, telling them that the word OBA is from Benin is just pure insult.... Who was the first Oba of Benin?
Lets us start from there.

absoluteSuccess:

omolade,
omoloba,
omonoba.

If Yorubas has these names u mentioned and many more, Edos has
Omozele,
Omozokpia
Omohude
Omoleme
Omodia. ETC!
Let's not insult and drag issues here!
In Conclusion, we are all one!

OPCNAIRALAND:


It is indisputable that Oba is a titular position and belongs to Yoruba culture, not Benin.

So why is King of Benin a titular Omo n'Oba (the descendant of Oba), can the Benin palace give us clarity on this?

Like you rightly said, he is the son of the Oba, the son of Ogiso, who was the very first Oba, Simples..

OPCNAIRALAND:


It is indisputable that Oba is a titular position and belongs to Yoruba culture, not Benin.

So why is King of Benin a titular Omo n'Oba (the descendant of Oba), can the Benin palace give us clarity on this?

Somebody has just disputed this, giving facts or whatever they are. Did you understand what the Esogban of Benin said at all?
Why don't you share with us claims/arguments countering what he just said instead of just making a statement saying it is indisputable. What do you mean by "indisputable".
State your arguments, we are all learning here.

Anyone in doubt should please visit the British Museum and see for themselves the very rich display of Bini art and cultural history. 90% of Nigerian artifacts are from the great Benin kingdom. Oba gha tokpe.

emmanuelpopson:
What we know is that the Yoruba
language seperated lingustically about
5000 years ago from the wider span of
its language family and it seperated
about 2000 years ago from Igala.
The Yoruba have a sphere that
encompasses no less than 5 West African
States.
Furthermore; all archaelogical artifacts in
Yoruba Land date to FAR before any
dates that have been acquired in Benin.
The Benin People have always claimed a
descent from Ife via Oranmiyan.
Benin Kings were buried in Ife up till the
late 19th and early 20th century.
Up till the same period, the consent of
the Ooni was required for the crowning
of any Benin monarch.
Furthermore; the science shows that EDO
is part of the wider Yoruba Linguistic
The Ife Terracottas date to the 12th
century - but the first Benin Kingdom
which amalgamated all the Chiefdoms
dates to the 13th.
Previous to the Eriaduwa II; the
conservative idea about Benin origins is
that when the Chiefdoms decide to unify;
Oranmiyan was LOANED to them and
that he produced the dynasty of Eweka.
Oyo settlements are dated to about 1000
AD etc.
There is no need for these relatively
minor problems.
As far as I am concerned, the Edo are
today, distinct from the Yorubas,
regardless of whether they dynasties
originated from Ife or NOT.
It is also not prudent to speak of
Origins in such an absolute sense; as
the earliest Human fossiles of Homo sp
in West Africa were found near Akure,
dating about 10000 years back - we
might thus ask; the settlements in Benin
which Oranmiyan unified; what are there
origins? This is a mystery.
What we can say for sure is this:
1. The Yorubas HAVE Never at any point
in time claimed to be descended from
Benin.
2. The Benin up till the recent have
always claimed a Dynastic descent from
Ife.
The rest is mere speculation.
There are very few good books on
Yoruba History out there.
I have an advice for you - BEWARE OF
BOOKS WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WITH
ENGLISH NAMES REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER THEY ARE EUROPEAN OR
NOT; ESPECIALLY IF THE BOOK WAS
WRITTEN PRIOR TO INDEPENDENCE.
Many theories that have been cooked up
about Yoruba origins include Illustrous
Parentage Theories which attempt to link
the Yoruba to Egypt, or to the Etruscans
or to Atlantis.
The best resolution; as already put forth
by the Ooni is to go with the standard
mythological account pending a scientific
resolution.
This method is common all over the
world. In fact, most cultures claim that
they were the FIRST People on the earth!
The Yorubas believe that Oduduwa was
lowered from Heaven and he founded
the Earth. Period.
It is also worthy to note that all over the
world; the Ooni is acknowledged as the
de facto spiritual head of the Yoruba. In
Cuba, in Brazil, etc - testaments to the
resilience of Yoruba culture; the Ooni
and the place and position of Ife are still
revered.

U read d history of the Benin empire frm d perspective of a yoruba man! Do ursef a favour, read historical narrations without any sentiment or without belonging to either side, only then u will be able to discern which is the trut!

YonkijiSappo:


Bini Kings themselves were not known as Oba before Eweka, son of Oranmiyan gave them that title, because he didn't want to be called an Ogiso.....And he was right, as he was the son of an OBA, not the son of an Ogiso. That was the source of the Bini title (Omo n'Oba)
Stop twisting history

But don't forget dat d first ruler of Ife (Oduduwa) was d first son of Ogiso Owodo by d name Ekaladerhan who wandered frm Udo town (capital of ancient Aka Kingdom) to escape injustice, nd at d end arrived in Ile-Ife where he was welcomed, acceptd nd finally made dia king. It was probably as a result of divinity displayd in his personality dat promptd d Yorubas over whom he ruled to give him another name "Oduduwa". Rememba dat d Yorubas believd Oduduwa migrated frm d "east" to rule over them, nd Benin City is "east" of Ile-Ife.

Nigerian history should be thought in schools... Every Nigerian should know their indigenous story of creation. In as much as we like to be told that the world was created in 7days, every one needs to know we had an equally incredible story of how the world was formed.

I think it was unnecessary for the Alake of Egbaland to have gone into the history of ranking of the Obas. The Oonirisa has displayed a lot of wisdom, thus far, by paying visits to his fellow obas.

This unnecessary ranking may reintroduce unhealthy rivalry among the Obas - something the unhealthy rivalry that existed between Ooni Sijuwade and Alaafin Adeyemi.

seunajia:


Dude WTF!? Your retort makes no sense. Olusegun Obasanjo when was he born?
Obafemi Awolowo, when was he born?

This is what you get when people don't do critical thinking.

You are d one dat lack capacity for critical thinking. Obafemi and Obasanjo is a surname that keep jumping from generation to generation.... Olusegun forefathers also OBAsanjo as surname...you hear now ?

Kirigidi:
But don't forget dat d first ruler of Ife (Oduduwa) was d first son of Ogiso Owodo by d name Ekaladerhan who wandered frm Udo town (capital of ancient Aka Kingdom) to escape injustice, nd at d end arrived in Ile-Ife where he was welcomed, acceptd nd finally made dia king. It was probably as a result of divinity displayd in his personality dat promptd d Yorubas ova whom he ruled to give him another name "Oduduwa". Rememba dat d Yorubas believd Oduduwa migrated frm d "east" to rule over them, nd Benin City is "east" Ile-Ife.

No, Oduduwa didn't come from the East, Oduduwa is not from Benin. Forget about him, he has nothing to do with you people.
Why do you people keep saying that?

YonkijiSappo:


Cultural matters are sensitive my brother.
To an average Yoruba man, telling them that the word OBA is from Benin is just pure insult.... Who was the first Oba of Benin?
Lets us start from there.

Before we go any further let me first of all correct the impression u ve, that I am not a Benin man neither am I yoruba! But I ve independently, unbiasly and objectively read in details the history of both tribes and am inclined to believe that the Benins ve a point!

What's all this arguement all about, no doubt about this fact, bini is part of yoruba just like the OKUN'S in Kogi state. Is just like the OKUN'S should just wakeup today and claim they are not part of Yoruba's after claiming yoruba, bearing yoruba names and idolizing yoruba culture. NOTE- most Bini culture are trace to ile ife

Segekesy:
What's all this arguement all about, no doubt about this fact, bini is part of yoruba just like the OKUN'S in Kogi state. Is just like the OKUN'S should just wakeup today and claim they are not part of Yoruba's after claiming yoruba, bearing yoruba names and idolizing yoruba culture. NOTE- most Bini culture are trace to ile ife

why re u behaving like an ibo man forcefully attching ather tribes to itself!

comos:

yes.
The Oba of Bini Empire is superior to alaafin of oyo

OK, Superiority of an Empire depends on the size of lands they acquired during conquest. Right? Then how come Oyo empire is bigger than Bini Empire?

Remember, Oyo empire extended up to Ghana. What about Bini Empire, where did their conquest began and ended?

ODVanguard:


Freeglobe, you and your obsession with Lagos!!!! So far no Benin/Edo person don bring up this Lagos matter because it is a non-issue that they dare not even raise. But due to Igbo land-grabbing obsession with Lagos you had to sneak that in. Look, no matter how hard you try, your people (Igbo) have no aboriginal connection with Lagos, and try as you may you can never distort nor rewrite her history to erase her Yoruba origin. You all obviously have nothing to be proud of in Igboland that you are so desperate to rewrite Lagos history for your selfish reasons. Igbos will always be settlers in Lasgidi and in due time you will all be deported back to Biafra.

For reference purpose, I will like to re-post my earlier assertion, I did not mention igbo in my analogy, neither am I Igbo, I am also not Freeglobe. My earlier post is from historical records including wkipaedia if you are interested in emotionless research. Please note that I do not like to be any other tribe apart from my presdent tribe which is not igbo anyway, I do not think Yorubas are a superior tribe to the Bini people, I do not always think that Binis have anything to gain my making the assetion. It is for education purpose only.

I have studied both cultures when there was a controversy about Lagos being a "No man's land", in actuality, I realised from historical records that in 1630s, the Benin people used to travel from Benin to Togo via Badagry. It was the Benin People that gave the name Eko, which means "Camp" in Bini language. The Benin people usually settled here in Lagos. It was on one of those trips that they met Ile-Ife fishermen on the coast of Eko and they fought and defeated the Ile-Ife fishermen and few Benin people settled in Eko and few scattered population of Ile-Ife people always settled for fishing.

When the Portugese came for exploration, the named Eko, which in Bini means camp, they name it Lagos, which means "Lake" in Portugese.

I think the Benin people have a very detailed history and this Oba issue will bring to light that Benin Monarchy is totally the precursor of the Eko, and what ever the disclosure will be, both tribes will take it in good faith. No tribe is superior, its just language that is different.

iHustle:


I laugh in Benin.

What does Oduduwa mean in Yoruba language? NOTHING. Oduduwa is the Yoruba corruption of Imadoduwa. The crown prince Ekhaladerhan, son of Ogiso Owodo, was maliciously banished from Benin. Upon arriving Ife, he became the king of Ife and renamed himself Imadoduwa, meaning "I did not miss the path to glory".

Benin history has visible proofs, unlike the many fables from Yoruba land. Sorry, but it's the truth.

This is epic! This post alone should end this whole argument!

NOETHNICITY:
Before we go any further let me first of all correct the impression u ve, that I am not a Benin man neither am I yoruba! But I ve independently, unbiasly and objectively read in details the history of both tribes and am inclined to believe that the Benins ve a point!

Good for you and your Benin brothers.

OPCNAIRALAND:
The full title of Benin King is Omo n'Oba n'Edo.

Translation : The begotten of the Oba that ruled Edo.

Which Oba ruled Edo beside Oranmiyan? The begotten of Oranmiyan was Eweka, who was the first to hold the title Omo n'Oba.

Do you know the story of how oranmiyan came about?

OPCNAIRALAND:


It is indisputable that Oba is a titular position and belongs to Yoruba culture, not Benin.

So why is King of Benin a titular Omo n'Oba (the descendant of Oba), can the Benin palace give us clarity on this?

yoruba monarch system originated from Benin kingdom.. if u doubt me Google is ur friend

Ejemehn:





Stop that. Who told you that Benin is a migrant groupto edo land? Where did you get that from? Ogiso dynasty rule ended as a result of power tussle between a crown prince of the ogiso dynasty and his young uncle leading to war. That war caused the ogiso dynasty the throne. Oranmiyan came to rule but could not and went back to oyo before going back to ife. Can you please tell me how this whole power shift turned the edos into yorubas? [s] I agree ooni is ranked number 1 but in yoruba land, and among the yoruba monarchs [/s] . Benin should not be included as part of that.

Nonsense!

Where did you place the Alaafin of Oyo?

Tunami:
they should go to hell, we don't even need them in yoruba land, even people that are in faraway Cuba, Venezuela, Brasil etc. Are even happy to be called yorubas talkless them. Abegi. Iranu abasha, shiooor.

what is dis one saying

iHustle:


I laugh in Benin.

What does Oduduwa mean in Yoruba language? NOTHING. Oduduwa is the Yoruba corruption of Imadoduwa. The crown prince Ekhaladerhan, son of Ogiso Owodo, was maliciously banished from Benin. Upon arriving Ife, he became the king of Ife and renamed himself Imadoduwa, meaning "I did not miss the path to glory".

Benin history has visible proofs, unlike the many fables from Yoruba land. Sorry, but it's the truth.

Who told you Oduduwa has no meaning in the Yoruba Language, there are MANY MANY names that begin with Odu in Yoruba, examples Odumakin, Odufuwa, Odusola, Odutola etc.Odu in Yoruba means the Mysteries of Ifa divination. The Ifa corpus is even called "ODU IFA"
Oduduwa is Odu da Iwa.... The mysteries that makes behaviour.
Keep lying to yourselves in that Benin.... first one Bini guy said It was Izoduwa, now, you are saying Imadoduwa.....lol.... next name you people will call him is Ogisoduwa.