₦airaland Forum

samuk:
You are wrong again. Ancient Benin encouraged everyone to stick to their identity and dialects. There is a saying in Benin that the Ika, Udo etc speakers should be allowed to speak their dialect to retain their distinctive identity and preserve these dialects within the Edo family. If the ancient Oba of Benin had decreed that every speak Benin, numerous dialects would have long gone into extinction, including those you are now claiming as Igbos against their will.

Ancient Bini was a cosmopolitan society with delicate balance of power. The monarchy was of Yoruba origin and it was indeed said that in time past, Yoruba was the language of Bini royal Court.
The Yoruba rulers were not interested in promoting the Edoid language of the subdued Edoid aboriginals, so every one maintained their own language.
It is only recently that the Anti Yoruba sentiment in Bini is at a crescendo with the Yoruba Obas trying to run away from their Yoruba ancestry like the German ruling royal family of England are trying to run away from their German ancestry post WW1 and WW2, that Bini language promotion throughout the kingdom started. And in deed, Bini people have been squeezing the Igbanke and Olodiama people so hard to drop their Igboid and Izon language and names recently. Likewise Usen people who give their people Yoruba names and speak Yoruba are frowned upon by Bini palace.

Bottomline was that Bini empire had a delicate balance of power between the multiethnic entities there, the Edoid aboriginals were never in position to force their language on others, this is why the likes of Ezechima retained their Igbo language and name and why Igbanke still does same today.

All is obviously set for tomorrow’s grand celebration of this year’s historic traditional New Yam Festival (Ine), in the ancient kingdom of Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha Local government Area of Delta State.



There is also reason to look forward to a peaceful and colourful celebration based on assurances given to that effect by the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo Kingdom, HRM the Obi of Onicha Ugbo, Agbogidi Victor Chukwuma-lieze1 and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachiku, who is also the Odogwu, traditional Defence Minister of the kingdom, respectively. Speaking exclusively in his traditional Ogwa (inner palace), on Tuesday August 30, before the traditional royal procession across the kingdom, to offer prayers to God and the forebears for a peaceful festival, the highly cerebral Obi Chukwumalieze1, who established the historical link between the new yam festival and the emergence of Onicha-Ugbo, said that though the ancestral origin of the founder of the kingdom, Ezechima, is still shrouded in mythical speculations till today, he was generally believed to have migrated from Arochukwu, in present day Eastern region of Nigeria, to the ancient Benin kingdom, where he had found great favour with the then King, Oba Eweka, as a result of his ingenious proficiency, energetic dexterity, excellent craftsmanship and fabled sorcery.

Obi Chukwumalieze1, sitting under the watchful gaze of his grand-father, Obi Okobi, whose majestic influence beamed down from a framed photograph hanging on the wall just above the royal chair, noted that the multiple gifts and talents of Chima, as hunter, blacksmith, brave warrior and sorcerer, had assisted Oba Eweka tremendously in staving off aggressions from neighbours like Dahomey, Songhai and even Ghana and elevated him to the position of a highly respected Chief in the Benin royal palace. “As you know very well, Chima is an Ibo name and the Ibo race is famous for its migratory spirit, especially in search of greener pastures; so there is a connection between him and Arochukwu. He was also a very industrious young man, a farmer, hunter, blacksmith and also a Native Doctor and used his skills to assist Oba Eweka, who in turn appreciated his efforts and elevated him to the position of a very high Palace chief in the kingdom

However, in what I can best be described as the first recorded palace coup in Nigeria’s traditional folklore, Chima’s good fortunes attracted the jealousy of some other powerful interests who protested against his growth as a stranger in their midst and hatched a plot that he was planning to dethrone the Oba, on the pretext that he had challenged the supreme authority of the Oba, over an altercation with royal emissaries who invaded his farm in the name of the king. But Chima, by virtue of his powers as a native doctor, got wind of the plot and promptly gathered his family and some loyalists, absconded from Benin and headed East, ostensibly to his supposed home town in Nri, Arochukwu, where he was said to have originally migrated from,” Obi Chukwumalieze1 said. Continuing the narrative, the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo said that the escaping party, after wandering for a long period, arrived at Ani-Emi, the first original settlement of the Onicha-Ugbo people and Chima was then crowned as the first Eze (King), thus he became known as Eze Chima, (King Chima). But by then a royal decree had been issued from the Palace to seek out Chima and his settlers wherever they were and finish them off. And after having staved off several skirmishes and established themselves in their new home, word had finally reached Benin on their whereabouts and a search party led by Gbumara, the giant had been dispatched to carry out the royal directive. “The people first settled at Ani-Emi, which is close to where St. Pius Secondary school is now located and having crowned Chima as their Eze, quickly settled down and started life anew in the new land. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, the giant Gbumara and his search party, arrived as Eze Chima and his people were preparing for the new yam festival. A princess suddenly noticed strange movements in the bushes and seeing the invaders promptly raised an alarm and everybody scampered helter-skelter for dear life, ‘Oke na ofia, Ngwele na onu’.

A fierce skirmish had ensued and while the people defended themselves bravely against the obvious superior firepower of the Benin assailants, many of them escaped in the heat of battle, including Onicha, the first son of Ezechima and his brothers and sister, who scattered across the vast expanse that is Aniocha (new land) and even across the River Niger and into the East,” said Obi Chukwumalieze. Concluding the narrative Agbogidi Chukwumalize1, affirmed that his great forebear, Onicha and those who followed him had then settled in a nearby farm (Ugbo), and in the aftermath of the battle, had named the new settlement Onicha-Ugbo (the farm of Onicha) and thus the folklore of Onicha-Ugbo was born. His brothers who forayed into different parts of the area and settled in the nine communities at close proximity with Onicha-Ugbo, that became known as Umu Ezechima (the children of King Chima), and drawing from the antecedent that Onicha-Ugbo and indeed the new settlements of Umu Ezechima, locate their genesis to the day Ani-Emi was attacked as it was about to celebrate the eating of the new yam. That historical moment was elevated to a grand festival, both in commemoration of an established tradition and in remembrance of a period of rebirth. Obi Chukwumalieze, who then identified some of the major symbols of the festival in his inner Palace, including the Osisi (staff), replicas of the various dane guns, ancestral sword and other weapons used in the Ani-Emi battle and Nzu (white chalk which signified peace), emphasized that the festival was now devoid of all fetish practices.

pazienza:
[b]
Artificial creation= made up of many distinct groups who still hold firmly unto their individual distinct ethnicity and language.

With this definition... How is Benin artificially created

The Igbanke will not give up their Igboid language despite Years of sustained pressure at assimilating them by the Edos.

The Ijaws will not give up their own identity too, despite Oba pressure.

The Usen retains their Yoroboid language and the local chief on Usen is called "Elawure", a clearly Yoruba title.

U are talking blindly... When did all this ones tell u they were Benin?...

They were part of the old Benin Empire but were never Benin...

This was also ur stance when u claimed that ezechima was not Benin...

Do u forget so soon?

The Yoruboid Oba Bini is doing all possible to hold unto power by denying his Yoruba origin, but the Edo aboriginals represented by the Ogiamien will not have non of it.

Are u crazy... Can u an outsider differentiate between an edo Aboriginal and a foreigner in Benin land

All these chaos just in one senatorial zone of 5 LGAs with a population of less than 5 million.

Yet you are more concerned about Western Igbo land than your own issues.

Says someone with a kerosene sharing , drunkard and a pro North governor...

Be deceiving ur self

He, however, hinted at the metaphysical presence and significance of the ancient Iroko tree in the palace ground and was quick to recognise the omniscience of the Supreme God in all the activities that guided the festival.

Corroborating the historic significance of the new yam festival to the people of Onicha Ugbo and also lending his voice in support of the peaceful commemoration of the grand festival, the Odogwu of Onicha-Ugbo and Minister of State, Petroleum resources, Dr. Ibe Kachiku, described the festival as a grand carnival which has created a colourful, cultural platform for the sons and daughters of Onicha-Ugbo to unite and re-connect with their roots annually. Dr. Kachiku, who spoke through Chief Felix Onyekamsi Kachiku, the representative of the Odogwu and Diokpa (most senior elder) of the Kachiku family, noted that as the traditional Military General of Onicha-Ugbo kingdom, adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful celebration and the safety and security of both indigenes and visitors, during the celebration, even as he added that the kingdom enjoyed a warm and very cordial relationship with all her brother neighbouring communities and the festival would be a colouful parade of dances, a panoply of razz-matazz, a kaleidoscope of glorious colours and indeed a bountiful feast of food and drink for one and all.


Highlight of the formal commencement of the Onicha-Ugbo new yam festival, was the 36 kilometres royal procession on foot, accomplished in about two hours, to the various clans that make up the kingdom, including the ancestral spot at Abu- Anor where Onicha-Ugbo, first settled, led by Obi Victor Chukwum-alieze1, accompanied by Chief Festus Mafiana , the Iyase (Prime Minister), Chief Michael Diji, the Isama, Chief Augustine Osodi, the Ozoma, Chief Anwuli, the Omu, Chief Okafor Amafuise, the Odafe, Chief Bazee Nwokolo, the head of Ogbe-obi clan. Others included Chief Ken Iwelumo, the Alibo (Ambassador plenipotentiary), Chief Nwawolo, all the clan heads from Ogbe-kenu, Ishiekpe, Umuolo, Ogbe-obi and Agba clans as well as military war chiefs and other titled chiefs, including Dr. Okwudili Okwechime and Ogbuefi Chuks Egbe, amongst others, all resplendent in their full traditional splendor in Akwa Ocha (white cloth) Okpu (cap) and staff of authority to match.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/excitement-anticipation-onicha-ugbo-gears-historic-ine-new-yam-festival-2/

pazienza:
Ancient Bini was a cosmopolitan society with delicate balance of power. The monarchy was of Yoruba origin and it was indeed said that in time past, Yoruba was the language of Bini royal Court.

So according to ur logic, the palace speaks Yoruba while the populace speaks Benin...

Who makes up the palace if not the people?

Try dey use ur head think logically

The Yoruba rulers were not interested in promoting the Edoid language of the subdued Edoid aboriginals, so every one maintained their own language.

What's this one saying... The Yoruba never ruled an inch of Benin land... It was the other way round...

It is only recently that the Anti Yoruba sentiment in Bini is at a crescendo with the Yoruba Obas trying to run away from their Yoruba ancestry like the German ruling royal family are trying to run away from their German ancestry post WW1 and WW2, that Bini language promotion throughout the kingdom started. And in deed, Bini people have been squeezing the Igbanke and Olodiama people so hard to drop their Igboid and Izon language and names recently. Likewise Usen people who give their people Yoruba names and speak Yoruba are frowned upon by Bini palace.

So Benin language started in the 20th century and now has up to a million speakers?

That means in a hundred years time , Benin will soon have 100million speakers..

Igbos better watch out

Bottomline was that Bini empire had a delicate balance of power between the multiethnic entities there, the Edoid aboriginals were never in position to force their language on others, this is why the likes of Ezechima retained their Igbo language and name and why Igbanke still does same today.

All the past Obas were Benin and bore Benin names

Pls explain to me who exactly are the Edo Aboriginals

pazienza:
Nope, not all that were Igbo were of Igbo ancestry. But the catch here is that the migrants in our midst are so insignificant in number that they were quickly assimilated and acculturated by their Igbo hosts.
While in Bini, the non Edoids there numerically superior and their culture so strong, that they all retained their distinct languages and cultures. Yoruba for Usen, Igbo for Igbanke, Izon for Olodiama.

So whats the population of this tribes in Edo compared to the Benin?

Many of you expansionist Edo claim that because insignificant Edo and Igala refugees were absorbed by Igbo speaking ancestors of Anioma, that Anioma shouldn't be Igbo again, but should rather become a hybrid.
But your Bini not only assimilated Igbo, Ijaw, Yoruba and Igala people as well, many pockets of these groups were not well assimilated as they retained their individual distinct languages within your Edo enclave.
Yet you don't think this is enough reason for Bini to cease being Bini and become a hybrid instead, do you?

I once thought u were wise..

U have proven me wrong

Samuk... In summary, pazienza has agreed that ezechima is a Benin man(after all artificial creation) and that means that Onitsha is Benin origin

Case Close

pazienza:
Ancient Bini was a cosmopolitan society with delicate balance of power. The monarchy was of Yoruba origin and it was indeed said that in time past, Yoruba was the language of Bini royal Court.
The Yoruba rulers were not interested in promoting the Edoid language of the subdued Edoid aboriginals, so every one maintained their own language.
It is only recently that the Anti Yoruba sentiment in Bini is at a crescendo with the Yoruba Obas trying to run away from their Yoruba ancestry like the German ruling royal family are trying to run away from their German ancestry post WW1 and WW2, that Bini language promotion throughout the kingdom started. And in deed, Bini people have been squeezing the Igbanke and Olodiama people so hard to drop their Igboid and Izon language and names recently. Likewise Usen people who give their people Yoruba names and speak Yoruba are frowned upon by Bini palace.

Bottomline was that Bini empire had a delicate balance of power between the multiethnic entities there, the Edoid aboriginals were never in position to force their language on others, this is why the likes of Ezechima retained their Igbo language and name and why Igbanke still does same today.

Stop displaying your ignorance of Benin history publicly, you have done this consistently throughout the debate, you have tried to claim to know more than the owners of their history.

You claimed the Benin monarch is Yoruba in origin and Yoruba was the official language of the Palace but some how all the Obas till date have Benin names. When it suits you, you argue that because Ezechime doesn't sound Benin he couldn't have been Benin despite agreeing that he left Benin to the east but all Oba of Benin with Benin names are Yorubas according to your inconsistent logic.

Like I said before, you can't claim to know people history more than them, it's delusion.

You can't claim to know Zik's history more than Zik and his grandmother.

You can't claim to know the history of ISSELE-UKU more than the Obi of ISSELE-UKU and his people.

You can't claim or pretend to know Benin history more than the Oba of Benin and his people. It's simply delusion to try to write people's history. Benin history especially is well established and very little oral distortion. I am sure you can't point to where the Oba of Benin claim Yoruba ancestry, but you keep repeating it like you are an authority on the subject.

You have not finished exploring Igbo written history that is hardly older or earlier than the 1700s, you want to dabble ignorantly into Benin history.

Trying to tell other people their history is pretentious and delusional.

You simply don't understand that I can't tell you your history just the way you can't tell me or anyone else their history.

I have no authority over your history just the way you have no authority over anyone else's history. If the Obi of ISSELE-UKU claim Igbo ancestry, it's not in my position to question it likewise it's shouldn't be in your position to question the Obi's Benin ancestry.

I just took time to narrate Ezechima story from the mouth of Obi of Onicha Igbo who is also a descendant of Ezechima.
Go through the story and see how rational it is. Compare it to the myth and fables Issele uku is propagating.

For who cares to know. Issele uku and Onicha Ugbo are in eternal tussle for who would hold the Offor of umuezechima.

Issele uku is propagating the irrational Benin origin story because he is the last son of Ezechima and by Igbo tradition can not hold the Offor of Umuezechima. But since she wants the Offor so bad, she cannot claim Igbo. The Bini tradition who have absolute monarchy where the king can decide to pass the stool to any of his son of chosen irrespective of the son position in age ranking, appeals more to Issele uku monarchy who wants to wear Ezechima a Bini garment to enable them claim that being the first son is immaterial in who should be head of the clan.

Onicha Ugbo on the other hand being the first son of Ezechima, has to hold unto Igbo tradition of Okpalabisi( eldest son is the head) in other to counter Issele uku plan to overthrow them as the rightful holders of Ezechima Offor according to Okpala bu isi gerontocracy of ancient Igbo clans. Hence while Obi of Onicha Ugbo would not accept the Bini story.

Samuk , to further prove that pazienza doesn't read what he posts or knows what he's writing,... See the attached below.. from the wise pazienza himself

https://www.nairaland.com/3549333/23-year-old-obi-nduka/65#98320838

From his posts..

https://www.nairaland.com/3549333/23-year-old-obi-nduka/65#98320838
. this to be precise...

It clearly says that Benin kingdom is different from Benin people..

But pazienza is still telling.us that Benin people are multiethnic

Etinosa1234:
So according to ur logic, the palace speaks Yoruba while the populace speaks Benin...

Who makes up the palace if not the people?

Try dey use ur head think logically

What's this one saying... The Yoruba never ruled an inch of Benin land... It was the other way round...

So Benin language started in the 20th century and now has up to a million speakers?

That means in a hundred years time , Benin will soon have 100million speakers..

Igbos better watch out



All the past Obas were Benin and bore Benin names

Pls explain to me who exactly are the Edo Aboriginals

The name Oba is a Yoruba word for king.
Edoid word for King is Ogie/Ovie/Ojie.

This is seen and consistent with all Edoid aboriginals down to Isoko in deep Delta state.

The Oba Bini is a Yoruba man ruling Bini people.
Just as Emir of Ilorin is a Fulani man ruling Yoruba aboriginals there.
It doesn't matter that the Fulani's in Ilorin now speak and bear Yoruba names, just as it doesn't matter that Oba Bini now speak and bear Bini names.
The title of their throne says it all.
And like the aboriginal Yoruba in Ilorin are fighting to free themselves from the Emir, so are the aboriginal Edos spareheaded by the Ogiemein are fighting to free Edo from the Yoruba Oba.

Pazienza... Can u explain to the whole World how Igbo is not artificial when y'all have igalas, idomas, ibibios , ijaws around

What's ur guarantee that the entire Igbo tribe is not also an artificial creation

Like u said in a post that u failed to read, Benin kingdom was multiethnic but not Benin people

Etinosa1234:
Samuk , to further prove that pazienza doesn't read what he posts or knows what he's writing,... See the attached below.. from the wise pazienza himself

https://www.nairaland.com/3549333/23-year-old-obi-nduka/65#98320838

We know that Benin empire is different from Bini (Edoid) people.
That's the whole point of this argument.
You obviously don't understand the argument.

The argument is simple. Umuezechima were part of Bini empire, but they were never aboriginal Edo people by ethnicity.

Bini empire was a cosmopolitan centre with different entities holding unto Benin as a nationality. Just as many Igbos consider themselves Lagosians but not Yorubas.
Just because one consider himself and people Bini people, doesn't mean they were ethnically Edo. Bini as an identity was a multiethnic entity and not same as being an Edo person.

pazienza:
[s]

The name Oba is a Yoruba word for king.
Edoid word for King is Ogie/Ovie/Ojie.

This is seen and consistent with all Edoid aboriginals down to Isoko in deep Delta state.

The Oba Bini is a Yoruba man ruling Bini people.
Just as Emir of Ilorin is a Fulani man ruling Yoruba aboriginals there.
It doesn't matter that the Fulani's in Ilorin now speak and bear Yoruba names, just as it doesn't matter that Oba Bini now speak and bear Bini names.
The title of their throne says it all.
And like the aboriginal Yoruba in Ilorin are fighting to free themselves from the Emir, so are the aboriginal Edos spareheaded by the Ogiemein are fighting to free Edo from the Yoruba Oba.[/s]

Wait... The same Ogiamen who his family members have dissociate demselves from

Even the guy parading himself as Ogiamen is not the real Ogiamen..

Now the Fulani emir past and present all bear to names but no Oba of Benin bore any Yoruba name... Point it out for me...

Also tell me who exactly are the Edo Aboriginals

Etinosa1234:
Pazienza... Can u explain to the whole World how Igbo is not artificial when y'all have igalas, idomas, ibibios , ijaws around

What's ur guarantee that the entire Igbo tribe is not also an artificial creation

Like u said in a post that u failed to read, Benin kingdom was multiethnic but not Benin people

Bini expansionists claim that Anioma cannot be Igbo.
Their reason is that Anioma has people who trace their origin to Bini, Igala , Yoruba, and South East. Therefore Anioma in their tiny brain irrespective of the fact that they speak Igbo should not be Igbo but let to be as a distinct entity.


In same manner, I argued that modern Bini has people of Igbo, Ijaw, Yoruba , and Igala origins .

So using same logic, there should be no Bini ethinic group, since they have people of heterogeneous origin.

When people say they migrated from Bini kingdom, you Bini expansionists will see it as the people saying they were ethnic Edos. You will refuse to factor in the possibility of those people migrating from Igbo speaking, Ijaw speaking or Yoruba speaking part of the Bini kingdom.
If you were accepting of the above, there wouldn't be problems.

pazienza:
We know that Benin empire is different from Bini (Edoid) people.
That's the whole point of this argument.
You obviously don't understand the argument.

The argument is simple. Umuezechima were part of Bini empire, but they were never aboriginal Edo people by ethnicity.

Bini empire was a cosmopolitan centre with different entities holding unto Benin as a nationality. Just as many Igbos consider themselves Lagosians but not Yorubas.
Just because one consider himself and people Bini people, doesn't mean they were ethnically Edo. Bini as an identity was a multiethnic entity and not same as being an Edo person.

Wrong.... Benin is an alternative name of the Edo people...

In fact, Benin people is different from esan people or other tribe people..

None of the tribes u mentioned, Igbo, ijaw, etc consider themselves as Benin..

Ur post clearly says that Benin kingdom is different from Benin people... this means that the kingdom covers many ethnicities and not just Benin people who are an entire different tribe of its own...

This is akin to saying that the British Empire is not the same as the British people.....

Nigeria was part of the British Empire, but does that make Nigerians British?

Same also with Benin

Igbos, ijaws, Yoruba were part of Benin kingdom but did that make them Benin?

U need to think with ur head.....

We can also conclude with ur logic that Yoruba, Fulani and Igbos are also artificial creation due to the Oyo Empire, Sokoto Caliphate, and nri Kingdom respectively

pazienza:
Bini expansionists claim that Anioma cannot be Igbo.
Their reason is that Anioma has people who trace their origin to Bini, Igala , Yoruba, and South East. Therefore Anioma in their tiny brain irrespective of the fact that they speak Igbo should not be Igbo but let to be as a distinct entity.


In same manner, I argued that modern Bini has people of Igbo, Ijaw, Yoruba , and Igala origins .

So using same logic, there should be no Bini ethinic group, since they have people of heterogeneous origin.

When people say they migrated from Bini kingdom, you Bini expansionists will see it as the people saying they were ethnic Edos. You will refuse to factor in the possibility of those people migrating from Igbo speaking, Ijaw speaking or Yoruba speaking part of the Bini kingdom.
If you were accepting of the above, there wouldn't be problems.

Then when u are saying it, tell that to the Benin expansionist personally.... Not on a public forum directed to everyone

Benin is not an artificial creation

Etinosa1234:
Samuk , to further prove that pazienza doesn't read what he posts or knows what he's writing,... See the attached below.. from the wise pazienza himself

https://www.nairaland.com/3549333/23-year-old-obi-nduka/65#98320838

I think the dude is trying to start unnecessary controversy and diverts the debate, I will be surprised that he is actually as ignorant as he is portraying.

In his logic, the Yorubas conquered and ruled over Benin, yet the Yoruba had no Oba in history comparable in military, political strength or otherwise to the Oba of Benin. Can you give what you don't have?

The Yoruba ruled over Benin yet there is hardly any part of Yoruba land from Lagos to eastern Yoruba that didn't feel the impact and influence of Benin.

Like I said before, I think the guy is playing games with the Oba of Benin being Yoruba. He can't be that ignorant. Benin history has been written since the 1400s by early European visitors while Yoruba hinterland wasn't visited till 1824 and there is nothing in the over 600 years Benin history that says the Oba of Benin is Yoruba.

If the guys is really that ignorant to know that Benin history can't to forge, reverse and rewritten like others, then I was mistaken about him and have been wasting my time.

Etinosa1234:
Wrong.... Benin is an alternative name of the Edo people...

In fact, Benin people is different from esan people or other tribe people..

None of the tribes u mentioned, Igbo, ijaw, etc consider themselves as Benin..

Ur post clearly says that Benin kingdom is different from Benin people... this means that the kingdom covers many ethnicities and not just Benin people who are an entire different tribe of its own...

This is akin to saying that the British Empire is not the same as the British people.....

Nigeria was part of the British Empire, but does that make Nigerians British?

Same also with Benin

Igbos, ijaws, Yoruba were part of Benin kingdom but did that make them Benin?

U need to think with ur head.....

We can also conclude with ur logic that Yoruba, Fulani and Igbos are also artificial creation due to the Oyo Empire, Sokoto Caliphate, and nri Kingdom respectively

Bini is an Edoid ethnic group.
Within the Edo are other related groups like the Esan, etc.

Benin empire was multiethnic and had other ethnic groups who considered themselves Benin people even though they were not Edoid. Just because the Oba Bini influence covered their towns and villages.

Exactly my point. All Igbo speaking groups that left Benin empire, including Ezechima were Benin subjects but they were not Edo people. They are Benin by nationality because their hometown was under Benin empire influence, but they were not Edoid.
If we understand the above, we would understand why Ezechima was not an Edo even though he was Benin by the virtue of living under the power of Benin empire.

Tell your brother Samuk that they are no Edoid people in Umuezechima. They were and remain Igboid.

samuk:
I think the dude is trying to start unnecessary controversy and diverts the debate, I will be surprised that he is actually as ignorant as he is portraying.

In his logic, the Yorubas conquered and ruled over Benin, yet the Yoruba had no Oba in history comparable in military, political strength or otherwise to the Oba of Benin. Can you give what you don't have?

The Yoruba ruled over Benin yet there is hardly any part of Yoruba land from Lagos to eastern Yoruba that didn't feel the impact and influence of Benin.

Like I said before, I think the guy is playing games with the Oba of Benin being Yoruba. He can't be that ignorant. Benin history has been written since the 1400s by early European visitors while Yoruba hinterland wasn't visited till 1824 and there is nothing in the over 600 years Benin history that says the Oba of Benin is Yoruba.

If the guys is really that ignorant to know that Benin history can't to forge, reverse and rewritten like others, then I was mistaken about him and have been wasting my time.

Bini was a mushroom kingdom that Agbor was walloping until you met Portuguese who supplied you with firearms with which you terrorized and brought neighboring Eastern Yoruba and Western Igbo under your control.
There was nothing spectacular about Bini. You just had monopoly of European firearms that your neighbours lacked.

Oba is the Yoruba word for King from Ondo to Ilorin.
Edoid word for King is Ovie/Ogie/Ojie. It doesn't take much for a rational person to see that Oba is a Yoruba imprint on Edo people of Bini.
Amongst the Edoids in Delta, Isoko and Urhobo. Oba makes no meaning, but Ovie is a real cognate for Ogie/Ojie and stands for King.

Early Kings of Igododmigodo before the Yoruba established the Obaship there went by the title of Ogie-so. Proper edoid word for King.

pazienza:
Bini is an Edoid ethnic group.
Within the Edo are other related groups like the Esan, etc.

Benin empire was multiethnic and had other ethnic groups who considered themselves Benin people even though they were not Edoid. Just because the Oba Bini influence covered their towns and villages.

Exactly my point. All Igbo speaking groups that left Benin empire, including Ezechima were Benin subjects but they were not Edo people. They are Benin by nationality because their hometown was under Benin empire influence, but they were not Edoid.
If we understand the above, we would understand why Ezechima was not an Edo even though he was Benin by the virtue of living under the power of Benin empire.

Tell your brother Samuk that they are no Edoid people in Umuezechima. They were and remain Igboid.

I am not the one saying Ezechime and umuezechime are Edo, they are the one saying so themselves, I have no such authority to proclaim these people Edo just like I have no authority to deny them being Edo if they claim that is what they were or are. I wasn't alive when Ezechime left Benin, I can only rely on what his prominent descendants such as the Obi of ISSELE-UKU and Zik said. I am unlike you that pretend to know people's history more than them and their king.

pazienza:
He, however, hinted at the metaphysical presence and significance of the ancient Iroko tree in the palace ground and was quick to recognise the omniscience of the Supreme God in all the activities that guided the festival.

Corroborating the historic significance of the new yam festival to the people of Onicha Ugbo and also lending his voice in support of the peaceful commemoration of the grand festival, the Odogwu of Onicha-Ugbo and Minister of State, Petroleum resources, Dr. Ibe Kachiku, described the festival as a grand carnival which has created a colourful, cultural platform for the sons and daughters of Onicha-Ugbo to unite and re-connect with their roots annually. Dr. Kachiku, who spoke through Chief Felix Onyekamsi Kachiku, the representative of the Odogwu and Diokpa (most senior elder) of the Kachiku family, noted that as the traditional Military General of Onicha-Ugbo kingdom, adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful celebration and the safety and security of both indigenes and visitors, during the celebration, even as he added that the kingdom enjoyed a warm and very cordial relationship with all her brother neighbouring communities and the festival would be a colouful parade of dances, a panoply of razz-matazz, a kaleidoscope of glorious colours and indeed a bountiful feast of food and drink for one and all.


Highlight of the formal commencement of the Onicha-Ugbo new yam festival, was the 36 kilometres royal procession on foot, accomplished in about two hours, to the various clans that make up the kingdom, including the ancestral spot at Abu- Anor where Onicha-Ugbo, first settled, led by Obi Victor Chukwum-alieze1, accompanied by Chief Festus Mafiana , the Iyase (Prime Minister), Chief Michael Diji, the Isama, Chief Augustine Osodi, the Ozoma, Chief Anwuli, the Omu, Chief Okafor Amafuise, the Odafe, Chief Bazee Nwokolo, the head of Ogbe-obi clan. Others included Chief Ken Iwelumo, the Alibo (Ambassador plenipotentiary), Chief Nwawolo, all the clan heads from Ogbe-kenu, Ishiekpe, Umuolo, Ogbe-obi and Agba clans as well as military war chiefs and other titled chiefs, including Dr. Okwudili Okwechime and Ogbuefi Chuks Egbe, amongst others, all resplendent in their full traditional splendor in Akwa Ocha (white cloth) Okpu (cap) and staff of authority to match.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/excitement-anticipation-onicha-ugbo-gears-historic-ine-new-yam-festival-2/

Samuk. I hope you went through this account of Ezechima by Obi of Onicha Ugbo.

Because his account is exacly in tandem with our own knowledge of the history in Idemili.
.
Issele uku and her king cannot change a history they share in common with others just because they yearn for political advantage.
It doesn't work that way. You cannot distort a history you share with others and claim its your right to claim whatever you want. You are entitled to your own opinions and not to your own facts.

We went to stream together to fetch water, on your way back you stumbled on a stone and broke your pot. We both witnessed the event.
Now you went and told people I pushed you from behind and you fell and broke your pot, and you claim its your right to tell your own story the way you please that I have no right to intervene even when I'm being portrayed in bad light on your concocted stories?
Does it make sense to you now why SEners while not interested in what an Issele uku man want to address themselves as, but are fully interested in Ezechima story?

pazienza:
Bini was a mushroom kingdom that Agbor was walloping until you met Portuguese who supplied you with firearms with which you terrorized and brought neighboring Eastern Yoruba and Western Igbo under your control.
There was nothing spectacular about Bini. You just had monopoly of European firearms that your neighbours lacked.

Oba is the Yoruba word for King from Ondo to Ilorin.
Edoid word for King is Ovie/Ogie/Ojie. It doesn't take much for a rational person to see that Oba is a Yoruba imprint on Edo people of Bini.
Amongst the Edoids in Delta, Isoko and Urhobo. Oba makes no meaning, but Ovie is a real cognate for Ogie/Ojie and stands for King.

Early Kings of Igododmigodo before the Yoruba established the Obaship there went by the title of Ogie-so. Proper edoid word for King.

Whatever you say is your entitled opinion. The fact remains that Benin eyewitness written history is probably the oldest and hardest to rewrite. Whatever you write, ends here on nairaland unless there are historical authorities to back up your claim, besides the people themselves disagree with your position. Unlike you, all I have said is inline with the people I am quoting. This is the difference between the two of us. The people of ISSELE-UKU, their Obi and Zik all agree with my position, this is what counts.

samuk:
I am not the one saying Ezechime and umuezechime are Edo, they are the one saying so themselves, I have no such authority to proclaim these people Edo just like I have no authority to deny them being Edo if they claim that is what they were or are. I wasn't alive when Ezechime left Benin, I can only rely on what his prominent descendants such as the Obi of ISSELE-UKU and Zik said. I am unlike you that pretend to people history more than them and their king.

Nope. They are not saying it in unison. There are many versions of the story and I just shared one which is in tandem with what we know in SE.
And the story i shared was by an Eze from the eldest Ezechima clan called Onicha Ugbo, from where Onitsha people migrated from.
And you can see obviously that it is not an Edoid story.

You just don't want to accept it, even when it is the most rational story out there, because it doesn't help you expansionist agenda.
You want to believe a man by the name Ezechima who kept Offor staff, and had all his children and towns named in Igbo language, was an Edo man. Is your head not touching ?

Ndo.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/excitement-anticipation-onicha-ugbo-gears-historic-ine-new-yam-festival-2/

pazienza:
Nope. They are not saying it in unison. There are many versions of the story and I just shared one which is in tandem with what we know in SE.
And the story i shared was by an Eze from the eldest Ezechima clan called Onicha Ugbo, from where Onitsha people migrated from.
And you can see obviously that it is not an Edoid story.

You just don't want to accept it, even when it is the most rational story out there, because it doesn't help you expansionist agenda.

Ndo.

Expansionist? you are funny, were are we expanding to. Been there, done that, others can carry on from where Benin stopped. I will be the first to tell you that the Benin empire ended in 1897. Every great empire/kingdom rise, fall and are confined to the history books, Benin is not an exception. What we don't want is envious people like yourself trying to rewrite and distort our history.

Historical achievements of Benin is beyond you to judge. It's open to the wider world.

Fortunately and thanks to early Europeans visitors, Benin history is watertight and cast in stone since the 1400s, it's protected from morden days revisionist and expansionist like yourself.

The floor and space is open for you guys to create and make history just the way Benin did in the past. Trying to steal Benin Obas and claiming them as Yoruba won't work.

samuk:
Expansionist? you are funny, were are will expanding to. Been there, done that, others can carry on from where Benin stopped. I will be the first to tell you that the Benin empire ended in 1897. Every great empire/kingdom rise, fall and are confined to the history books, Benin is not an exception. What we don't want is envious people like yourself trying to rewrite and distort our history. Fortunately and thanks to early Europeans visitors, Benin history is now watertight and cast in stone, protected from morden days revisionist and expansionist like yourself.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/excitement-anticipation-onicha-ugbo-gears-historic-ine-new-yam-festival-2/

Read and learn.

Bini imperialist fought Ezechima tooth and nail, causing the people to flee helter skelter. Oke n'ofia, Nkwere n'onu , according to Obi Onicha Ugbo.
The Onicha that ran to Ugbo became Onicha Ugbo, those that ran to the bush and organized a guerilla against terrorist Bini army were called the Onicha Onucha olomina( Onicha that fought and went to the bush to hide) aka Onicha Olona, and lastly, some Onicha ran and crossed the River Niger and were welcomed by the Obosis(Idemili), they were called Onicha Mili, aka Onitsha you know today in Anambra.

The story of Ezechima is the story of Bini terrorism on the people. And their desire to survive such attack. Any Ezechima claiming Edo origin is suffering from Stockholm syndrome.
I don't waste time to tell them that even to their faces.

pazienza:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/excitement-anticipation-onicha-ugbo-gears-historic-ine-new-yam-festival-2/

Read and learn.

Bini imperialist fought Ezechima tooth and nail, causing the people to flee helter skelter. Oke n'ofia, Nkwere n'onu , according to Obi Onicha Ugbo.
The Onicha that ran to Ugbo became Onicha Ugbo, those that ran to the bush and organized a guerilla against terrorist Bini army were called the Onicha Onucha olomina( Onicha that fought and went to the bush to hide) aka Onicha Olona, and lastly, some Onicha ran and crossed the River Niger and were welcomed by the Obosis(Idemili), they were called Onicha Mili, aka Onitsha you know today in Anambra.

The story of Ezechima is the story of Bini terrorism on the people. And their desire to survive such attack. Any Ezechima claiming Edo origin is suffering from Stockholm syndrome.
I don't waste time to tell them that even to their faces.

Where did this Onitsha Ugbo's account defers or contradict Zik's grandmother story of Ezechime, it doesn't, in fact it supports Zik's grandmother's position, she never said Ezechime left Benin in peace, Zik autobiography agree that Ezechime left Benin in time of tribulations fearing for his life. Were is the contradiction.

If you and your brother fight and you run for your life, does that deny you your heritage.

samuk:
Where did this Onitsha Ugbo's account defers or contradict Zik's grandmother story of Ezechime, it doesn't, in fact it supports Zik's grandmother's position, she never said Ezechime left Benin in peace, Zik autobiography agree that Ezechime left Benin in time of tribulations fearing for his life. Were is the contradiction.

It States clearly that he wasn't an Edo. He was IBO as his name suggests.

Obi Chukwumalieze1, sitting under the watchful gaze of his grand-father, Obi Okobi, whose majestic influence beamed down from a framed photograph hanging on the wall just above the royal chair, noted that the multiple gifts and talents of Chima, as hunter, blacksmith, brave warrior and sorcerer, had assisted Oba Eweka tremendously in staving off aggressions from neighbours like Dahomey, Songhai and even Ghana and elevated him to the position of a highly respected Chief in the Benin royal palace. “As you know very well, Chima is an Ibo name and the Ibo race is famous for its migratory spirit, especially in search of greener pastures; so there is a connection between him and Arochukwu. He was also a very industrious young man, a farmer, hunter, blacksmith and also a Native Doctor and used his skills to assist Oba Eweka, who in turn appreciated his efforts and elevated him to the position of a very high Palace chief in the kingdom

Its common sense really. No Bini Prince ever bore Ezechima or Igbo names.

[b]However, in what I can best be described as the first recorded palace coup in Nigeria’s traditional folklore, Chima’s good fortunes attracted the jealousy of some other powerful interests who protested against his growth as a stranger in their midst and hatched a plot that he was planning to dethrone the Oba, on the pretext that he had challenged the supreme authority of the Oba, over an altercation with royal emissaries who invaded his farm in the name of the king. But Chima, by virtue of his powers as a native doctor, got wind of the plot and promptly gathered his family and some loyalists, absconded from Benin and headed East, ostensibly to his supposed home town in Nri, Arochukwu, where he was said to have originally migrated from,” Obi Chukwumalieze1 said. Continuing the narrative, the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo said that the escaping party, after wandering for a long period, arrived at Ani-Emi, the first original settlement of the Onicha-Ugbo people and Chima was then crowned as the first Eze (King), thus he became known as Eze Chima, (King Chima).[/b]


No be today Igbo man hard work and success in foreign lands start attracting envy and desire to kill him by non Igbos around him

Poor Ezechima. Imagine having escaped from Edo haters only to have descendants suffering from Stockholm syndrome and need for political power grab start referring to him as an Edo man.
The old man must be rolling in his grave.