Firstly, pardon my grammar I know I'm poor at it but my messages will be passed across to everyone.

Contrary to the popular circulating stories regarding Oduduwa, I will share my own side as a bini girl. I can categorically tell nigerians we binis are from yorubas with the following;

Ile ubinu corrupted to ile bini

We binis knows our words although we often use other yoruba words as ours and is a shame some people wants to claim these words cheaply e.g

a. Pepeye(Duck), Gogbo e (everything), jeje, sha, ni, Omo, abi, ashawo, Egunsi, Oyibo/Oyinbo, Agbada, patapata, iyawo Osa (god) e.t.c

b. Oba is a yoruba word..I speak both bini and yoruba with these I should know.

c. Why are past oba of binis burried at Ife?

d. Why is Oduduwa festival always celebrated by we bini when he's not even d first Oba of bini or a bini warrior. why can't we have our own hero.

e. Oranmiyan, Oduduwa, Eweka and other past kings in bini are corrupted yoruba names.

f. Olokun, isango/sango, aiyelala, ifa, obatala e.t.c are yoruba native gods though.

g. Why is benin referred to as Oduduwa land by binis? afterall Oduduwa was bini prince that became king in ile-Ife.

h. Many street names are yoruba names.

I. Yoruba language is being taken as a subject in some part of Edo's secondary schools e.g d Akoko edos and Bini.

j. Why are 90% of towns in edo doesn't use d title Oba to refer to as their kings but ogiso e.t.c?

k. Study d map of Nigeria one should know d probable region all d Edo tribes migrated from not that majority will come out of few.

There is no doubt that some miscreants are behind this purported story carefully revised by lazy and jobless people that studied yoruba history to bring out their own this can cause hatred amongst the two ethnic groups but pls bear in mind that not only bini tribe in Edo-state, there are other tribes in bini that are even more in population than the binis.
Oba of binis and his cohorts and Igbos should desist from these unestablished facts period and focus on his job cause without yoruba there won't be Bini.

Ok

Great honest write up and your English is good my dear.

Excellent



More blessing

FisifunKododada:
Great honest write up and your English is good my dear.

The matter between the two sides does not concern me.

The 'English' is very bad.

God bless your wit.

cc: Lalasticlala , Seun ....
let us share.

Another yoruba cow*ard claiming to be benin

LGDON:
Another yoruba cow*ard claiming to be benin

Hehehehe! You dey mind the yeye OP.
Unlike any other Nigerian ethnicity, an Edo can NEVER fight against the Omon n' Oba. Hermaphrodite, you are not an EDO

In Yoruba, we have power to choose our kings and we have power to sack them.

We are not slaves to institutions we created to maintain peace and order.

That's why we say, tell your story to the marines. We know our history.

We don't have any obligations to make it 'perfect', convincing and believable to you.

If oduduwa was a bini prince that became king in a yoruba land (ife), that means he took some of the Benin major culture to the yoruba people. The yoruba race should not claim descendent from somebody they don't know. Oduduwa definitely will tell the yoruba people where he came. But I think they refuse to share because of pride. They cannot tell me He fell from heaven and expect me to believe. That was what I learnt in my secondary school days and I think the Nigerian sch system should stop misleading students with those cocktail and bull stories. Let the yoruba people come out with the truth. Only the truth will set them free.

Markymac5:
If oduduwa was a bini prince that became king in a yoruba land (ife), that means he took some of the Benin major culture to the yoruba people. The yoruba race should not claim descendent from somebody they don't know. Oduduwa definitely will tell the yoruba people where he came. But I think they refuse to share because of pride. They cannot tell me He fell from heaven and expect me to believe. That was what I learnt in my secondary school days and I think the Nigerian sch system should stop misleading students with those cocktail and bull stories. Let the yoruba people come out with the truth. Only the truth will set them free.

according to op can you tell us how all those yoruba dialects are in bini language!!!!! Then we will start from there.

This will further enlighten you lalasticlala

http://ihuanedo.ning.com/m/group/discussion?id=2971192%3ATopic%3A124153

bokohalal:

Hehehehe! You dey mind the yeye OP.
Unlike any other Nigerian ethnicity, an Edo can NEVER fight against the Omon n' Oba. Hermaphrodite, you are not an EDO

Have you taken time to investigate the points she mentioned and you found them to be untrue? Or are you a just being sentimental? So anyone who doesn't support what you prefer as the truth must be from the other side? What a twisted mental state you have!

bright007:
the original poster is a Yoruba Coward....who dash you Benin?

Just like your kings who are confused and overwhelmed by inferiority complex, you are true copy of your leaders

Whatever she may be, have you investigated the points she mentioned and you found them to be untrue?

It is better to base your arguments on facts so that you will not sound like a foool.

bokohalal:

Hehehehe! You dey mind the yeye OP.
Unlike any other Nigerian ethnicity, an Edo can NEVER fight against the Omon n' Oba. Hermaphrodite, you are not an EDO

Are you saying stating facts is the same as fighting against omon'oba?

Very funny

And do you know the meaning of omon'oba? It means Omo Oba, which translates to Prince in Yoruba.

bokohalal:

Hehehehe! You dey mind the yeye OP.
Unlike any other Nigerian ethnicity, an Edo can NEVER fight against the Omon n' Oba. Hermaphrodite, you are not an EDO

that's the difference between Bini and yoruba people. while we both give divine attribute to the Obas, yorubas have reserved the right to "refuse bullying" from our leaders....that's why tyrants never have it easy in Yoruba history. . ..the same cannot be said of Bini who are stuck with a man as leader and have no say in what he does. Call it Master - slave relationship. ..this is the cause of the delusion that Omo n'oba n'edo is higher than other Obas like Alaafin and Ooni which is so far from the truth

macof:


that's the difference between Bini and yoruba people. while we both give divine attribute to the Obas, yorubas have reserved the right to "refuse bullying" from our leaders....that's why tyrants never have it easy in Yoruba history. . ..the same cannot be said of Bini who are stuck with a man as leader and have no say in what he does. Call it Master - slave relationship. ..this is the cause of the delusion that Omo n'oba n'edo is higher than other Obas like Alaafin and Ooni which is so far from the truth

I have tried my damned best to ignore your bigoted logic being spewed on several threads.
The pomp and pageantry, the power and influence of an Omon Oba over his subjects is unrivaled by Yoruba kings. There is no bullying. Oba Ewuakpe's story should be instructive enough to show the contract between the subjects and their king in Benin.
Do you really think, in your wildest imagination, to ever read of a Bini Oba fighting his Olori in the marketplace? There are kings and there are KINGS. OBA n ose Oba , reigns in Benin City.
By the way, why have you not commented on Odia Ofeimun's article on why the Oba of Benin is first among "Yoruba" Kings?

bokohalal:


I have tried my damned best to ignore your bigoted logic being spewed on several threads.
The pomp and pageantry, the power and influence of an Omon Oba over his subjects is unrivaled by Yoruba kings. There is no bullying. Oba Ewuakpe's story should be instructive enough to show the contract between the subjects and their king in Benin.
Do you really think, in your wildest imagination, to ever read of a Bini Oba fighting his Olori in the marketplace? There are kings and there are KINGS. OBA n ose Oba , reigns in Benin City.
By the way, why have you not commented on Odia Ofeimun's article on why the Oba of Benin is first among "Yoruba" Kings?

. Oba Ewuakpe was never dethroned. ..people simply avoided him and guess what? they all returned eventually...u should know that


btw there's nothing bigoted about my posts. ..so one Oba fights his Olori it becomes the "Oba" way to go? don't you remember he was dethroned for that

Drchristian:
Firstly, pardon my grammar I know I'm poor at it but my messages will be passed across to everyone.

Contrary to the popular circulating stories regarding Oduduwa, I will share my own side as a bini girl. I can categorically tell nigerians we binis are from yorubas with the following;

Ile ubinu corrupted to ile bini

We binis knows our words although we often use other yoruba words as ours and is a shame some people wants to claim these words cheaply e.g

a. Pepeye(Duck), Gogbo e (everything), jeje, sha, ni, Omo, abi, ashawo, Egunsi, Oyibo/Oyinbo, Agbada, patapata, iyawo Osa (god) e.t.c

b. Oba is a yoruba word..I speak both bini and yoruba with these I should know.

c. Why are past oba of binis burried in Ife?

d. Why is Oduduwa festival always celebrated by we bini when he's not even d first Oba of bini or a bini warrior. why can't we have our own hero.

e. Oranmiyan, Oduduwa, Eweka and other past kings in bini are corrupted yoruba names.

f. Olokun, isango/sango, aiyelala, ifa, obatala e.t.c are yoruba native gods though.

g. Why is benin referred to as Oduduwa land by binis? afterall Oduduwa was bini prince that became king in ile-Ife.

h. Many street names are yoruba names.

I. Yoruba language is being taken as a subject in some part of Edo's secondary schools e.g d Akoko edos and Bini.

j. Why are 90% of towns in edo doesn't use d title Oba to refer to as their kings but ogiso e.t.c?

k. Study d map of Nigeria one should know d probable region all d Edo tribes migrated from not that majority will come out of few.

There is no doubt that some miscreants are behind this purported story carefully revised by lazy and jobless people that studied yoruba history to bring out their own this can cause hatred amongst the two ethnic groups but pls bear in mind that not only bini tribe in Edo-state, there are other tribes in bini that are even more in population than the binis.
Oba of binis and his cohorts and Igbos should desist from these unestablished facts period and focus on his job cause without yoruba there won't be Bini.

Miss Bini girl where did you read the history you are propagating here?
Of course you are a faceless Yoruba trying to stir trouble your the fake history you conjured up based largely on assumptions. Without historical facts. If I slap you

DeRay98:


Miss Bini girl where did you read the history you are propagating here?
Of course you are a faceless Yoruba trying to stir trouble your the fake history you conjured up based largely on assumptions. Without historical facts. If I slap you

are you frm Edo at all?

Drchristian:

are you frm Edo at all?

If you want to know check my profile and post you 'll find it out.
It's you who is either not Edo or a half Yoruba half Edo.

DeRay98:


If you want to know check my profile and post you 'll find it out.
It's you who is either not Edo or a half Yoruba half Edo.

I'm full benin (frm both parent )
but grew up in yorubaland but I'll tell you I know benin more than you who has never left Edo bf

DeRay98:


Miss Bini girl where did you read the history you are propagating here?
Of course you are a faceless Yoruba trying to stir trouble your the fake history you conjured up based largely on assumptions. Without historical facts. If I slap you

Obviously, you're ot part of us. Binis share a lot with yoruba. For instance, in our greetings we say uwese meaning ese or ose (thank you) in yoruba. The ijebu side of yoruba would say wese. Another common word is orisa. In Benin, it's osa. Omo in yoruba is same Omo in bini.

Drchristian:

I'm full benin (frm both parent )
but grew up in yorubaland but I'll tell you I know benin more than you who has never left Edo bf

You see what I mean, you were fed by the Yoruba and you are telling me you know Bini history...please get Bini history books and read what the Binis wrote by thems elves about themselves not what the Yoruba told you about Binis.
The fact that Bini and Yoruba history crossed part somewhere that's were mixture came in not that the Bini s originated from Yoruba. There is nowhere in history both parties fought war or anyone conquered the other.
The were the first people in Nigeria to attain European Education which was Portuguese 400yrs bef ore British conquered and United Nigeria.
Before European Education came to precolonial Nigerian tribes, Bini people kept their history by carving major event with symbols and drawing on ivory, bronze casting. The British raid and conquer of Bini in 1897 the stoke and destroyed what they couldn't carry.
My friend go read the history of parents home and not the exaggerated fabrications of the Yorubas

DeRay98:


You see what I mean, you were fed by the Yoruba and you are telling me you know Bini history...please get Bini history books and read what the Binis wrote by thems elves about themselves not what the Yoruba told you about Binis.
The fact that Bini and Yoruba history crossed part somewhere that's were mixture came in not that the Bini s originated from Yoruba. There is nowhere in history both parties fought war or anyone conquered the other.
The were the first people in Nigeria to attain European Education which was Portuguese 400yrs bef ore British conquered and United Nigeria.
Before European Education came to precolonial Nigerian tribes, Bini people kept their history by carving major event with symbols and drawing on ivory, bronze casting. The British raid and conquer of Bini in 1897 the stoke and destroyed what they couldn't carry.
My friend go read the history of parents home and not the exaggerated fabrications of the Yorubas

well said.
but you do agree to d fact dat my write ups are totally true? cuz I cannot lie against my people.

Yoruba doesn't have to feed me with lies to knw.I've done my own research. Some bini people sud stop constructing lies too.

"Uselu" was where prince Oranmiyan founded d first palace. he later ruled as a king for sometime bf he left his Son "Owomika"(Eweka) on his throne.

Do u knw dat Uselu is used in several towns in yorubalands closed to oba's palace.? Uselu is a yoruba word that means "Making of a town" or "d rulling of a town" it simply signifies a Yoruba man has ruled d Benin Palace in d past.

Oba is another yoruba word for king while Ogiso" is king our Benin.

Do u knw Oba Akenzua ii was born and raised in yoruba land.....he speaks only Yoruba language and he was d first Oba to banned Yoruba as d official language in bini's palace in 1934.

Drchristian:

well said.
but you do agree to d fact dat my write ups are totally true? cuz I cannot lie against my people.

Yoruba doesn't have to feed me with lies to knw.I've done my own research. Some bini people sud stop constructing lies too.

"Uselu" was where prince Oranmiyan founded d first palace. he later ruled as a king for sometime bf he left his Son "Owomika"(Eweka) on his throne.

Do u knw dat Uselu is used in several towns in yorubalands closed to oba's palace.? Uselu is a yoruba word that means "Making of a town" or "d rulling of a town" it simply signifies a Yoruba man has ruled d Benin Palace in d past.

Oba's use is another yoruba word in Benin while "Ogiso" is d translation in benin.

Do u knw Oba Akenzua ii was born and raised in yoruba land.....he speaks only Yoruba language and he was d first Oba to banned Yoruba as d official language in bini's palace in 1934.

DrChristian,

Very good that you have brought your ignorance of Benin history to this public forum. This is the problem of raising kids away from home. The history they know is tainted by their environment. I have had similar experiences with French Caribbean, Dutch Caribbean, British Caribbean descent people in Europe regarding history of slavery. They end up admitting that they have NEVER read a book written by an African on slavery. Only those written by descendants of the same slavemasters. Hence their biased approach of blaming only Africans for it. While this your claim would make you popular & be more accepted by your Yoruba hosts, it is a fallacy & capitulation. I have no doubt that you probably have a Yoruba boyfriend or husband by now. Women do all things for love.

First of all, Oranmiyan's abode was not at Uselu. It was in Egor/Useh axis. A couple of kilometres away from Uselu. Egor & Useh are two ancient villages that have practically grown together to meet Uselu and now all part of Benin metropolis. Reasons are simple. (1) Oranmiyan married daughter of the Enogie (Duke) of Egor called Ogiegor. An ancient duke of Ogodomigodo (as Benin was called then). (2) The Evian/Ogiamien family had emerged the most powerful ruler in Benin in the absence of an Oba-Godo (synonymous with Oba of Igodomigodo). This was before 1169 AD.

Evian/Ogiamien family ruled Benin City proper, supported by other chiefs who had all grown to enjoy the power they arrogated to themselves during the interregnum. That is, between the demise of last Ogiso to going to try bring back Ekaladerhan (by now Ododuwa: coined from Izoduwa & Ima d'odowa) from Ife. Evian/Ogiamien had grown so powerful he vowed to prevent anybody coming back to Benin to reclaim Oba-godo crown. The last thing a new king from afar needed was a war. Chief Oliha & other chiefs like Ero, Edohen, Eholor Nire etc who persevered also knew how powerful & resourceful Ogiamien was. For the time being, Egor, the domain of Oranmiyan's respected father-in-law was a safer/better place to be.

Uselu was a decent sized village/town and only three palaces are known there. (1) Iken Palace. Iken, a local chieftain & warrior died fighting imperial war against Owo. Oba promised to get the crown prince to hold forte for Iken, who had no male heir pending his return from war. Iken never returned. In Iken's memory, the Oba made all crown princes upon coming of age to leave Oba's palace & reside permanently Iken's palace. Around 500 years on, the tradition remains as Edayi n'Iken/Edaiken's (One holding forte for Iken's) palace for the crown prince. The other Uselu palace is the Queen Mother's palace. Started by Emperor/Oba Esigie of Benin for his mum, Queen Idia. A Queen mother if alive still lives there till today.

You narrated words that seem to have come from Yoruba language into Benin. Very interesting. But you clearly lack knowledge an area of humanities called Philology: study of origin of words. If you knew, you'd be aware that both Yoruba & Benin languages belong to the West-Benue-Congo/East Kwa branch of Niger-Congo language family. This East Kwa also includes Igbo, Idoma, Fon, Ewe (Ghana/Togo), Ebira/Igala (Yoruboid), etc.

The closer geographically & culturally two or more languages are, the more the words retained together or even cross-assimilated.
Note also that Benin Empire had swathes of provinces (something Yorubas like to deny today) in Eastern Yorubaland. In Ondo/Ekiti. The boundary between Oyo Empire & Benin Empire was agreed as Otun, today in Northern Ekiti. I'm a direct product of this imperial period in Eastern Yorubaland and known relatives are still all over the place. From Emure-Ekiti to Owo. With so many Yoruba subjects, many moving to Benin, the imperial capital, to show off their skills & talent for patronage, won't they come with their language?

In Edo state today, precisely Ovia, many people from Yorubaland populate dozens of villages & hamlets. A dialect similar to Owo Yoruba are still spoken alongside Benin. I mean just 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from Benin City. Including my village. You clearly fail to see the effect of that imperial period migration on Benin language because Yoruba people claim it never happened. But there are living evidence like me and thousands more.

As for Yoruba language spoken in Benin palace as proof, it also shows your shallow knowledge of royalty historically worldwide. That a different language is used among the inner circle of the palace is not new.

French was the court/palace language across Europe for centuries. King Louis XIV of France (lived 1638-1715) made France, in his long reign of 72 years, even more of an epitome of high culture & style. More than ever. It also became the language of international diplomacy, basically until 1945 as America gained more influence post WW2.

Most British monarchs including Henry VIII that founded Anglican Church, and his courtiers were fluent in French, a century earlier. When Europeans were scrambling for Africa in Berlin in 1884-85 conference, talks were conducted in French. In fact, to be a courtier in King of England's palace, you had to try hard to use connections to do some training in the palace of the French King (very hard to get) or in the palaces of one of the dukes of France back then.

Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Charles speak very good French till today. QEII is of German origin. It does not make them all come from France.

In royalty, tradition and custom are retained for centuries, albeit minor changes over time. Coming from Ife, Oranyan, a Yoruba speaker, came with his courtiers too. Many of whom stayed behind in Benin after Oranmiyan left.

The Yoruba courtiers certainly would have spoken Yoruba within the royal court and may have helped to create a certain linguistic culture there. One of those who came with Oranmiyan is Oloton, and his descendant, Chief Oloton remains keeper of the royal ancestral shrine till today.

You also made a false claim. Oba Akenzua was not born in Yorubaland. He attended King's College Lagos. Not unusual to spend many years as a teenager in Lagos and learn the language.

TO BE CONTINUED..........

You also quickly mentioned "Owomika" as evidence of Yoruba ruling Benin. Again here at best, you did a very superficial research. Nobody has said Oranmiyan did not come from Ife.

Like I made clear above, Owomika was possibly surrounded by many Yoruba speaking courtiers. And kids understand languages spoken around them daily.
But as a child he had speech disorder. If you're a medic, as your moniker implies, you should remember from your Pediatrics & Child Health rotation what these disorders are. "Owomika!" was his exclamation upon winning a game of seed. Seed games are common all over Southern Nigeria. Owomika/Eweka became his regnal name. Akhue seed & Ogirise are still played till today in Edo.

You need to remember that by around 1169 AD, Yorubaland was not this relatively homogeneous tribe you have now. The term Yoruba did not even exist. You were Ife, Oyo, Owo, Ekiti, Ijebu, Awori, Egba, Ibadan, etc. Until Ajayi Crowther standardised Yoruba language in writing, people spoke very different dialects all over Yorubaland.
Similar standardisations occured in Germany by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, In England by Shakespeare, earlier in Greco-Roman antiquity by Strabo, Pliny, Plutarch and others through writing.

You cannot take a "local champion" view to history, culture, philology & anthropology. You consider them in a universal context, noting the local peculiarity in a comparative manner.

I'm writing all this to jolt diaspora raised people with very tenuous links of blood to Benin (without the culture) but still want to masquerade as an authority in Benin history. Under the guise of "I'm a Benin person". You have a lot more to learn about Benin.

AreaFada2:


DrChristian,

Very good that you have brought your ignorance of Benin history to this public forum. This is the problem of raising kids away from home. The history they know is tainted by their environment. I have had similar experiences with French Caribbeans, Dutch Caribbean, British Caribbean descent people in Europe regarding history of slavery. They end up admitting that they have NEVER read a book written by an African on slavery. Only those written by descendants of the same slavemasters. Hence their biased approach of blaming only Africans for it. While this your claim would make you popular & be more accepted by your Yoruba hosts, it is a fallacy & capitulation. I have no doubt that you probably have a Yoruba boyfriend or husband by now. Women do all things for love.

First of all, Oranmiyan's abode was not at Uselu. It was in Egor/Useh axis. A couple of kilometres away from Uselu. Egor & Uselu are two ancient villages that have practically grown together to meet Uselu and now all part of Benin metropolis. Reasons are simple. (1) Oranmiyan married daughter of the Enogie (Duke) of Egor called Ogiegor. An ancient duke of Ogodomigodo (as Benin was called then). (2) The Evian/Ogiamien family had emerged the most powerful ruler in Benin in the absence of an Oba-Godo (synonymous with Oba of Igodomigodo). This was before 1169 AD.

Evian/Ogiamien family ruled Benin City proper, supported by other chiefs who had all grown to enjoy the power they arrogated to themselves during the interregnum. That is, between the demise of last Ogiso to going to try bring back Ekaladerhan (by now Ododuwa: coined from Izoduwa & Ima d'odowa) from Ife. Evian/Ogiamien had grown so powerrful he vowed to prevent anybody coming back to Benin to reclaim Oba-godo crown. The last thing a new king needed was a war. Chief Oliha & other chiefs like Ero, Edohen, Eholor Nire etc who persevered also knew how powerful & resourceful Ogiamien was. For the time being, Egor new the respected father-in-law was a safer/better place to be.

Uselu was a decent sized village and only three palaces are known there. (1) Iken Palace. Iken, a local chieftain & warrior died fighting imperial war against Owo. Oba promised to get the crown prince to hold forte for Iken, who had no male heir pending his return from war. Iken never returned. In Iken's memory, the Oba made all crown princes upon coming of age to leave Oba's palace & reside permanently Iken's palace. Around 500 years on, the tradition remains as Edayi n'Iken/Edaiken's (One holding forte for Iken's) palace for the crown prince. The other Uselu palace is the Queen Mother's palace. Started by Emperor/Oba Esigie of Benin for his mum, Queen Idia. A Queen mother if alive still lives there till today.

You narrated words that seem to have come from Yoruba language into Benin. Very interesting. But you clearly lack knowledge an area of humanities called Philology: study of origin of words. If you knew, you'd be aware that both Yoruba & Benin languages belong to the West-Benue-Congo/East Kwa branch of Niger-Congo language family. This East Kwa also includes Igbo, Idoma, Fon, Ewe (Ghana/Togo), Ebira/Igala (Yoruboid), etc.

The closer geographically & culturally two or more languages are, the more the words retained together or even cross-assimilated.
Note also that Benin Empire had swathes of provinces (something Yorubas like to deny today) in Eastern Yorubaland. In Ondo/Ekiti. The boundary between Oyo Empire & Benin Empire was agreed as Otun. Today in Northern Ekiti. I'm a direct product of this imperial period in Eastern Yorubaland and known relatives are still all over the place. From Emure-Ekiti to Owo. With so many Yoruba subjects, many moving to Benin, the imperial capital, to show off their skills & talent for patronage, won't they come with their language?

In Edo state today, precisely Ovia, many people from Yorubaland populate dozens of villages & hamlets. A dialect similar to Owo Yoruba are still spoken alongside Benin. I mean just 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from Benin City. Including my village. Your clearly fail to see the effect of that imperial period on Benin language because Yoruba people claim it never happened. But there living evidence like me and thousands more.

As for Yoruba language spoken in Benin palace as proof, it also shows your shallow knowledge of royalty historically worldwide. That a different language is used among the inner circle of the palace is not new.

French was the court/palace language across Europe for centuries. King Louis XIV of France (lived 1638-1715) made France, in his long reign of 72 years, even more of an epitome of high culture & style. More than ever. It also became the language of international diplomacy, basically until 1945 as America gained more influence post WW2.

Most British monarchs including Henry VIII that founded Anglican Church, and his courtiers were fluent in French, a century earlier. When Europeans were scrambling for Africa in Berlin in 1884-85 conference, talks were conducted in French.
Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Charles speak very good French till today. QEII is of German origin. It does not make them all come from France.

In royalty, tradition and custom are retained for centuries, albeit minor changes over time. Coming from Ife, Oranyan, a Yoruba speaker, came with his courtiers too. Many of whom stayed behind in Benin after Oranmiyan left.

The Yoruba courtiers certainly would have spoken Yoruba within the royal court and may have helped to create a certain linguistic culture there. One of those who came with Oranmiyan is Oloton, and his descendant, Chief Oloton remains keeper of the royal ancestral shrine till today.

You also made a false claim. Oba Akenzua was not born in Yorubaland. He attended King's College Lagos. Not unusual to spend many years as a teenager in Lagos and learn the language.

TO BE CONTINUED..........

You also quickly mentioned "Owomika" as evidence of Yoruba ruling Benin. Again here at best, you did a very superficial research. Nobody has said Oranmiyan did not come from Ife.

Like I made clear above, Owomika was possibly surrounded by many Yoruba speaking courtiers. And kids understand languages spoken around them daily.
But as a child he had speech disorder. If you're a medic, as your moniker implies, you should remember from your Pediatrics & Child Health rotation what these disorders are. "Owomika!" was his exclamation upon winning a game of seed. Seed games are common all over Southern Nigeria. Owomika/Eweka became his regnal name. Akhue seed & Ogirise are still played till today in Edo.

You need to remember that by around 1169 AD, Yorubaland was not this relatively homogeneous tribe you have now. The term Yoruba did not even exist. You were Ife, Oyo, Owo, Ekiti, Ijebu, Awori, Egba, Ibadan, etc. Until Ajayi Crowther standardised Yoruba language in writing, people spoke very different dialects all over Yorubaland.
Similar standardisations occured in Germany by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, In England by Shakespeare, earlier in Greco-Roman antiquity by Strabo, Pliny, Plutarch and others through writing.

You cannot take a "local champion" view to history, culture, philology & anthropology. You consider them in a universal context, noting the local peculiarity in a comparative manner.

I'm writing all this to jolt diaspora raised people with very tenuous links of blood to Benin (without the culture) but still want to masquerade as an authority in Benin history. Under the guise of "I'm a Benin person". You have a lot more to learn about Benin.

stop trying to lie to her face and that of us all.


Oranmiyan founded his palace at Uselu, the relationship he had with the woman from Ego doesn't mean his palace was there.

notice how you didn't mention the 3rd palace( or should I say fortress) at Uselu? you mentioned Iken which the Edaiken resides, you mentioned the residence of the Iyoba. ..what about the 3rd? don't try to deceive people as if we are fools


listen! you claim oduduwa is a corruption of a bini name ...why the inconsistencies? you don't even know which name. .. is it imadoduwa or izoduwa. .. pick one cus it can't be both
also, where did the "odu" go? you only bring names with "duwa" ending. ..
when the full name oduduwa holds a significant meaning in Yoruba language

it's no shame to accept a foreign king my Edo brother! this inferiority complex is sickening


ife history as it that oduduwa aka Adimula was from the community on Ora hill before he lead a war into the main Ife consisting of 13 confederate Communes of the valley. ..nothing about bini mentioned

AreaFada2:


DrChristian,

Very good that you have brought your ignorance of Benin history to this public forum. This is the problem of raising kids away from home. The history they know is tainted by their environment. I have had similar experiences with French Caribbean, Dutch Caribbean, British Caribbean descent people in Europe regarding history of slavery. They end up admitting that they have NEVER read a book written by an African on slavery. Only those written by descendants of the same slavemasters. Hence their biased approach of blaming only Africans for it. While this your claim would make you popular & be more accepted by your Yoruba hosts, it is a fallacy & capitulation. I have no doubt that you probably have a Yoruba boyfriend or husband by now. Women do all things for love.

First of all, Oranmiyan's abode was not at Uselu. It was in Egor/Useh axis. A couple of kilometres away from Uselu. Egor & Useh are two ancient villages that have practically grown together to meet Uselu and now all part of Benin metropolis. Reasons are simple. (1) Oranmiyan married daughter of the Enogie (Duke) of Egor called Ogiegor. An ancient duke of Ogodomigodo (as Benin was called then). (2) The Evian/Ogiamien family had emerged the most powerful ruler in Benin in the absence of an Oba-Godo (synonymous with Oba of Igodomigodo). This was before 1169 AD.

Evian/Ogiamien family ruled Benin City proper, supported by other chiefs who had all grown to enjoy the power they arrogated to themselves during the interregnum. That is, between the demise of last Ogiso to going to try bring back Ekaladerhan (by now Ododuwa: coined from Izoduwa & Ima d'odowa) from Ife. Evian/Ogiamien had grown so powerful he vowed to prevent anybody coming back to Benin to reclaim Oba-godo crown. The last thing a new king from afar needed was a war. Chief Oliha & other chiefs like Ero, Edohen, Eholor Nire etc who persevered also knew how powerful & resourceful Ogiamien was. For the time being, Egor, the domain of Oranmiyan's respected father-in-law was a safer/better place to be.

Uselu was a decent sized village/town and only three palaces are known there. (1) Iken Palace. Iken, a local chieftain & warrior died fighting imperial war against Owo. Oba promised to get the crown prince to hold forte for Iken, who had no male heir pending his return from war. Iken never returned. In Iken's memory, the Oba made all crown princes upon coming of age to leave Oba's palace & reside permanently Iken's palace. Around 500 years on, the tradition remains as Edayi n'Iken/Edaiken's (One holding forte for Iken's) palace for the crown prince. The other Uselu palace is the Queen Mother's palace. Started by Emperor/Oba Esigie of Benin for his mum, Queen Idia. A Queen mother if alive still lives there till today.

You narrated words that seem to have come from Yoruba language into Benin. Very interesting. But you clearly lack knowledge an area of humanities called Philology: study of origin of words. If you knew, you'd be aware that both Yoruba & Benin languages belong to the West-Benue-Congo/East Kwa branch of Niger-Congo language family. This East Kwa also includes Igbo, Idoma, Fon, Ewe (Ghana/Togo), Ebira/Igala (Yoruboid), etc.

The closer geographically & culturally two or more languages are, the more the words retained together or even cross-assimilated.
Note also that Benin Empire had swathes of provinces (something Yorubas like to deny today) in Eastern Yorubaland. In Ondo/Ekiti. The boundary between Oyo Empire & Benin Empire was agreed as Otun, today in Northern Ekiti. I'm a direct product of this imperial period in Eastern Yorubaland and known relatives are still all over the place. From Emure-Ekiti to Owo. With so many Yoruba subjects, many moving to Benin, the imperial capital, to show off their skills & talent for patronage, won't they come with their language?

In Edo state today, precisely Ovia, many people from Yorubaland populate dozens of villages & hamlets. A dialect similar to Owo Yoruba are still spoken alongside Benin. I mean just 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from Benin City. Including my village. You clearly fail to see the effect of that imperial period migration on Benin language because Yoruba people claim it never happened. But there are living evidence like me and thousands more.

As for Yoruba language spoken in Benin palace as proof, it also shows your shallow knowledge of royalty historically worldwide. That a different language is used among the inner circle of the palace is not new.

French was the court/palace language across Europe for centuries. King Louis XIV of France (lived 1638-1715) made France, in his long reign of 72 years, even more of an epitome of high culture & style. More than ever. It also became the language of international diplomacy, basically until 1945 as America gained more influence post WW2.

Most British monarchs including Henry VIII that founded Anglican Church, and his courtiers were fluent in French, a century earlier. When Europeans were scrambling for Africa in Berlin in 1884-85 conference, talks were conducted in French. In fact, to be a courtier in King of England's palace, you had to try hard to use connections to do some training in the palace of the French King (very hard to get) or in the palaces of one of the dukes of France back then.

Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Charles speak very good French till today. QEII is of German origin. It does not make them all come from France.

In royalty, tradition and custom are retained for centuries, albeit minor changes over time. Coming from Ife, Oranyan, a Yoruba speaker, came with his courtiers too. Many of whom stayed behind in Benin after Oranmiyan left.

The Yoruba courtiers certainly would have spoken Yoruba within the royal court and may have helped to create a certain linguistic culture there. One of those who came with Oranmiyan is Oloton, and his descendant, Chief Oloton remains keeper of the royal ancestral shrine till today.

You also made a false claim. Oba Akenzua was not born in Yorubaland. He attended King's College Lagos. Not unusual to spend many years as a teenager in Lagos and learn the language.

TO BE CONTINUED..........

You also quickly mentioned "Owomika" as evidence of Yoruba ruling Benin. Again here at best, you did a very superficial research. Nobody has said Oranmiyan did not come from Ife.

Like I made clear above, Owomika was possibly surrounded by many Yoruba speaking courtiers. And kids understand languages spoken around them daily.
But as a child he had speech disorder. If you're a medic, as your moniker implies, you should remember from your Pediatrics & Child Health rotation what these disorders are. "Owomika!" was his exclamation upon winning a game of seed. Seed games are common all over Southern Nigeria. Owomika/Eweka became his regnal name. Akhue seed & Ogirise are still played till today in Edo.

You need to remember that by around 1169 AD, Yorubaland was not this relatively homogeneous tribe you have now. The term Yoruba did not even exist. You were Ife, Oyo, Owo, Ekiti, Ijebu, Awori, Egba, Ibadan, etc. Until Ajayi Crowther standardised Yoruba language in writing, people spoke very different dialects all over Yorubaland.
Similar standardisations occured in Germany by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, In England by Shakespeare, earlier in Greco-Roman antiquity by Strabo, Pliny, Plutarch and others through writing.

You cannot take a "local champion" view to history, culture, philology & anthropology. You consider them in a universal context, noting the local peculiarity in a comparative manner.

I'm writing all this to jolt diaspora raised people with very tenuous links of blood to Benin (without the culture) but still want to masquerade as an authority in Benin history. Under the guise of "I'm a Benin person". You have a lot more to learn about Benin.

Prince Charles speak very good French till today. QEII is of German origin. It does not make them all come from France.

In royalty, tradition and custom are retained for centuries, albeit minor changes over time. Coming from Ife, Oranyan, a Yoruba speaker, came with his courtiers too. Many of whom stayed behind in Benin after Oranmiyan left.

The Yoruba courtiers certainly would have spoken Yoruba within the royal court and may have helped to create a certain linguistic culture there. One of those who came with Oranmiyan is Oloton, and his descendant, Chief Oloton remains keeper of the royal ancestral shrine till today.

You also made a false claim. Oba Akenzua was not born in Yorubaland. He attended King

I doff my cap for you. .

I am amazed with the fabricated story by some of you from Bini had began to tell the world from this year's February 2016 before the demise of the Omo n' Oba .Anyway truth can can only subdued for a while but will always manifest no matter how many years it takes . I want to direct some questions to areafada2 because it is obvious he knows a lot about Bini history. My question are these; why didnt Oduduwa return if he was a prince in Binin? why was the King's body part of the Oba of Bini(mostly the head) buried in IFE in ancient times?, why do Bini believe they came out from UHE(IFE)?,apart from UHE( IFE) that Bini also claim, where did they migrated from to the (UHE) IFE? why do Bini claim to migrate from UHE(IFE) if Oduduwa wasn't of Yoruba stock? correct the spelling of the the place of migration if it wasn't spelt perfectly..I am a Yoruba blood 100%...Let
me be informed

Do you Bini know that Eweka the Great was a baby when Oranmiyan left Bini? How then was the Ooni is a son to the Oba of Bini?... ... a puzzle you never knew... Bini is a pride to yoruba and we have never waged war at you( Bini) even at the height of Yoruba supremacy in this part of the world between 17/18/part of 19 century( before A very powerful prince of Oyo (Afonja) came with other Yoruba that felt Islam was better than the own spiritual power and few Fulanis to destroy OYO ILE) which stretch to Ghana simply and it was because we have always seen you as our own brother but can you recall how many places some Bini princes had waged war against us but still we only defended our territory and others the princes are absorbed .. That's the duty of the big brother over his younger to always show love....Rest my case today