#Didyouknow that under the 1st 3 Benin monarchs - Oba Eweka, Oba Uwakhuanhen & Oba Ehenmihen, Benin city was under a republican govt while the Obas ruled only a part of Benin kingdom from Usama (a village outside Benin city).
#thread
#thread
After the last Ogiso, Ogiso Owodo (1059-1100) ordered the execution of his only son, Ekhaladerhan (who was allowed to escape into exile) he too was exiled. This led to a period of republican govt led by Evian, the 2nd son of Ehọlọr n’Ire, one of the then Edionisen of Benin.
Evian was a blacksmith & medicine man who became loved after killing the man-eating monster at Ogiso (Agbado) market & did a ritual within the city to protect citizens against further wild animals. The city then acclaimed for his leadership.
After his popular appointment & service as the republican city’s administrator, Evian sought to establish a monarchy & dynasty by installing his eldest son nicknamed Ogiamiẹn as the next ruler. Some factions of the country led by the Edionisen would didn’t agree to this.
They argued that if monarchy is to be reintroduced it must be the Ekhaladerhan, the exiled prince who should rule to continue the old dynasty. Already, Ogiefa, a Yoruba traditional doctor from Ifẹ living in Benin had told the Edionisen that Ekhaladerhan had bcom a ruler in Ife..
..and has taken the name Izoduwa.
So the Edionisen sent Ogiefa to Ife to plead with Ekhaladerhan to send a son to become king. Ekhaladerhan sent Prince Ọranmiyan to Benin but the prince was not allowed into the city by Ogiamiẹn’s supporters, so he settled at Usama.
So the Edionisen sent Ogiefa to Ife to plead with Ekhaladerhan to send a son to become king. Ekhaladerhan sent Prince Ọranmiyan to Benin but the prince was not allowed into the city by Ogiamiẹn’s supporters, so he settled at Usama.
Ọranmiyan only had the support of the Edionisen but not the people. He married the daughter of one of the Edionisen but became irritated by the people's treatment & departed after impregnating a chief’s daughter. His son became Ọba Ẹwẹka (1180-1246), the 1st Ọba of Benin.
Ẹwẹka & his 1st 2 successors, his sons Ọba Uwakhuahẹn (1246-1250) & Ọba Ehẹnmihẹn (1250-1260), continued to live outside the inner city walls of Benin at their Usama palace. They were not respected by the Edionisen who had assumed the privileges of equals.
During this period Benin city was a Republic run by Ogiamiẹn. Ọba Ehẹnmihẹn before his death had urged his heir Prince Efabọ (the future Ọba Ẹwẹdo) to leave Usama and push into Benin City proper to rule.
Ọba Ẹwẹdo (1255-1280) is said have fought Ogiamen in the battle of "Ekiokpagha" which the Oba won. Ẹkiokpagha formerly a market is now by St. Matthew’s Church. A treaty was struck requiring Ogieamie, as the traditional landlord of Igodomigodo kingdom, to sell Benin land to...
...the Oba at the coronation of every successive Oba.
Oba Ewedo discontented with the rudely behaviors of the Edionisen called them ‘Emwan nei zama omwan’ meaning people who don't show respect to their Oba this was later corrupted into Uzama. He then reduced their power
End
Oba Ewedo discontented with the rudely behaviors of the Edionisen called them ‘Emwan nei zama omwan’ meaning people who don't show respect to their Oba this was later corrupted into Uzama. He then reduced their power
End
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