₦airaland Forum

Igboid:
Our folklore is not very explicit about how the war happened.
But it was emphatic on the war. There was a full out war between the Binis owners of Idu and the Oba from Ile ife who established Benin kingdom, the brutal war and upheaval forced the Igbo residents in Idu scampering back to East.

From the Ogiemien sources, the Yorubas came into Idu palace initially peacefully through marriage arrangements but with long term plan of taking control of the kingdom once they have established enough strong hold, which they indeed did.

TAO11:
Ogane is not even a Nigerian word per se.

However (Oghene) which the Europeans attempted to render is what the Binis (from whom the Europeans gather the data) call the Ooni of Ife till date in their historical-cultural setting.

The attached is from R.E. Bradbury who devoted many years of intensive anthropological field work on Benin and the Edo-speaking peoples and emerged the outstanding authority on the subject.

TAO11:
Okay now it appears we are saying the same thing in that:

You have distinguished between (1)the original ‘long term’ (or should I say ‘eternal term’) objective of installing a Yoruba monarchy which was quite mutually agreed with the vast majority of the Edison.

And (2) the incidental fighting against the resistance to that objective by some of the Edo elders.

Yes there were some fightings which were only incidental because of resistance to a prior-agreement. But this must not be conflated with the idea that the Ife party left Ife unilaterally on a military expedition.

In fact, some of the incidental fighting are still reeanacted till date during the coronation. The incoming Oba representing an Ife prince must fight a mock battle with a rep from the Ogiso dynasty.

Bkayyy:
You sound reasonable. I won't say there was minimal fighting because there was much hostilities that made oramiyan to leave and call Idu "Ile ibinu" (land of vexation) which the town goes with till date. Later his grand son cemented the Oba system in Bini

OfoIgbo:
You can ascribe any quality you may wish, on R.E Bradbury. One thing I know is that the EAST is not WEST.

What you should do first of all is to determine the meaning of
Ughene n'Uhe mean?
What does it mean in Yoruba? If it doesn't mean anything in Yoruba, well, what does it mean in Edo?
What does Ughene(Oghene) mean in Edo?
What does Uhe mean in Edo?

That will help in solving the problem. Because if Ughene stands for Ruler or King or Leader, then it shouldn't be seen as specific to a single ruler in Ife.

But if Ughene is a specific name for a particular Ooni, then OGANE must be a specific name of an Eze Nri.

I suspect Uhe may mean IFE. The question now is what does UGHENE mean.

One clear point here is that the Portuguese have already established that the Kingdom of interest, was to the east of Benin, and that can't be expunged, ever.

Bkayyy:
LOL , you just shot yourself in the leg, no in the scrotum.
The person you are bragging about that said Ohafia is not Igbo is from Ohafia and goes by the title "Ohamadike Ndigbo".
I believe you are educated. Now read that article again and see that he didn't say that Ohafia was not Igbo but he acclaimed that some migrants from Idu came to the south of Igbo land known as Bende (Be ndị Igbo) which means land of Igbos

TAO11:
Thank you.

No I didn’t call it minimal fighting. I called it incidental fighting.

And the point about the fighting being incidental is that it differentiates between a kind of fighting which was pre-planned from the outset as the objective of the trip — e.g. a military expedition intended to subjugate other people which has been planned from home without any need to inform the other party beforehand.

But in this case that wasn’t the reality. The fighting took place only incidentally in reaction to some resistance they met on ground — and the extent of the resistance determines the extent of the fight in response.

I hope I’m quite clear.

Atigba:
Did I say Ohafia are Benin or Igbo

They are Idu

Atigba:
Did I say Ohafia are Benin or Igbo
They are Idu

OfoIgbo:
Chai!!!!!! I just caught you pants down.

I have just asked a Delta person, and he told me that OGHENE means LORD.

This is definitely not a name that is unique to any particular Ooni.

So for any Eze Nri, the Binis could practically describe him as Oghene n'Nri or in fact any name that will accord proper honour to the title of EZE NRI

I knew you Yorubas were trying to hide something. OGHENE is not specific to just the Oonis of Ife.

So the kingdom to the East observation, remains valid. The OGHENE (OGANE) n'NRI remains the G of interest, that authorised the coronation of any ancient Benin Obas.

frankdoz:
THE RETURN OF SOME IGBOS THAT MIGRATED TO IDU/IGODOMIGODO AND IDAH BEFORE 800AD.

Recently I have heard a few of people who say some igbo speakers who also bear igbo native names are not igbos , some claim they came from either Benin or igala .Or some self acclaimed historians claim igbos are not of same ancestors.Some even went ahead to say igbo was imposed on them.There is a saying that a lie repeated too often will be assumed to be true.This article is to address some of the misconceptions and prove that igbos are one people, same ancestor wether your migration story is from Idu(Benin) or igala. .

1.Idah and igodomigodo/idu are part of the earliest sphere of igbo migration before 8th century AD. Migration is part of human evolution and humans are not static. Igbos have always moved from one location to the other in search of greener pastures and arable land for farming from prehistoric times and igbos are known for that even till today.

2.According to Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) ,the igbo area of southeastern Nigeria is one of the most populous region of sub-saharan Africa ,with a human density of 1,000 per square mile.In addition, in the book,cambridge history of Africa before 1600AD,it stated that the population distribution of eastern Nigeria is a high density belt.So it's not surprising that igbos from prehistoric times had migrated to Idah and Delta-Benin environs due to high population density in search for arable virgin land for farming which was there major occupation .This movement is estimated to have occurred before 8th century AD, long before the advent of kingdoms in idah and Benin which subsequently led to the recoil of these igbos back to the eastern region.

3.Igbos have formed part of the nucleus of the multiethnic population at Idah before the settling of igalas and advent of igala kingdom. Its on record, as documented by G,T BASDEN(among the igbos of Nigeria) and Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) that the awka blacksmithers travel beyond the borders of ibo country ,north into igala, ibaji, idoma,warri and beyond, casting bronze,brass iron bells,hoes,according to specifications.Most times awka blacksmithers spend months and years away from igboland plying there trade and the possibility of establishing igbo settlements at these distant places can not be ruled out.This trade is estimated to have begun before 8th century AD (igbo ukwu bronzes) but however it became apparent in the 14th century AD following excavations made at awka (D.D HARTLE, 1966 page 26),GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD page 522.

4.Awka Smith always worked alongside Nri priest(patron and founder of the Ozo title) and they made and fabricated the ozor staff(ofor) ,iron bells and other ritual staves for the Nri priest. It's on record that the Nri Influence extended beyond the igbo sphere into southern igala where igbos had earlier migrated and Idu/igodomigodo which later became Benin ,Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel).

5.Nri Influence (9AD) extended beyond the shores of igboland into south of igala and igodomigodo(igbanke igbos in present Edo state) all of which igbos had earlier migrated in prehistoric times,(according to a book GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD by M.El Fasi) .On the west of Niger River,Nri priests along side Awka blacksmithers Made Ofor wands(staffs) for igbos along that axis(from Anioma down to Benin(igbanke igbos).Ichi facial scarification were also Noted among igbos in Delta and eastern side.They maintained ties of loyalty with Nri priestly cult by cleansing grave social infractions and abominations and conferring of rights of leadership (interesting narratives of olaudah equano 1745AD and Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) .So there was a prehistoric movement of igbos up north (idah) ,followed by migration and drift downward of igala from Wakuri in Taraba (Attah of igala HRH Dr Michael Idakwo-punch 2017) and migration of some igala into northern igboland to seek refuge due to raids in the extreme north of igala by sokoto jihadists in 1834 (igbo-igala borderlands by Austin.J.Shelton page 18).Igala later(late 1800) imperial Influence on northern igboland was kept in check by activities of the Aro.

In an interview granted to Obi agbogidi chukwunwike anyasi of odumuje-unor kingdom, delta state,he clearly stated that Nri priests performed rituals at the palace of Oba of Benin (genesis of migration of Ezechima to Benin from igboland) and this point was further supported by M.D W Jeffrey in his book Oreli mask Nigerian field, volume 10.He noted that Nri priests were performing certain ritual functions at the installation of a new oba of Benin.

6.As noted by Nancy Neaher,Nri Influence extended beyond northern igboland into idah where igbo settlements had earlier dispersed(ibaji,akpanya, olamaboro) from prehistoric times before the establishment of igala kingdom .Nri priests,along side Awka blacksmithers made iron bells, hoes,armlets,leg bands in igala and took over production (Boston 1964). R.N Henderson noted in the book GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD ) that royal bells made by awka blacksmithers were included in the burial of igala kings.In exchange for the services rendered, the awka blacksmithers brought back dried fish,maize,yams,elephant hair necklaces and horses which they used for sacrifice Alusi (Nancy Neaher ). The true igala/Benin migrants Into igboland are few and mostly located at the igbo-igala ,Benin-igbanke igbos borderlands and those migrants met existing igbo settlements on ground.

7. Its important to note that the subsequent rise of igala kingdom in the north and Benin empire in south led to the decline of Nri Influence in the igbo country that span from the borders of Benin (igbanke igbos in present Edo state ) down south and akpotos(igala/idah) up north and ijaw being there closest neighbours in the Delta borders (G.T BASDEN "among the ibos of Nigeria) page 28.

8.With the rise of Benin kingdom in the south and hostilities in the kingdom, many of these igbos that had migrated there prior to this time (Ezechima, Akalaka etc) began to return home.There deliberate migration towards the east, crossing the Niger river back to Onitsha shows they knew where they came from.As already noted in the book, cambridge history of Africa before 1600AD,page 273,the density of population in eastern region was already high before 1600AD when Ezechima and family is said to have left Idu/igodomigodo. So migrating in reverse, against an already densely populated area must be a deliberate move heading home and its unlikely they arrived onitsha a virgin land.

9.Thesame recoil event Also happened with igbos already spread up north to idah.The igala kingdom and subsequent hostilities,many of these igbos returned back to Nsuka,Enugu Ezike northern igbo borders. please note.non of the said igbos that returned from Benin or idah spoke any other language on arrival to igboland except igbo.They all had igbo names and spoke igbo on arrival to igboland. No history book documented they spoke any other language other than igbo.This further proves that they had already migrated there in prehistoric times and only returned back home.As igbos have always been decentralized societies,with the priestly cult of Nri widely known and fulfilling the needs of igbos at that time all over igboland, the system of government is not military. it's not surprising if the history of early kings of agbor are from Benin. origin of kingship is not always origin of a people. The rise of igala or Benin kingdom may have Imposed some conventions among igbos within there sphere, but that doesn't take away the fact they have always been there and retained there igbo identity.

10.So contrary to what some believe that some igbos are not of same ancestor, igbos have always been one and ancestral in there land.wether your migration story says your ancestors migrated from around Benin or igala, igbos have always been igbos and those that migrated to distant places only returned back home because archaeological findings have shown igbos are aboriginal occupants of southern Nigeria with settlements dating since 3000BC.(Thurstan Shaw-Radiocabon dating in Nigeria, 1968.

By professor Ofoegbu R.N with contributions from Dr Benson and Dr Opone.C

Dated 28/7/2020.
REFERENCES:
1.G.T BASDEN "among the ibos of Nigeria ,first published 1921.
2.Cambridge history of Africa from 1600AD to 1790,first edited by Rìchard Gray,by J.D Fage.
3.GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD by M.El Fasi)
4. HRH,Obi agbogidi chukwunwike Anyasi of odumuje-unor kingdom, delta state,
5.Interesting narratives of the life of Olaudah Equano 1745AD.
6.Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel,Itinerant metalsmiths of southern Nigeria.
7.Oral tradition of UmuEri clan on the founding of igala by Eri.
8.(igbo-igala borderlands by Austin.J.Shelton page 18).

Courtesy Chris Uniman

Bkayyy:
You said but the professor said otherwise. He was listing the southern Igbo clans he called bende (be ndị Igbo)

Atigba:
I am not interested in what he called them presently, whether Igbo or not.

I cite that articles to show you, he acknowledged his ancestry Igodomigodo.

Not Israel

Obodo Idu

TAO11:
I wrote it in my comment that Oghene means “great lord”. And I didn’t not call it a particular name of a particular Ooni.

Make sure to read what you intend to reply to before replying. And please get less emotional.

OfoIgbo:
Two messages ago, I asked you to find out what OGHENE n'UHE meant, and you didn't provide that. I suppose you didn't want to provide that because I was already homing in, and you could smell I was on the right path. You should have used that opportunity to remind me, that you initially wrote that Oghene means Great Lord

Now that we know that OGHENE means LORD. What it means is that OGHENE is not a specific Ooni's name neither is it specific and solely the Bini word for Ooni.

An OGHENE could be applicable to any major ruler in the north or south.

For Nri, it will be OGHENE n'NRI or OGHENE n'NSHI, so for you to carry on this your argument, chiefly because of the word OGHENE, shows how desperate you all are, to corner an Nri achievement, on the basis of a noun that is not specific to Ooni. Or did you think that Ooni is/was the only personality that the word OGHENE could be used for? I have never seen such desperation.

The OGHENE (OGANE) from the east is none other than the Eze Nri, that reigns supreme over the KINGDOM TO THE EAST OF BENIN

TAO11:
I have debunked you severely on this isue and you had to run away to another thread (this one)

OfoIgbo:
I still intend to hammer you, regarding the message you sent out some days ago, but obviously this OGHENE point will have a pride of place in my coming rebuttal.

OGHENE simply means LORD. It is not specific to Ooni. It is clear you are being dismembered ungraciously. Your praise singers are nowhere to be found.

OGHENE is not specific to the Ooni. I hope you get this point.

TAO11:
https://www.nairaland.com/6064389/return-igbos-migrated-idu-igodomigodo/2#93026714

Bkayyy:
This is a third person narrative by the yoruba, they specifically put the title oghene n'uhe to claim the glory of Nri.
Ask yourself this question, is ife located to the east of Benin while coming from the Atlantic Ocean?
When did Yoruba start using na in their language?
Though the yoruba lordship over Bini cannot be overemphasized

TAO11:
I already wrote it in my comments that ”Oghene” as a Bini word means “great lord”.

Moreover, nobody (no scholar) said it is a particular name of a particular Ooni, just as Eze is nobody’s particular name.

Always make sure to read what you intend to reply to before replying. And please drink some water and get less emotional.

Rather than attempt to catch me pants down, why not do the “proper” thing of catching historical scholarship pants down as seen in the attachments below??

TAO11:
No it’s not a third person narrative from a Yoruba. And I never claimed it was uttered by the Yorubas.

The first attachment is from Dr. R.E. Bradbury who did his anthropological field work on Benin kingdom and the Edo speaking peoples.

And the second is from Adam Knobler’s work entitled “Mythology and Diplomacy in the Age of Exploration”, (2016).

You may also refer to Oba Erediauwa’s work entitled “The Benin-Ife Connection”, (2004), he also admitted that the Ife king is known [b]by the Binis as “Oghene n’Uhe”.

[Try and check it out, but please note that I am not validating each and every single thing he said, I am only pointing out what he himself admit about the phrase “Oghene n’Uhe”].

Now regarding your question about “East” this has been long dealt with by historians. You may check out this link to see the details on that and some more information. https://www.nairaland.com/6064389/return-igbos-migrated-idu-igodomigodo/2#93026714

The link should eventually take you to my comment where I detailed out the historians’ conclusions and evidence step by step.

[Apologies if you find some of my comment in those links to be offensive, I was merely responding in kind to some ignorant and insulting persons who were being very distracting and insecure].

MelesZenawi:
There is nothing like igodomigodo.


It is a moonlight tale.


Ipobs and uselessness are like 5 and 6.

Bkayyy:
Stop being ridiculous, your post is there for you to read. He never said ohafia was from idu, he only listed the clans at Southern Igbo land which includes ohafia, Arochukwu, Abam and others.

OfoIgbo:
One of your names IBINU. In Igbo IBI NU means "IF Elephantiasis of the scrotum HEARS"

Another of your names ILO OBINU. In Igbo, it means The Way to Bitter Hearts. Basically the Road to Very wicked people

Bkayyy:
You've said it all. I told him that he is the first Benin man I've seen to openly acknowledge the existence of Idu, the rest are scared of their historical lies being shattered. They know that Idu which is present day Bini was a vassal of Nri, and Ndigbo lived and worked there as citizens of Nri. Nri was in charge of Idu spirituality. But now these contemporary Yoruba Bini people are trying to twist history, deny there yoruba ancestry and claim some Igbos. Claiming mythical migrations from their tiny bini with low population density.
For emigration to occur in ancient times the place to be emigrated from must first have a high population density (Scientifically proven) not the other way round. If to say that the mystical emigration from Bini to Igboland is true, there is supposed to be notable wars or ethnic cleansing in Igboland because the inhabitants can't share their limited space with the Bini foreigners. But there is nothing like a war between the people coming back with the natives which proves that they were merely returning home.
The funniest is how this confused fellow says that Igbo Language and customs were forcefully imposed on his acclaimed Idu citizens without references. Another one is how him from far away Edo is linking ancestry of people that knows themselves as Igbos.
Unlike ikwerre that are not certain of their history, Ohafia, Arọ Abam are notable Igbo militarized clans. The only reason we are discussing about this now is that Ohafia, Arọ and Abam are not close to Bini, if they were, by now there will be nothing like Bini.
I repeat again, by now the head of the Oba of Bini will be among the three heads used in Ohafia war dance

OfoIgbo:
One of your names IBINU. In Igbo IBI NU means "IF Elephantiasis of the scrotum HEARS"

Another of your names ILO OBINU. In Igbo, it means The Way to Bitter Hearts. Basically the Road to Very wicked people

Etinosa1234:
Permit me to use ur logic...

The name of ur tribe Igbo means bush ...So we can say that the Yorubas had influence over ur forefathers...

Or the word chicken...has Igbo origins because of the word Chi...

Y'all are so desperate that u grasp at straws

hammer8:
[s][/s]


Igbo has a very special meaning in the Igbo language and i wont tell u.


Shameless Afonja, answering Etinosa.

Etinosa1234:
Permit me to use ur logic...

The name of ur tribe Igbo means bush ...So we can say that the Yorubas had influence over ur forefathers...

Or the word chicken...has Igbo origins because of the word Chi...

Y'all are so desperate that u grasp at straws