davidnazee:


You see how foolish you are. I always said Ife was a small village not a Kingdom. And Ife is not an empire. It has nothing to make it an empire.

You are saying Yoruba conquered this, conquered that, dominate places. This is another foolish statement from you. Which Yoruba are u talking about? Focus on Ife or is it because there’s nothing to say about Ife you now make a general statement? Yoruba as one race was not in existence till the 1800s.

Fact is Ife was never an empire.

Maybe I should enlighten your dumb brain once more. In those days they use Oyo ilé which have ILẸ̀ IFE as capital. OYO ILẸ̀ then is generilise as whole Oodua empire, ilé Ife empire. So that is what I am talking about. Whenever there is war, the instructions and directive came from Administrative center of Oodua empire (Île Ifè). OYO mesi which is now modern day (Oyo) is military or defence headquarters of Oodua Empire.

So anytime you heard story of War fought by Oyo, it administrative headquarters is ÎLE IFE. Ife ó dáyé.

So it was Generalise as Oyo Empire . Ọ̀YỌ́ ILE (ILẸ̀ IFE) as administrative and Spiritual Headquarters. While Ọ̀YỌ́ MESI (MODERN DAY Ọ̀YỌ́) as defence and military headquarters.

So it is still same OYO EMPIRE as the historian called it then.

But out of Oyo Empire we have so many KINGDOM such as:

1. Ijebu Kingdom : Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu Remo, Ijebu Ogbere, Ijebu Ilishan, Ijebu Odogbolu,Shagamu, Ijebu Itele, Ijebu Mushin, Ijebu Ilese, Ijebu Ilugun, Ijebu Momo, Epe, Ikorodu, Ota, etc

2. Ẹ̀gbá Kingdom : Egbado, Yewa, Ilaro, Ipokia, Ibara, Òkè Ọ̀nà, Òwu, Owode, etc

3. Ọ̀yọ́ Mesi: ìlà Orangun, Osogbo, Ede, Sarki, Iwo, Modakeke, etc

4. Ondo: Akure, Ìkàré, Osolo

5. Ekiti: Alára, Ajero

6. Lagos:

7: Ilorin: Offa, etc

8: Benin Republic : Sakete, Alaketu, Ajase, Ilapetu, etc

9. Kogi: Ibira, Igala, etc

ILE ÌFẸ́ as Spiritual and administrative headquarters while Ọ̀YỌ́ MESI as defence and military headquarters.

All this towns and Kingdoms are classified in those days as Ọ̀yọ́ Empire

davidnazee:


Leave Oyo out of it for now, we are not discussing Oyo.
Which evidence did u provide to show Ijebu was a great Kingdom? I think I missed that part. Please provide the evidence again if there’s really one. If u are going to reference Ijebu walls or archeological work done in Ijebu then u are really dumb.

Here’s a clue on how to discuss greatness of a Kingdom.. you can talk about the following:
It’s wealth, it’s economy, it’s size and reach, it’s wars and conquests and it’s international relationship to other Kingdoms and places.

So if u cannot relate all or some of the above with Ijebu then Ijebu (Jaboe) remains a small Yoruba village and Ife too.

I think I can relate to your ignorance. Ife is not Kingdom. Ife is empire. That is reason they could crown a king in your small kingdom.

As history told us, in those day. There is Oyo ilé and Oyo Ode. Oyo ilé is Ilé Ifè of today and Ọ̀yọ́ òde is today Ọ̀yọ́.

So Yoruba conquer Ewe people of Benin, Togo, Ghana. There is a museum about this in Quidah Town in Benin Republic, go there you will find the story.

Yoruba conquer and dominate Ga people of Ghana and established their roots there. Till today they still call themselves Ancestorial of Ilé Ifè.

This are few to mentioned.

davidnazee:


Bro you may be following the topic but do u understand what our argument is about?
Your brother (I assume u are Yoruba too) claims Ijebu was a greater Kingdom than Benin Kingdom.. His references doesn’t prove his claims.. If he is wise or intelligent he would have know a proper way to prove it or maybe there’s no way he can prove it because Ijebu (a small hamlet) was never a great Kingdom nor can it ever be compared to Benin. And do I need to prove my claim? NO!!

If u support your brother’s claim that Ijebu was greater than Benin then u are as dumb as he is. I’m guessing u are probably carried away by his long essays and writing style but it’s actually all nonsense.

Hello

Nobody said Ijebu is greater than Benin Kingdoms. We all know that Ijebu and Benin are equal, they even share border.

What I oppose to is your statement sometimes when you mentioned that Benin conquer Ijebu and I said no. You also mentioned that Benin Kingdom is only Kingdom that fought British, which I also falsely by explaining and giving you proves on how Ijebu fought British Colonial to the extent that the British have to go as far Ghana, Sierra Leone, Northern part of Nigeria to recruit more soldiers to fight just IJEBU LAND (Imagbon War).

The reason why I déposé most of your claim and writes up is that your egocentric written manner, trying to convince the ignorant reader of superiority of Benin over Ìfẹ́, which is not and can never be.

Benin will ever remain a son to Ife which is in history, archives and your 2 generation of monarch said it, the King before this and this also mentioned it when he came to OONI OF IFE Palace. He also shows respect by addressing OONIRISA as IMPERIAL MAJESTY.

Moreso, your in ability to differentiate between EMPIRE AND KINGDOM. His Royal Majesty rules Kingdom which Benin is. But His Imperial Majesty rules an Empire like Yoruba overall which makes Oonirisa one.

Empire extend outside their geographic location like Yoruba in Benin Republic, Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Togo, Ivory Coast and Ghana. In which they are all citizens of their respective countries but pledge their loyalty to Imperial Majesty, the Overall Spiritual Leader and King of their Ancestorial roots which is OONI OF IFE.

Maybe you need to travel to all this country, I believe that might convince you.

So I have not see any concrete evidence provided by you, but me and others colleagues have given you youtube links, pictures, archive snapshots, etc to buttress our claim.

Have a wonderful Day

Cc: TAO11

TAO11:


Except that the Ooni was not the host. Gosh!

How did I even manage to miss this excessively ignorant and ridiculously false comment of yours?

Anyways, to educate you as always, this particular 1937 meeting was officially entitled by the British authorities as "Conference of Yoruba Chiefs" and it was held in Oyo -- hosted by the Alaafin.

Reference:
"Conference of Yoruba Chiefs, Oyo, 31 March to 1 April 1937", mimeographed.


Moreover, it is the 1938 meeting which held in Ife, thus hosted by the Ooni himself from 16 to 17 March 1938.


The fact that your Oba of Benin was an attendee at a so-called "Conference of Yoruba Chiefs" should make any right thinking Bini re-evaluate their irrational prejudices.

Nay! You alone have a combination of both the attributes of a pathological liar and of an ignoramous.

What a pity!

cc: Sewgon79

cc: TAO11

Thank you for more elaborate information as regards the conference. I am happy to have you on board. Seriously those Bini boys are IGNORAMUS.

They know the truth but decide to pursue lies.

Happy weekend my brother

lx3as:
I don't even get time for these ineffectual Bini revisionists. It's an insult to be comparing one of the most populous, most popular, most successful and greatest culture and religion people of Africa with an offshoot like Bini, a minority of minorities. Ibadan was a greater power than Bini in all ramifications, not to even mention Ìfẹ or Oyo.

Right now I'm watching documentary on Yoruba religions and cultures in the Americas and Carribbean. The white commentator just said, "Yoruba religion is the greatest import from Africa."

Please help us tell this Bini people, if given chance will turn the history of Africa upside down. But thank God that everywhere people know the history.

davidnazee:


I see that you are still bothered by the evidence I showed you lol.
What difference does it make if a Portuguese man spell it as Geebuu and an English man spell it as Jaboe? Everyone know that they are referring to Ijebu..
bro u can’t change history.

Mister, I don't know history you are talking about but the verified history we all have and confirm by British museum says otherwise.

Well I won't argue because I know that there is no amount of years lies goes, the truth will surely come out.

I like my other friends, TAO11 because he always come up with concrete evidence. Whereas you always come up with your lame evidence.

Respect55:
Truth be told, Joshua has lost it. He can't stand Wilder

Is it Wilder that lost like baby against FURY and Joshua beat Fury

MrNipplesLover:
Coronavirus is a no respecter of anybody.



coro is a bastard.

That is not the case, I think HIM Oonirisa Palace are trying to limit the amount of tourists that flood the Palace. It is just a precautions against the tourist not him and not even his subject.

WaleFoto:


is it the step taken all about him or the very large crowd and tourists DT storm d palace every day. What about the staff; cleaners, palace aids, security men and others or would he use mystical powers to protect everyone that steps in d palace.
if u are familiar with the Sowore story wen he came visiting before the elections, u go know say nothing fit do DT king, na just d people wey dey storm d place

If you watch the YouTube, you will realise that there is Jazz, everyone was running out of Palace. The king and entourage just sit there they look them.

davidnazee:


Na wa. Your mumu no get second.
Didn’t you see the heading of that ranking of Kings?
It says “Lord Lugard’s memoranda “. Don’t u know who lord lugard is? Or u don’t know the meaning of memoranda?

Ọdẹ, ọmọ dindin rìn, That is not Lord Lugard Memo, it suppose to have back dated, which I can't see

davidnazee:


That your picture doesn’t say anything. It’s a group picture and Ooni was the host of that event hence he sat in the middle.
You are soo dumb to think sitting in middle in a group picture makes u the head.

I taught you have brain, now I see that you are brainless, me I gave you Gazette of British Museum of pictures of organise meetings between British Governor and the Obas and they were ranked accordingly. Instead you are scanning 2013 Magazine published and make photocopy and mistaken it for Gazette.

I can see that now, you are the most dumb human in existence. I don't need to argue with foolish head and brainless like you.

davidnazee:


Poor you. I sense disappointment in you seeing a 1917 British document that ranked Oba of Benin much higher than your small Ooni and your Ijebu king lol. Everyone knows it’s Awolowo that elevated Ooni to his present position.
See the document again and cry.

This is not British Gazette, it Publication from Oyo News Publications. Read the News Paper Headlines yourself. Don't you go to school

davidnazee:


I always said you and Tao are foolish boys.
Look at the colonial era rankings of Nigeria kings by your British colonial masters.
Oba of Benin as always been greater than your Oni.

This picture says otherwise

davidnazee:


I always said you and Tao are foolish boys.
Look at the colonial era rankings of Nigeria kings by your British colonial masters.
Oba of Benin as always been greater than your Oni.

Your forge and edited paper, this picture says otherwise

TAO11:


And regarding the bit about Oduduwa coming from the sky, that obviously belongs to the strongly held body of Yoruba mythology.

We embrace our mythology unapologetically just as every other nation out there in the world.

Please tell me, do you really believe that the Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa I was just being plain stupid when he said that:

The first Oba of Benin was given birth to by God Almighty Himself as His last born son ??

Reference: Enawekponmwen. B. Eweka, "Evolution of Benin Chieftancy Titles", UNIBEN Press (1992), p. 2. cited in Roger Blench & Matthew Spriggs, "Archaeology and Language 1: Theoretical and Methodological Orientations" (2004), p. 314.

Please let them see the gathering and respect given to Oonirisa with pictures taken during colonial era

TAO11:


Talking about rewriting history, can you possibly provide me with one (only one) academic historical evidence/proof which shows that the Yoruba people replaced the name "Benin" with the name "Ife" or "Oyo" at any point in time in history??

But if you can't (and certainly you can't, as such "proof" exists only in your wild imagination) then proceed to sob secretly as always.

Moreover, the naming of "the bight" after Benin is just as arbitrary and inconsequential as the description of "the whole continent" as Ethiopia, or the description of "the whole of the West Africa region" as Guinea.

This is an archaic practice by which the early European imperialists generally give arbitrary care-free taxonomy to a larger region based on a more specific region with which they are more acquainted.

And the specific reason why the early European imperialists (the first Portuguese) were more acquainted with Benin was the topographic advantage of the coast near Ughoton, which was the most accessible as a natural harbour (to the interior) by the ships of the first Portuguese seafarers in the late 1400s.

These Europeans obviously had no other reason to prefer one area/coas of the Nigeria region over another (as the stopping point of their ships) because they were simply visiting for the first time ever, and they would be setting off from their ships unto the coast of the Nigeria region for the first time ever.

This European arbitrary naming of names, therefore, amounts literally to nothing regarding the greatness (or the lack thereof) of the specific regions whose names they've adopted (simply for acquaintance and convinience sake) for the larger regions.

Guinea is not absolute in any way imaginable among the general West Africa people, neither was Ethiopia the mightiest force on the continent at any point in history, nor is Benin absolute in any way possible over the Yoruba powers of the region.

To maraud, therefore, with an arbitrary taxonomy such as Bight of "Benin", or an old map with the name "Benin" (drawn obviously by an imperial cartographer, and labelled on the basis of acquaintance and convinience) is not only mor0nic; it also speaks volume of your low self-esteem.

Lastly, that image which you described as showing a "king in the picture" is not a photograph.

Rather, it is a drawing by an artist (perhaps a Bini) based on his personal imagination.

It is pathetic that you needed me to clarify this for you.

The Ooni of Ife is an overlord to the Oba of Benin. ... Says who?:

Says the experts and academics such as Margaret Plass of The University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with William Fagg.

Says also the British Museum/BBC History & Art Documentary which I've shared on this platform platform many times, and which Sewgon79 has also shared on this particular thread.

My brother, please shows them the picture of Ọba in Yoruba. Where Oonirisa was sitting in middle above all and by right is the father of the recent Ọba of Benin with Colonial Governor.

You can even see that they regard Ooni more than the rest.

davidnazee:


Lol. Stop fooling yourself.
Benin conquered Ijebu.,

Or you should stop dreaming over your so call kingdom that is backward in nature and everything. At first you guys say your king don't travel.

When he saw His Imperial Majesty, Oonirisa modernising the throne by travelling to showcase the beauty of Yoruba throne Internationally . I realise your king is a learner. He too start going from village to state. I was thinking he will be invited and honour abroad the way His Imperial Majesty Oonirisa was honoured in America, Uk, Brazil, Canada, to mention but few.

davidnazee:


Ok so you agree Benin ruled Eastern Yorubaland for hundreds of years.

They rule Àkókò which have similarly culture with Benin and language. To me I don't really see Àkókò as Yoruba cuz their language defer.

I am talking about real Yoruba, Ijebu, Oyo, Iseyin, Ẹ̀gbá, etc

davidnazee:


See proof.

What is a just an idea, no fact. According what you posted, it said Jebou, well IJEBU is IJEBU not Jebou. And all the theory in your book have no concret fact. Just hearsay or idea.

ogmask:


King jaja did not fight the British they had trade disagreement. If you want to talk of a king that fought the British or the whites your best bet is the oba of Benin.

Ọba of Benin didn't fight British, he kill the emissary send by British unaware and British wage war against him, he fled to Calabar. He died in Calabar and his son was made king instead and he reach agreement with British.

The real king that fight British is Ijebu kingdom. It was a battle of Imagbon. British have to recruit more soldiers from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Up north Hausa to fight IJEBU.

Go and check the history. It is called Imagbon War, the war took long and both parties finally reached agreement, that is how Ijebu gave Epe to British as part of bargain for trade purposes.

davidnazee:


So you don’t know that almost half of Yorubaland was under Benin rule..
even before the British carried out the punitive expedition against Benin, Benin have been carrying out punitive expeditions against Yoruba anytime they misbehave.
Read below..

Warfare, Banditry and Rebellion: Ethnicity and Slave Recruitment in Northeastern Yorubaland, 1820-1893

Eastern Yorubaland also felt the impact of its powerful eastern neighbor, Benin. When Benin invaded Ekiti between 1818-1823, the aim was to quell provincial revolt and regain control over the region’s economy. Indeed by reasserting control over the trade routes, which linked it with Yorubaland, Benin strengthened the position of its long distance traders, the Ekhengbo (from Ekhen Egbo) (ekhen, traders; egbo, forest). Akure and Benin traditions agree that the invasion of Akure was precipitated by a commercial dispute following an attack on a Benin tobacco trader, Ogonto, who was accused of violating an Akure law. Even though the information is scanty, it is possible to situate the Benin invasion at this time and the economic dispute at its root, within the context of the rise in the supply of slaves by the wars in Yorubaland and Hausaland. Benin traders would have desired to tap into the northern Yoruba slave fields as well as send foreign goods into the interior. They would have also wanted alternative markets, even if temporary, to counterbalance the disruptive effect of the Nupe political crisis on Benin’s trade with the Niger. Consequently, Benin soldiers, under Ologbosere Imaran and Ezemo Erebo, carried out punitive expeditions, which left so much destruction that the fear of Benin lingered on till the early years of colonial occupation. Several Ekiti, Akoko and Owo towns were sacked and in them were created Benin colonies under the Balekale (consuls).

With the victory, Benin reasserted its control over trade in Ekiti, Owo and Akoko, and Benin enclaves in Owo, Akure, Ikere and Ado-Ekiti became the nexus of trade between Benin and Yorubaland. Both Akure and Idanre traditions agree that owing to Benin commercial activities, a nineteenth century ruler, Deji Gbogi and an influential woman, Olokoju both of Akure founded Alade village/market (near Idanre) as a meeting point for Ekiti, Idanre, Ondo, Owo, Ijebu, Benin and Ijesa traders. Imported items such as guns, salt and metal implements from Benin were sold as far as Ilesa, Ekiti and Ilorin. This earned the Ekhengbo the distinction of being called the “first long-distance traders in Ekiti.” Although the Akure king’s list seems to put Igbogi in an earlier century, the reference to the importation of guns would put his reign in the mid-nineteenth century. Most significant was that commercial metal products point to the position of Akure as a regional market. As we shall show in chapter four, Benin traders undermined direct commercial contacts between Ekiti and Ondo for a greater part of the century.

I was thinking you said they enslave Yoruba, who doesn't know that Benin went back to claim their brother who are in Àkókò and those Ondo State Ekiti that share same similarities and traditions with Benin.

What I am expecting to hear is that they, overcame Ijebu. Because me I know my IJEBU people, we will finish you guys with invisible Juju. The one you can't see.

NwaAmaikpe:




You disrespected Eke Idemili by picking him up like that with a bamboo.
You should have knelt down with a perfumed hand-glove to pick him up, then put him in your bag and take him home.
Sadly, you missed that golden opportunity.

If I were you and my blessing for this year depended on Eke Idemili's visit, I'd speedily chase away Mama Ramotu from my marital bed and lay Eke Idemili on it.

I laugh in Yellow. Guy you should be a comedian

ghostwon:

I keep having the same debate with you yari.bas.
You guys always come up with the same arguments.
I don't even know how many times I have already debunked that video.
It is not a documentary, it is a bunch of videos put together and whose speakers are not known for most of it. It is just an other quack job.

This is why no Edo wants to talk to you guys, you repeat the same debunked claims over and over and you don't have enough intelligence to see you are quoting trash.

You debunked the video. You debunked truth and spread lies in a 4 minutes video.

Smcheeee. I laugh in green and white. You guys like fabricating stories to make that your kingdom that was recognised as 2nd class Oba over the Imperial Majesty, Oonirisa, Adimula of Any speaking Yoruba entity in the whole world. ẹ. g. CUBA, ECUADOR, BRAZIL, VENEZUELA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, USA, BRITAIN, mentioned but few.

Believe me you sound like quack, who knows nothing about history, but the fabricated story.

Even your current Ọba late father testify that Oonirisa of Ife is greatest of all Ọba.

ghostwon:
What is it with you people and quoting of blogs ?
Facts:
1) ijebu were defeated by a mere captain
2) ijebu were defeated in 1897

You are talking about what happened to Benin empire as if I should be ashamed,band they makes me laugh.

Actually the capital of Benin empire is called Benin city and it was burned to the ground. The King upon his surrender was sent into exile by the enemy (the British).
Guess who else was sent into exile,: Napoleon Bonaparte. Also the emperor of Germany (although by his own people).

So Ijebu is not even Capital of Yoruba. Ijebu is like Clan or Another Yoruba town. Just reason it, if Ijebu can give a whole British Governor this kind wàhálà. I believe that they won't try move close to Ife (the source).

Baba, according to history and archive Ijebu have to bargain with British with payment just to allow trading in our land.

I guess that is not your case. Your were banished, his palace were ransacked. He run for his life.

ghostwon:


I hope you know Jebu is part of Nigeria, meaning you guys were colonized ! So why are you speaking such nonesense ?

Your king surrendered to a mere captain. A mere captain and his few troops defeated your should I say "rebellion" ?
Benin lost to an admiral ! You get the difference.

Also you don't seem to understand the British were attacking Benin during Igue Festival. It is a well known military strategy to attack your enemy when he is least prepared. And the British did it to us.

Also when your capital is being overwhelmed by enemy troops it is military custom for the King to retreat while so that the fight can continue. That is what the emperor of Russia did when he faced Napoleon in Moscou. And in the ending he won.
In the case of Benin, the King came back and surrendered in order to stop the bloodshed I am told.

Also the Jebu were defeated in 1892 while Benin was defeated in 1897. 1897 is after 1892 ! This debunks your "British were stop at entry of Imagbon coming through Benin into Ijebu." claim.

Sorry to disappoint you again, it is not just Captain. He is Acting Governor of British Colony.

However, in May 1891, a British acting governor, Captain C.M Denton C.M.G, together with some Hausa troops (mostly slaves who fled the North to South and were recruited by the British army)

ghostwon:


I hope you know Jebu is part of Nigeria, meaning you guys were colonized ! So why are you speaking such nonesense ?

Your king surrendered to a mere captain. A mere captain and his few troops defeated your should I say "rebellion" ?
Benin lost to an admiral ! You get the difference.

Also you don't seem to understand the British were attacking Benin during Igue Festival. It is a well known military strategy to attack your enemy when he is least prepared. And the British did it to us.

Also when your capital is being overwhelmed by enemy troops it is military custom for the King to retreat while so that the fight can continue. That is what the emperor of Russia did when he faced Napoleon in Moscou. And in the ending he won.
In the case of Benin, the King came back and surrendered in order to stop the bloodshed I am told.

Also the Jebu were defeated in 1892 while Benin was defeated in 1897. 1897 is after 1892 ! This debunks your "British were stop at entry of Imagbon coming through Benin into Ijebu." claim.

Maybe you need to read the story very well, they made attempts, no avail. British went to gather army from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Hausa légion just to attack Ijebu. But they later reach agreement, not defeat or ransacked or banished like your kingdom.



Battle Of Imagbon

British-Ijebu War of 1892 (Battle Of Imagbon)
The final battle by which Ijebu fell took place on 19 May 1892 at the village of Imagbon. This short war claimed the lives of up to a thousand Ijebu.

The Yoruba country had been connected with England throughout the 19th century, since the days when the slave-trade on the West Coast of Africa flourished. And the connexion had been maintained, and in latter days on happier lines. The Yoruba country lies to the west and south of the River Niger. Its western boundary was the French territory of Dahomey. On the north it extended almost to the Niger, while on the south the Atlantic Ocean washed its sandy coast-line. A break in the coast-line indicated the entrance to the lagoon and the situation of the island of Lagos. To the north-east of Lagos lay a patch of country about 40 by 40 miles in extent, covered with dense forest, and watered by numerous streams and rivulets, which found their way to the great lagoon on the south, and finally into the Atlantic.

This country was occupied by the Jebu tribe of the Yoruba nation, numbering perhaps 200,000 around 1900 — a tribe not living in huge towns, as the Egbas did in Abeokuta, and the true Yorubas in Ibadan, but scattered for the most part through their country in villages and tiny hamlets, each with its clearing in the forest where the land as been claimed for purposes of cultivation. The country was governed by a king holding the title of Awujale, who lived in the chief town, Ijebu Ode, a town then containing perhaps 15,000 inhabitants.

The Jebus had figured prominently in the history of the Yoruba nation, and they considered themselves superior to the other tribes of the nation, and acted accordingly. They closed their country largely to friendly external intercourse, and while Jebus moved freely over the whole Yoruba country buyin and selling (for they were keen traders), they did not freely extend the same privileges to others. A journey from the north through the Ijebu country was not infrequently attended with difficulty and danger to property or life, and the Jebus were feared by many.


This condition of things in the Ijebu country at length came under the notice of the Lagos Colonial authorities, with the result that an agreement was made with the king of Ijebu Ode allowing travellers to pass up and down the country in safety. The agreement, however, was soon violated. A native messenger, returning up-country through Ijebu Ode, was robbed and killed. Carriers were molested and hindered, and other serious irregularities were perpetrated.

During the years 1888-1892 the Ijebus had shown an increasing contempt for the whites as exemplified in their treatment of the officials of the Lagos Government and the missionaries who traveled through their country. They had a tradition which revealed the root of their contempt, and indicated their view of the origin of the whites. Many centuries ago a male and female albino were born in different parts of the Ijebu country. African albinos are white, and when these people grew up, no black person would engage to marry them. They were therefore brought together, placed in a canoe, given a supply of food and water, and sent away across the lagoon. When after many years the white men came to the Ijebu county it was thought that they must be the descendants of the albinos whom they had driven out. Absurd as this tradition is, the Ijebus treated white persons as if they believed it to be true.

In 1891, the Ijebu tribe, dwelling between 50 and 60 miles north-east of Lagos on the Magbon river, set a blockade on the trade route from the interior into Lagos, which was a crown colony, and charged customs dues which served as their income. The Awujale, the traditional ruler of Ijebu, closed down the Ejirin market, cutting off Lagos from a source of up-country trade.

The British government persuaded the Awujale several times to open the blockaded route but the Ijebu ruler remained adamant. However, in May 1891, a British acting governor, Captain C.M Denton C.M.G, together with some Hausa troops (mostly slaves who fled the North to South and were recruited by the British army) went to Ijebu kingdom to make an agreement with the Awujale on opening the blockaded route and allowing the free passage of goods into Lagos.


The treaty was broken almost as soon as it was signed, caravans were robbed, white men assaulted, a mailman was murdered, and a peremptory demand sent to the Ibadan chiefs for the heads of the Revs. Tom Harding and D. Olubi (a native minister) of the Church Missionary Society. This was intolerable, and a punitive expedition was sent into the Ijebu country. In 1892 a small British expedition was sent up to the Ijebu country to enforce order. The Jebus opposed the expedition, were defeated and submitted. The Awujale resisted, but after much persuasion and pressure, the Awujale agreed in January 1892 on the terms of receiving £500 annually as compensation for the loss of custom revenue.

Shortly before the military expedition left Lagos for the Ijebu country, special services were held in some of the Lagos churches for humiliation and confession, and for prayer for Divine guidance to all concerned. Some Christians at Lagos felt that if the influences of all professing the name of Christ in the colony had been consistent with their profession, and if there had been more earnest efforts to send the Gospel into the Ijebu country, the state of its people would possibly have been very different.

The agreement didn’t last long. A white missionary was denied access to pass through the kingdom and was sent back. The British government were provoked by the action of the Ijebus and authorized the use of force on the kingdom. Britain gathered troops from Gold Coast (Ghana), Sierra Leone, Ibadan, and Lagos (the Hausa troops nearly 150). Colonel F.C. Scott C.B was the commander of the troops of 450 men piled up by Britain. On the 12th of May, 1892, the captain and his men, including some carriers, sailed up the Lagos Lagoon and landed at Ekpe. When they got to Leckie, another carriers about 186 in numbers were recruited. On the Ijebu side, 8000 men with old rifles would be fighting the British.

A British representative was placed in Ijebu Ode, the country was opened, trade began to stream up and down the country, and a forward movement in things both material and spiritual began, advancing at first very slowly, but which increased in power as it progressed, and was such that a European Government official, who knew the town soon after its first occupation, and who returned to it after a long absence, said that he could scarcely believe that they were the same people.

Even before the opening of the country various attempts had been made from time to time to reach the people. As long ago as the 1850s Rev. C. A. Gollmer had tried to open up work on the outskirts of the country, but had failed owing to the opposition of the people. In the 1880s the Rev. James Johnson, who was himself of Igebu extraction, ventured to enter the country with a view to begin work among them; and a few years afterwards a further attempt was made by him and another to get into Ijebu Ode from Lagos. These two succeeded in obtaining from the king permission to send a teacher, who was supported by them, but the people generally refused to have the teacher, and he had to leave.

In spite, however, of this exclusiveness, the Christian religion was not entirely unknown. A story is told of a girl who went to Lagos, learned to read while there, and brought back a Bible to her home. Her friends in inquired what she was reading, and on being told, took the book from (her and destroyed it. At the time of the opening of the country there were a few in Ijebu Ode who, like this girl, had in the course of their trading journeys come into contact with the Christian religion and had been favorably impressed by it; and when the district became somewhat settled, these few sent to Lagos to ask for some one to be sent to Ijebu Ode to instruct them further.

The Ijebus were divided into two sub-divisions, Ijebu Ode and Ijebu Remon; and the chief of the latter, subordinate to the Awujale or head chief of the former, was killed with ceremony after a rule of three years. Dr. Frazer, in his "Early History of the Kingship", gives numerous instances showing the rise of the head magician to the rank of king, accompanied not infrequently by his enforced death after a certain interval, in order that the divine power residing in him should not be weakened through approaching age.

The lesson taught by thd expedition to the arrogant king and chiefs of Ijebu was not lost upon the other members of the Yoruba family, and in a short time all roads were opened to trade, and had never since that time been closed. A period of prosperity set in at that time which continues to increase. Ijebu proved to be one of the "open doors" to the forces of education and Christianity, albeit those doors were opened by a military expedition.

A sample of pitch was received at the Imperial Institute in February 1904, accompanied by a letter from the Colonial Secretary, Lagos, stating that it was obtained from the Ijebu Territory of the Colony, and requesting that it should be chemically examined with a view to ascertaining whether it possessed any commercial value. The specimen consisted of a rather soft and adhesive pitch which melted fairly completely at 65° C.(i49° F.). The material contained, distributed throughout it, portions of dried twigs and leaves, and patches of earthy matter. These last were found by microscopical examination to consist of clear quartz grains embedded in a mixture of decomposed organic matter. The crude pitch had a somewhat unpleasant odour resembling that of guano.

A commercial expert to whom the pitch was submitted reported that it was suitable for electrical purposes and for the manufacture of street-paving. It was suggested, however, that in order to save freight the foreign matter should be separated on the spot, and only the purified material exported. The latter would command a price of from £4 to £4 10s. per ton in the UK. These results show that this Lagos pitch, when properly prepared, would possess some commercial value.

ghostwon:


The story about ife is a myth.
There is no record of ife being any kind of power.
The british made the ooni of ife relevant and he served the british interests, he was very faithful to the british.

Oyo was never recorded as an empire, too much rewriting of history is going on.
The only empire recorded in the south is Benin empire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp8flCwvoAU&t=110s

But out of low self esteem nigerians all want to create their own version of history in which their ancestors were conquerors.
As if that would change anything in their lives.
Let us just accept history and stop distorting it.
We can't change the passed but we can build the future.
Israelis are all descendents of slaves, yet their country is very powerful today (among the strongest 8 nuclear world powers).
History is important, because when you know your history, not some fables, nobody can push you around and say things like: "blacks had no civilisation before the whites arrived" or "blacks lived like monkeys before the coming of the whites". A lot of black youth have an incredibly low self-esteem because the fables being told to them do not withstand the test of logics, and when they understand that they have been told a lie, they fall from a very high horse and lose all self-esteem.
So people, stop passing fables as history.
Let us teach the actual history to our kids and adults.

Thank you.

Sorry to disappoint you. There is documentary with fact that shows the superiority of Ife Kingdom over Benin Kingdom.

Check this out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQY_Jd--pwI

TAO11:
It's been some time that I've been hoping to create a quite detailed academic thread on the primacy and the imperial might of ancient Ife in the West Africa region.

People generally tend to over-focus their attention solely on Oyo and Benin kingdoms, thus often ignoring the fact that before these two kingdoms attained "imperial" status (or even before they were founded), the West African region had a military, economic, artistic, and religious advanced super power --- Ife.

In fact, the insult gets more worrissom when some even dare to ask who is greater Ooni or Alaafin? Some even ask Ooni or Oba of Benin?

It's no more than asking which is brighter: a sunny day or a moonless night?

These unfortunate comparisons pop-up on Nairaland, I think because, most discussions about ancient Ife almost always centers around the mythical aspects only with little or no academic substantiation.

It's hightime amateurish non-acadamic pseudo-historical narratives are dropped for good, and history is presented as it was, and as is been preserved in extant historical sources.

Someone should please guide me with a simple step-by-step procedure to creating a thread.This topic is long overdue.

I am obviously not very savvy with interacting with this platform.

Thanks!

cc:
Olu317
Obalufon
ImperialYoruba
Sewgon79
2fine2fast
Amujale

gregyboy
ghostwon

Good afternoon Ọmọlúwàbí,

As per written an article on Ìfẹ́ dynasty and history. I will suggest you watch this documentary. Most of highlighted history are topnotch.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQY_Jd--pwI

I believe this will help.

Also I will advise you go on expedition to Ilé Ifè and Ife Palace, they will attend to you and feed you with true and fact.

Thank you in advance for doing this

davidnazee:


I won’t give u any reference because it’s obvious it won’t make any difference to u especially as you don’t even know how the name “Benin Massacre” came about.
FYI “Benin Massacre” is title of the book written by the survivor from captain Philips crew. That’s when that name was first used, he wrote a book describing the events of that day. He was the one that named that event Benin Massacre and since then people like you confuse it to mean the punitive expedition.

If you are wise you will know that the British will never use the term “Massacre” to describe any of their atrocities in Africa.

Anyways like I said earlier, you are dumb and won’t understand so bye little boy.

See you, you are shouting here as if it is only Benin that fought British Colonial. Have you heard about Imagbon War. Maybe you should do. Ijebu are not coward that will just kill unprepared British soldiers, we ijebu fight them battles for battle. That is reason Ijebu was not colonised till today.

The British army all sleep off and disappeared till today. Nothing to write stories about. British were stop at entry of Imagbon coming through Benin into Ijebu.

Go and confirm, our king didn't need to run, we were not conquered.

davidnazee:


If you want to be excited I can tell u stories of Benin’s many wars in Yorubaland.. our many conquests and enslavement of Yorubas.

Please do tell me the story or history of when Yoruba were enslave by Benin kingdom. Cuz I haven't heard about it before.

Mbilla:
The guy is right. Marriage is not friendship. You rush to marry Igbo women because of the qualities you see in them that you can't see in your ugly dirty yoruba women. Stop fooling yourself , no man in his right sense will pay 500 thousands to millions for bride price to a woman family who is not from his tribe, if the woman doesn't worth it.

Seriously I always pity the fools that pay such huge amount of money on some arrogant, pride pigs for nothing that always believe they entitle to everything. Smcheee

Meninmen:



I don't like when people take arguments and expand it. Nobody is talking about not getting along with the governor. We are saying as it stands today, the Edo state governor can't dethrone the Oba of Benin whether they get along or not. The best the governor can do is to stop some funds going to the palace (not budgetary allocations)

Now, you talk about governor paying the oba. You must understand that the palace gets budgetary allocations every year and once a budget is passed, it becomes law to be obeyed.

Let's even assumes the governor stops allocation to the palace, I can tell you the oba can survive and run the palace expenses without breaking a sweat.

You said state governors can do what ever they like. You are right to some extent, but I can tell you that for the Edo state governor to dethrone the oba, it means, the law will have to be reviewed by the state house of Assembly, and I can tell you that will be a tall order.


You gave example of Kano. Kano is not Benin. They select their Emir from a list of candidates from the ruling houses. Benin doesn't operate that system. Like I told you b4, the next oba of Benin is the first son of the current oba. The oba of Benin is by birth. No governor can change that. It is not based on the whims and caprices of a sitting governor. The oba of Benin is the only first class king that is crowned this way (by birth), I stand to be corrected though.


So, leave what happened in Kano and what happens else where. I am from Edo State, though not Bini by tribe. I am Esan (Ishan). Binis don't play with their Oba.


Law or no law sef, dem never born the governor to dethrone the oba of Benin. Don't know why I am having this argument with you sef

Why is it that, you guys use ỌBA for your KING, less I forget ọba is YORUBA name for King. It shows you guys inherit our tradition and KINGSHIP STYLE through ORANMIYAN.

Secondly, do you realise that OONIRISA was recognised as Imperial Monarch by Carribean countries, Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, etc

They even recognised OONIRISA as their King and Spiritual Leader.

Make una tell these village people that in Ife, world leaders prostrate for Ooni.

Obasanjo
Brazilian Ambassador
Cuban Ambassador

Una take ordinary Governor kneel as some achievement. mmmmtchhheewww.....

I am waiting for how many country that recognise your Ọba.

Why is that it is only your King that is using Ọba in your locality. It shows where you get that name from.