AreaFada2: Well, Egharevba had no major local Benin literary source to draw on. Remember, it was only 20 years after restoration of the monarchy when he first wrote. 20 years since 9ja was amalgamated. These might appear unrelated but remember that spinning a web to first unite Benin and SW among Southern protectorate was vital beforehand. Benin history that was well documented centuries before SW history was vital to Yoruba. Since if Benin and Ife are related through Oranmiyan/Oduduwa, by extension Benin history would also become part of Yoruba history, as Yoruba was missing early documentation.
Ask yourself as well-travelled and versatile Ajayi Crowder was, how did he totally miss Benin-Ife link? Something that would be so central at the time if it was true? But commented on Asaba that they were Benin people?
Alaafin also totally missed Benin-Ife link tales in the 1820s? Since if the link existed and Oranyan left Benin to found Oyo as now purported, it would have be vital for Alaafin to mention it in 1820s.
Oba of Benin totally missed something that would be so vital in the 1840s?
Well, the stories were first moonlight stories by various elderly relatives as a kid. They were from different villages but remarkably consistently. Quite surprising how identical the stories were to ones I later saw written and read in books. Except Dr J U. Egharevba's account that deviated markedly in many parts from what I heard as a kid.
Sadly, many of the books are not in print. It appears oyinbo people and foreigners have the books more in their libraries. Though more are being written, their distribution is poor. Everybody dey go church. Many take tradition or culture as pagan. Those non-Edo pastors are taking our people from culture. Of course many of the MoGs are from envious neighbours places. I am saying what I have seen. People are reading less too.
Why people believe that anybody has anything to tell us about Christianity that we were the first to have in what is now 9ja baffles me.
Thanks boss I would watch the movie, about Egharevba what was he thinking writing all those lies and misinformation about Benin Empire in his books?
6. EPIE (EPIE-ATISSA) [EPI]. Rivers State, Yenagoa LGA. Dialect: ATISA (ATISSA). Most speakers are bilingual in Ijo.
7. ERUWA (EROHWA, ERAKWA, AROKWA) [ERH] Bendel State, Isoko LGA. Related to Urhobo. Most speakers are bilingual in Central Isoko, which is replacing Eruwa. Not intelligible with any Isoko dialect.
8. ESAN (ISHAN, ISA, ESA, ANWAIN) [ISH] Bendel State, Agbazilo, Okpebho LGA's. Dialects: EKPON, IGUEBEN. Many dialects, apparently inherently intelligible.
9. GHOTUO (OTWA, OTUO) [AAA]. Edo State, Owan and Akoko-Edo LGA's.
11. ISOKO Delta State, Isoko and Ndokwa LGA's. 12. IVBIE NORTH-OKPELA-ARHE [ATG]. Edo State, Etsako and Akoko-Edo LGA's. Dialects: IVBIE NORTH (IBIE NORTH), OKPELA (OKPELLA, UKPELLA, UPELLA), ARHE (ATTE, ATE).
13. IYAYU (IDOANI) [IYA]. Ondo State, one-quarter of Idoani town. The people are sometimes called 'Idoani'.
14. OKPAMHERI (OPAMERI) [OPA]. Edo State, Akoko-Edo LGA. Dialects:OKULOSHO (OKUROSHO), WESTERN OKPAMHERI, EMHALHE (EMARLE, SOMORIKA,SEMOLIKA). Subdialects of Okulosho: Ojirami (Eekunu),Dagbala (Dangbala), Oja (Oza), Makeke (Uuma), Oma. Subdialects of WesternOkpamheri: Ekpe, Bekuma, Lankpese (Lampese, Lankpeshi), Ibillo (Ibilo), Imoga (Imorga, Uma), Eko (Ekon, Ekor), Ikaran-Oke(Ikeram-Oke), Ebunn-Oke, Ikaran-Ele (Ikeran-Ile, Ebunn-Ugbo, Ikpesa,Igbo-Ola-Sale (Ugboshi-Sale), Aiyegunle (Oshi), Igbo-Ola-Oke(Ugboshi-Oke), Onumo (Onumu), Ogugu, Ogbe-Sale, Ogbe-Oke. Emhalhe may be a separate language.
15. OKPE [OKE]. Delta State, Okpe LGA. Distinct from Okpe-Idesa-Oloma-Akuku, which is Northwestern Edoid.
16. OKPE-IDESA-OLOMA-AKUKU [OKP] Edo State, Akoko-Edo LGA. Dialects:OKPE, IDESA, OLOMA, AKUKU. Oloma may be a separate language. Differentfrom Okpe which is Southwestern Edoid.
17. OSOSO [OSS]. Edo State, Akoko-Edo LGA.
18. SASARU-ENWAN IGWE (SASARU) [SSC]. Edo State, Akoko-Edo LGA.
19. UHAMI (ISHUA) [UHA]. Ondo State, Akoko South and Owo LGA's.
20. UKUE-EHUEN (EKPENMI, EKPENMEN, EPINMI) [UKU] including Ehuen, Ukue. Ondo State, Akoko South LGA. Dialects: UKUE, EHUEN. Crozier andBlench 1992 treat Ukue and Ehuen as separate languages.
21. UNEME (ULEME, ILEME, INEME) [UNE]. Edo State, Etsako, Agbazilo, and Akoko-Edo LGA's. Ghotuo-Uneme-Yekhee.
AreaFada2: The story of Owo is not complete without Benin. Virtually the entire original people of many parts of Owo are Benin people. Upele is a good example. I have family throughout the area. The traditional rulers in that picture are all my people by the way. The current Olowo is Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III. A lawyer and former permanent secretary.
Owo history can never be mentioned without Oba Olateru Olagbegi II who was twice Oba/Olowo/Ologho (1941-1968 and 1993-1999), founded Imade College and brought modernity to Owo. Action Group was launched in his palace and assisted Michael Ajasin's career massively. Ajasin drafted Western Region education policy blueprint for Awo. As a former Imade College Principal, Ajasin's educationist ideas drove the education policy that Awo implemented. It led to Yoruba's high level of education.
Olowo Ojugbelu Arere (founder), Olowo Imade, Olowo Rerengejen and Ologho Elewuokun are also key historical figures.
The current ruling houses are Olateru-Olagbegi, Ajike and Ogunoye. All the ruling houses descend from Oba Elewuokun.
I was scrolling wondering when someone was going to point this out..... Then I saw your comment 🙌
Esan boy I dey find you for YouTube like this just dey play !! Better delete that leprous channel B4 I reach there!! God help you if you used your face in those deceased videos !!
AreaFada2: Ezomo and Benin were livid. Of course, Oba demanded for his head. His head must have been among the skulls oyinbo found at alters in Benin palace in 1897.
AreaFada2: Adesuwa was the pretty daughter of Chief Ezomo Odia of Benin. He was one of the wealthiest men in the Empire. As a war general, he was often the first to administer newly acquired territory and control tributes coming to the palace. Also since he went on campaigns, he was often the closest to foreign territory rulers.
So one period in about 1752, Ogie Oboro visited Benin with tributes to the palace. It was his investiture as ruler/duke/Obi of Oboro/Ubuluku. He was hosted nicely by his old friend Ezomo. Now, Ezomo had already betrothed Adesua to Oba Akengbuda. Ogie Oboro couldn't take his eyes off pretty Adesua but he was warned that she will soon be Oba's bride.
Ogie Oboro devised a way to lure Adesuwa to Oboro, today in Delta. The babe at such a young age was already a very successful businesswoman. He bought goats from Adesuwa, possibly as part of his tributes. He then promised to send the money later from Oboro. He actually had no plan to pay. After Adesua waited and waited and sent messages to Oboro in vain, she went to Oboro to draw the debt. That was Ogie Oboro's plan all along.
At Oboro, the duke tried to force himself on Adesua and Adesua gave him a brain-resetting dirty slap. She told him that as a local champion, he was even below the lowest servant at Ezomo palace at Uzebu. E don tey wey Benin women dey wotoporious at dishing out fatality.
He murdered Adesua. May she continue to RIP.
Ezomo and Benin were livid. Of course, Oba demanded for his head. His head must have been among the skulls oyinbo found at alters in Benin palace in 1897.
There are many interesting figures in the battles to kill Ogie Oboro. Such as Emokpaogbe, who was son of Duke of Ugo. He had been at Oboro with an ailment and Ogio Oboro had been is physician and great mystic. He knew how to defeat the Obi. He didn't want to fight his healer but you can't refuse Oba's command. Ogie Oboro predicted years earlier that Emokpaogbe will one day come to fight him and Emokpaoge swore that he would never fight a man who healed him and taught him mysticism.
Emokpaogbe became Enogie Agboghidi of Ugo. He later fought against Benin but lost the war. He was Emokpagbe who drowned himself in what became Jamieson River to avoid capture by Benin troops led by Generals Ologbosere and Imaran of Benin.
NOTE: Several rulers today in Western Igboland bear the title "Agboghidi" or at least as part of their praise name as warrior.
Wow As I dey read am e be like Epic Hollywood movie! Thanks Boss, do you have an refferals where I can read up Edo tales such as this?
AreaFada2: Ogie Oboro that Adesuwa snubbed and had to lure and murder her in the 18th century (over 500 years earlier) here. How can moats started by Oba Ewedo circa 1255 be due to Oboro/Ubuluku?
Ogie Oboro that was a village duke.
.
I like to know more on this oboro topic, what is the story? It looks interesting
AreaFada2: My brother I was replying his posts when I thought maybe AutoM and Samuk perhaps slightly misunderstood him. I like to give benefit of the doubt. My first post on this thread began with saying that we should not allow it to degenerate. So that Orhogbua/OP can get the information he seeks. Now I see that AutoM and Samuk didn't misunderstand him. Over the years, I have heard various arguments about Edo history both online and real live. An Oboro man once told me that Benin moats were for defence against Oboro.
Ogie Oboro that Adesuwa snubbed and had to lure and murder her in the 18th century here. How can moats started by Oba Ewedo circa 1255 be due to Oboro/Ubuloku?
Ogio Oboro that was a village duke.
I know agendas influenced by various neighbours.
My point is people should be brave enough to stand on the tribal side they are on. No speaking from both sides of the mouth. It is not in Benin character. I go kpai you means I go kpai you. I go help you means I go help you. Yes means yes, no means no.
Boss thanks for pushing him to show his hand out of petty ego, I always knew he would slip up if he gets angry enough ! No man from Benin would say the kind of things he has posted on this thread, so I was 100% sure he wasn't from Benin area, this fact I clocked from the start!! So I have been watching him and waiting for him to slip up which he finally did by admitting to you he is 25% Esan which I believe is a vast understatement, that boy is 100% Esan and it all makes sense now, the way he started acting erratic like a crazed fellow the moment you dived into Onojie/Esan topic Ahhh I started getting a more clear picture and also the way he held to Ogiso era and conveniently threw Obaship to the Yorubas !
AreaFada2: Dude, you jump from one minutiae to another. I said one among the agendas at GRC in 1480s was designating seniority of Onojies. The remnant persists till today.
Haba! How does it prove level of control or independence? How can we now say everything that it covered when things have evolved since over 500 years?
Good empires were not necessarily control freaks, unless they feared rebellion, couldn't bank on loyalty or otherwise have reasons for tighter control.
Pontius Pilate didn't want to be involved in Jesus' and Pharisees case. He said it was a local religious issue. If Jesus didn't stop residents of Roman Judea from paying their taxes, didn't say he was superior to Caesar on earthly basis or support rebellion, Rome had no interest. He had to be almost forced to act. Not to appear weak to Judean masses. And washed his hands!
I gave an example with faraway Eastern Yorubaland, how some local royal dukes nearer to Benin, like my ancestors, even had more privileges than some of them. Some of those provincial rulers spent childhood as "omada" in Benin to learn Benin culture and administration.
If you truly know Benin history even a little bit, did more reading and research, you will know one well-known Eastern Yoruba prince who was an omada. He later fell out with Benin when he became ruler in his land. If not that Oyinbo documented it, they would deny today that their future ruler served as omada to prepare for his future role as ruler back home.
I can now agree that your knowledge of evolution of royal traditions, even of Benin history, is not that deep. Or your personal agenda is totally different.
I keep writing what I observed growing up, history written in my presence, learning about Eastern Yorubaland, what I learnt through comparing Greek, Roman, Persian and other better documented imperial histories.
If you are not proud of Benin role in maintaining order in the South Eastern part of West Africa, or your other ethnic affiliations make you resent Oba and Benin history, that's fine. But don't conjecture widely.
We know of resentment by some of our neighbours over historical Benin dominance. No biggie. Nature abhors vacuum and Benin Empire always followed that natural law. The pushback today is to be resentful, deny it, minimise it or confusingly, all of the aforementioned.
To say that Iwerre had not evolved their monarchy on their own is wrong. They have added "Olu", though a direct equivalent Yoruboid word for Ogie or Lord, Igininuwa left Benin with younger sons of 65 chiefs to replicate titles of Benin courtiers in Iwerre, today Iwerre have other more Yoruba sounding titles, they have female chiefs, Ologbosere (3rd in miliary hierarchy in ancient Benin) is a more high ranking chief in Warri (even sometimes serving as Prime Minister), etc.
AreaFada2: My brother, you are just a bit too hubristic to digest what you read before replying. You fail to separate history from the present.
How do I care or how is it relevant who today in Esanland is the senior ruler or not? I just laid down the history and the remnants of it today. I don't want to even be present with breaking kola-nut with any other tribe, if I can avoid it.
Perhaps soon enough Edo North and Central will have their own State and divergence will even be more. Considering how diversity has ruined 9ja, homogeneity is far better. Japan and South Korea prove it. Even if not country yet, let's begin with states that are more homogeneous.
The name stuck because the Grand Royal conference conferred that title. Same as Ogiame stuck with Olu of Warri.
No real evidence that any Esan group left Benin before 1255 when Oba Ewedo's reign began. Oba title was well established already.
Samuk and Automaticmotor
We were discussing chieftaincy titles yesterday. I was very busy, chipping in and out. The around 300 titles Oba has to give out in Benin, our father was given that same rare privilege back in the day. Only a handful of dukes have that full privilege.
As a kid, I saw our father bestow those titles on deserving citizens. Oba Erediauwa as a crown prince was fairly regular back then and knew many of our father's chiefs personally.
When these titles were given out, our local Iyase would educate new chiefs about the history of these titles, how they came about in Benin and privileges and obligations attached. The full traditional observations when given "ivie" by the duke's officials must be done. Like not leaving your house for 7 days. When the palace finally gives the name of the title, it is another 7 days indoors. Of course with all the other processes that follow.
Talking with some custodians in Eastern Yorubaland, I was shocked to learn that our father had more privileges than them in imperial times. They are respected rulers today. For example, my ancestors were not required to bring leopards hunted in their forests/domain to Benin. Those in Eastern Yorubaland had to! However, if our father's servants caught live leopard cubs, the palace in Benin would particularly value it and it was good practice of honour to take the cubs to Beinin.
Keeping hunted leopards to yourself might seem insignificant now, but the arduous journey to Benin on foot through forest roads, whatever the season, was not a joke back then. So it was a big deal.
I grew up hearing stories of relatives who travelled on foot from Edo to Ondo on visits towards end of 19th century, about 1880 to 1900 period. And the adventure of it all.
Anybody can come online, use conjecture but nothing close to reality and just write. That's easy. I write here because I believe in broadening our horizons and learning.
Boss do you believe we still have leopards in Edo forests till today? That animal and the palace na 5&6 through out history but for the life of me I never see one for Benin before neither have I even heard of one caught/killed since I was born ..... But I know elephants are in Okomu and Gelegele Axis
AreaFada2: Efewestern, Ogie meant duke. Ogiegor was always a chief/duke. His position predated Oba period. At no point was he ever called king as ogie.
Ovies didn't start out as kings one day. Their power gradually increased, like it did virtually everywhere else in the world. This is the benefit of comparative history, if you know it.
Again, not all Eoid groups were fully established in diaspora by Oba era. Many Esan people left Benin during Oba Ewuare reign (1440-1473). There was a Grand Royal Conference in Benin in 1480s to anoint Esan enigies/dukes officially. The name Onojie have stuck with them, the current royal status by law irrespective. Among others on that conference agenda was designation of seniority among Esan dukes. The Onojie of Irrua is the senior Onojie. By tradition, if a Benin man is not present at a gathering, an Irrua man breaks the Kola-nut. The logic is that the Benin man represents the Oba and Irrua man represents Onojie of Irrua. Many Esan people have confirmed this to me over a period of last 30 plus years.
Of late in diaspora, I have seen one occasion when Esan have asked for two bowls of Kola nuts. One for Benin, one for Esan. We will keep diverging and language will keep losing similarity. My elderly folks called coconut Ekokodia 40 years ago. You won't hear a young Benin person call it Ekokodia today. 50 years from now, just like Okoro, some will claim that Kokodia is only a pure Delta word for coconut.
Post-1914 (restoration of monarchy terms), we are not concerned with whatever title or status rulers outside Edo South are said to or claim to have or gazetted legally as.
Unless you can provide evidence from at least early 1800s that Ovies were kings from day 1, they were chiefs/dukes to begin with. That is why they came to "buy ovieship" from Benin. If they were authoritarian or very powerful, by the standards of transport back then, in their faraway domain and acted like a king, that was their prerogative.
Back then, Oba cared mostly about allegiance, loyalty, continuity and order. Many local issues were devolved to local rulers. including issue of slavery practice.
To "gie" means to direct or lead the way. "Ogie" is the person that leads.. Ogieisoba; this means no ruler (Enogies, okaevbo) is above the king Oba r'Ogie means King is ruler.
darfay: Loool @ 5 lga(actually 7) But that 5(7) lga is bigger in landmass than all Igbo states except maybe only Enugu Just stating the obvious, no harm meant
Orhiomwon LGA alone is bigger than Enugu and Imo state combined
Although I'm making a lot of money this time due to the nature of my business, POS operators were queuing to get cash from me and I'm charging them 5% but I'll not be selfish, this policy is bad as insane.
What is the nature of your business if you don't mind
Alaafin further said that he had confronted Ooni with various questions in the past, even before Chief Obasanjo at the meeting, but he could not answer them, “instead, he came with books that could fill three baskets”.
seems like the ooni and this miscreants here on nairaland have something In common
Alaafin Of Oyo Fights Ooni Of Ife Over Insensitive Oranmiyan Comment
10 years ago Dec 17, 2012 – Alaafin Of Oyo Fights Ooni Of Ife Over Insensitive Oranmiyan Comment
The frosty relationship between Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III continued over the weekend, as Oba Adeyemi lashed out at Oba Sijuwade, describing him as one fond of distorting history and ignorant of the details of his ancestral roots. Oni had during the Centenary anniversary of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos criticized Alaafin over the celebration of Oranyan.
He was said to have described Alaafin as not being connected to Oranyan, one of the sons of Oduduwa and so not qualified to celebrate him. Ooni was said to have stressed that Alaafin was reigning over a dead empire, saying that Alaafin was a rascally person and that “Alaafin is not Oranyan”, but he had kept his cool and went ahead with the Oranyan celebration, “which attracted many dignitaries from all walks of life in Nigeria and in the Diaspora”.
Oba Adeyemi while reacting at the weekend during the special birthday lecture organized in his honour by the ‘City People Magazine’, entitled: “Reviving Old Oyo Customs and Tradition”, delivered by a Portuguese national, Ms Paula Gomes (Alaafin’s Cultural Ambassador), the monarch said he had decided not to engage in altercations with Ooni any longer since former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo summoned him, the Awujale of Ijebu, the late Oba Oyebade Lipede and the Ooni to an all-night meeting, and everybody had agreed to cease fire.
He however said despite keeping his cool, Ooni had continued to castigate him and his traditional activities, adding that he had deemed it appropriate “to recall history, educate the Ooni and let the world know the truth.” Making reference to series of documentary evidence, Alaafin recalled that Oyo is superior to Ife in many ramifications, asking, “where did this Yoruba Language that we are speaking originate from?
Which language was used in writing the Bible? It is Oyo Language. Why not Ife language? Where else are they speaking Ife Language apart from Lagere Quarters? Why are the Modakeke people, who are living behind Ife not speaking Ife Language?”. Alaafin further said that he had confronted Ooni with various questions in the past, even before Chief Obasanjo at the meeting, but he could not answer them, “instead, he came with books that could fill three baskets”.
Alaafin said that, “In 2009, Ooni had rubbished the institution of Alaafin, but a year after when he was celebrating his birthday said Oranyan was his father’s ancestor. “How could you have denigrated your ancestors and later claim that you are a son of the Alaafin. Anybody who does not know his ancestral roots, who did not strive to learn about it, and does not learn from those who know, will continue to make mistakes and flounder in ignorance. That is part of Ooni’s inadequacies. “When we wanted to celebrate Sango, they said Sango is not Yoruba. Sango studied Quoran. He was the one that was first conferred with the title of ‘Akeugberu’. He was the first in the art of adjudicating justly.
When he was born, the umbilical cord that joined him with his mother could not be detached. Because they pulled it and it would not cut, it became the name ‘Afonja’. The glory, success and tradition of Yoruba started from Oyo”, the Alaafin emphasized. He added that Oyo state during the administration of late Chief Bola Ige (SAN) came up with a stamped paper recognizing Oranyan as the Head of the Princes and Princesses in Yorubaland, “and that Oyo dominated all other nations, namely: Ife, Ijebu, Egba, Ijesa, Sabe, Owu and so on”
As for you fifth-columnist, Saboteurs and Envious History Stealers , while you Uhundan's are engaging in your ungodly work don't forget this is the Benin Flag ooo from time Immemorial I norfit talk pass this one
It is no secret by the way that Oyo/Osun Yorubas act condescendingly towards Ondo people and are always particularly irked by Ondo languages, This I have witnessed with my two eyes because my tertiary education was in the SW, Oyo to be precised !! That is why whenever I see an overzealous Ondo like the one running pantless on this thread I just SMH and move.... ieghe ro!!
AreaFada2: Actually SW people are very very good people generally. Those from Eastern part are much like Edo people. Whenever I go there, Eastern people don't see us any different. They are very aware of our shared history. I have family all over the area. Some know even our links more than me sef.
Some NLers are just too enthusiastic to jump online thinking it is their ethnic duty. Most posting here don't promote the culture more than me. Our shared culture is so vibrant in the East and I promote it in my own way. If we don't promote it, the Edo in those cultures will be lost. And everybody will be poorer for it culturally.
Yes oo boss I am fully aware of east Yoruba Ediod roots I was in Akure last month one of the local kings there erected a billboard to celebrate 5yrs ancension to the throne, his last name was "Osamuyi"
Even some of my Igbo friends and associates who served in Ondo have always told me over the years that those people are lost Edo people that they act so "Edo" that there is nothing in looks or character in them that resembles Yoruba ..
AreaFada2: AutoM. who be me? I for dey wail for desert o. Nobody for listen. Even all the history I saw been written since I was a kid for help me sef. Dem for brainwash more Edo Benin people with Lagos-Ibadan express publishers o.
When I first came on nairaland culture section many years ago their brainwashing machinery was very shiny and well oiled it was only until I started seeing your push back I started having hope oo but now thank God all your hard work paid off because their machine is all rusty and dirty now I even heard no mechanic again to service it I heard he threw away the spanner saying "The Edo fire is too hot" he can't continue na just some homeless kids dey Try rub oil in machine once in awhile
Culture › Re: Benin-ife Relationship Explored by AutomaticMotors: 10:30pm On Feb 08, 2023
! No man from Benin would say the kind of things he has posted on this thread, so I was 100% sure he wasn't from Benin area, this fact I clocked from the start!! So I have been watching him and waiting for him to slip up which he finally did by admitting to you he is 25% Esan which I believe is a vast understatement, that boy is 100% Esan and it all makes sense now, the way he started acting erratic like a crazed fellow 
. Edo State,Etsako, Agbako, and Okpebho LGA's. Ghotuo-Uneme-Yekhee. Dialects: AUCHI, UZAIRUE, SOUTH IBIE, UWEPA-UWANO (WEPPA WANO), AVIANWU (FUGAR),AVIELE, IVHIADAOBI.