A cross section of Uzama Edion. Sitting from right to left are Edaiken N’Uselu, Oliha Edohen, Ezomo, Ero and Oloton N.B., Eholor N’Ire is absent
BOOK REVIEW: The Benin Monarchy and Ogiamien Connection: The Historical Facts
THE Outburst against the long time revered tradition of the Benin Kingdom by a section of the Ogiamien family, in Benin City led by Rich Arisco Osemwegie has provoked critical discourses about the Benin Monarchy in recent time.
We all know that the easiest way to destroy a civilization is by tearing a people’s culture and traditions into shreds. The attempt by the Ogiamien family to deride the rich Benin cultural heritage for a selfish motive through the instrumentality of the free press no doubt raised salient issues that should be nipped in the bud.
Their ineffectual misinformation of the people through published stories in the Trumpet Newspaper was part of the process of reinforcing strange and abominable historical accounts of Benin Monarchy.
An average Benin man or woman does not play with any issue bothering on the king. The Benin Royal Institution symbolized by the Monarch is one of the most respected all over the world. In fact, the Benin’s revere their monarch, in high esteem that His Royal Majesty is seen as God’s visible representative on earth.
But on that fateful day, the people were surprised In a swift reaction the Benin Traditional Council condemned this abominable action at a meeting of Benin’s in the palace of Oba of Benin. The Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, MON, described the incident as a brazen violation of certain sections of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of Edo State of (1979), and directed it must be condemned by all well meaning Benin people.
Photo: Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare ll
Precisely on September 17, 2015, the entire Benin Kingdom, Traditional Chiefs, Dukes (Enigie), men, women and youths from all walks of life in the kingdom gathered at the royal palace, stood up as one person to condemn what was termed an abomination, rebellion and desecration of the culture and tradition of the Benin Kingdom and people.
This action of the Arisco led anti-royalist Ogiamien supporters raised a lot of dust in Benin Kingdom, which can only settle when the truth is revealed as to the princely lineage of the Ogiamen family in Benin Kingdom. To achieve that purpose, this book was written.
The 269 page book with the title, The Benin Monarch and Ogiamien Connection, The Historical Facts, published by MINDEX publishing company limited is a compendium that has illuminated grey areas surrounding Ogiamienism in Benin history.
The book traces Benin history from the Owere era to Ogiso Owodo’s maladministration, the interregnum of Evian as a leader (Okaebo) and Ogiamiens insurgency.
The history of Ekaladerhan and the Benin life relationships was also brought to bear on how Oba Ewedo ruthlessly put paid to Ogiamienism with the memorable battle at Ekiokpagha in about 1255 AD which ultimately eliminated all forms of republicanism in Benin Kingdom.
It was therefore an unexpected development to concerned persons (indigenes and non-indigenes) who were taken aback sometime in 2015 when the Ogiamien family tried to resurface the insurgency which had been eliminated about 800 years ago.
But the authors of this book, Chief (Hon.) Osayomwabo Osemwegie Ero and Mr. S.P. Owie have painstakingly traced the historical facts and highlighted the truths of the matter for all people of goodwill to read.
The Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe in the foreword disclosed the genesis of the production of the book which has eight chapters, eight appendixes, 2 tablets, seven figures and 65 plates. It became imperative to tell the story of the Ogiamien connection in Benin History.
In his word, “a brand new version of Ogiamienism emerged in the year 2015 with unjustified, yet venomous tantrums of anti-royalist pretensions.
“Buoyed with a tabloid, the Ogiamien Trumpet, this section of the Ogiamien family did not spare themselves the trouble of any attempt at nicety. Thus, it became necessary for us, as Omo N’Oba’s Chiefs to try and explain to enquiring friends and well-wishers of Benin people, the non-existence of an origin for these attacks.
“The Chiefs during one of the usual meetings, therefore, decided to sponsor the production of a written story on the subject. This book which is the result of their effort covers a brief history of relevant periods of the Ogiso dynasty, the Edion N’Isen, who are today known as the Uzama, regarded as kingmakers, along with their origin and development.
“The book also tells stories of the myths of Evian in Igodomigodo, his anti-royalist pretensions and the subsequent Ogiamien connection. It then uncovers a brief narrative of each of the Obas dynasty and emphasizes the reign of Oba Ewedo, the emergence of Odigie Olomi, the first Iyase of Benin Kingdom, and their roles in the battle of Ekiokpada which actually spelt the end of Ogiamienism royalist pretensions.
“It brought to light how Oba Ewedo ruthlessly put “paid” to Ogiamienism with the popular battle of Ekiokpagha in 1255 AD, but forbearingly appointed the last of the belligerent pretenders, Ogiamen Irebor, into the ranks of the Uzama N’Ibie, a supplementary codicil of the Uzama elders, to honour the 1100 AD legendary heroics of Evian N’Urhiebe, the progenitor of the Ogiamen lineage.”
According to the narration in the book, “right from about the year 1100 AD which marked the end of Ogiso dynasty in Benin History, there have always been challenges during the coronation of a new Oba.
However, there has not been (at least in recorded history) where the very existence of the Benin monarch was so threatened and challenged as what some members of Ogiamien family tried to do in the year 2015.”
“ H.R.M. Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa CFR, Oba of Benin, one of the most articulate, consistent and well respected traditional rulers in Nigeria, who has been described by right-thinking persons all over the world as everything good during his thirty seven (37) years eventful reign was maligned and misrepresented by Ogiamien family members.
“Many people, Benins and non Benins alike have been so concerned at the turn of events in Benin Kingdom from about April 2015. Several meanings have been attached to the outburst of a section of Ogiamien family who spoke irreverently, discourteously and disrespectfully about the Oba of Benin.
This book which is an attempt to contribute to the field of study of great Benin history aims to give historical accounts of Benin monarchy from Ogiso dynasty to Oba dynasty which subsists till date.
“The eventual emergence of Ogiamien in Benin history began from the 5th Oba (Ewedo), and eleven other Obas (Ogbeka, Orobiru, Uwaifiokun, Ahenaze, Akenzae, Akengboi, Akenkpaye, Akengbedo and Ozuere, making a total of fifteen (15 Obas) did not either have battle (Okuoedoyo) or mock battle Okuedoyo) at Unueru (meaning war to end, finish, perish or demolish) near Ekiokpagha which resulted in what is now loosely referred to as Ekiokpagha treaty.
This book also shows that “Ogiamien has always lost the battle each time it took place from the time of Oba Ewedo to oba Erediauwa, that is, from about 1255 AD to 1979 AD. Twenty-nine out of the thirty-nine (39) Obas that have reigned and battled Ogiamien after their coronation.
“Each time a new Oba is to emerge, the Ogiamien has never accepted to pay allegiance, but history, however, has it that he has always been defeated since about seven hundred and forty-four (744) years ago, that is, from about 1255 AD to 1979 AD.
“The kingdom has always been resilient, untroubled, unperturbed and unruffled after every battle, and in the case of Ogiamien, he submits to the Oba and performs his function in the group, Uzama-N’Ibie where he belongs as the number four out of the seven members of that group.
“Chief Osarobo Okunghae Ogiamien, who a section of Ogiamien family, claimed to have been missing is yet to be found as at July 2016. The information at the disposal of the Authors of this book shows that Ogiamien family is yet to officially inform Oba palace that one of his chiefs (Ogiamien) is missing and ask for His Royal Majesty’s directives.
The book further explains that, “When the issue of chief Osarobo has not been concluded and pronounced dead and burial ceremonies conducted, any person who does anything to proclaim himself Ogiamien under any guise is at risk of sanction by the government in line with chieftaincy laws of the state.
Such a person would also be sanctioned culturally by the Oba’s palace and the ancestors would certainly find him guilty at the end.
It should now be appreciated why the palace is on course prosecuting planned programmes and activities of the Coronation of His Highness, Crown Prince (Amb) Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu as the new Oba of Benin not minding distractions from a section of Ogiamien family on the battle they lost in about 1255 AD.
Therefore everyone is advised to ignore them as their matter is not worth having sleepless night over.
The first chapter of the book introduces relevant sections of the Ogiso dynasty, the consolidation of the monarchy under Ogiso Era, 16 AD-66 AD, Ogiso Orire (The young) about 66 AD-100 AD and the names, ruling dates and performances of the thirty one (31) Ogiso kings (40 BC-1100 AD), are displayed in a table.
The second chapter gives the origin and development of the Uzama chiefs in Benin history. They are group of leaders selected to apply the law of succession to the throne of Benin, according to rulers of the time.
The Uzama actually do not make kings in Benin, but they crown the kings.Therefore, they are king crowner, putting the crown on the head of the kings is done by the Oliha who is their leader. Benin kings are not made but are born and once a king is born, the Uzama chiefs take care by making sure that the heir apparent to the throne is not denied his chance of ascension.
In this chapter, the role of Uzama chiefs in the restoration of the Benin monarchy was mentioned, as well as the fact that Ogiamien would not have been made a chief because of his untoward activities, but for his father (Evian’s) grace and the generosity of Oba Ewedo.
From the research of the authors, it remains an incontrovertible fact that right from the time of Oba Ewedo (about 1255 AD-1280 AD) who created Ogiamien title as well as other six title holders or chiefs in this group, they all performed their various duties and services to the Oba. Ogiamien remains a chief in Oba’s palace and all chiefs perform duties given to them by tradition.
The third chapter which examines Evian in Igodomigodo (Benin History) (About 1130 AD-1170 AD) revealed that Evian was not a member of the Benin royal family.
According to the authors, “there is no amount of shinning that would change citizen Evian from a good administrator (Okaevbo), who held forth during the interregnum to become a royalty.
Quoting from the works of O.O. Ero (1999: 111), “when Evian’s end was near, he tried (because it was not his right) to persuade the people to accept his son, Irebor (Ogiamien) as his successor.” This chapter gives vivid accounts of how and why Evian came into position of leadership in the Igodomigodo (Benin History).
From the narration in the fourth chapter, it was clear that Evian was an administrator (Okavbo) and not a natural ruler like the Ogisos and the Obas.
The reason he was chosen was as a result of his redeemer status which he achieved in Benin when he drove away the flying monster, or killed the Osogan which at that time, tormented Agbado market women.
The travail of Ekaladerhan and how he became the link between the Benin’s and Yoruba’s are examined in chapter five, while chapter six specifies the names of the 39 Obas that have reigned (from Odolorre , Oranmiyan about 1170 AD – Erediauwa 2016 AD), including their periods of reign and their achievements in brief.
The seventh chapter goes in-depth into the much talked about so-called Ekiokpagha treaty and what it stood for. It was shown that it was an outward show of the military prowess of an already crowned Oba from the time of Oba Ewedo in about 1255 AD-Oba Erediauwa 1979 AD, in memory of the routing of Ogiamien’s forces by Oba Ewedo.
According to the book, it signifies that the mock battle do not in anyway validate any Oba’s coronation as was being insinuated by Ogiamian family. This chapter also shows that 15 out of the 39 Obas in Benin kingdom did not observe the Ekiokpagha ceremony and the last chapter of the book (eight) gives the account of Odigie Olomi, the first Iyase of Benin, his activities and the list of all Iyases of Benin till date.
Apart from the jolting revelations and misdemeanor that the Ogiamien insurgency evoked and now put in proper perspective through the elaborate research work carried out by the authors of this book, the Benin history has further been enriched.
It is noteworthy to add that one of the authors, chief (Hon.) Osayomwabo Osemwegie Ero, from the great Ero family of Benin is one of the seven kingmakers in Benin kingdom with over fifteen books written and published by him, while Mr. S.P. Owie is an educationist, school administrator and trained writer with over five books to his credit.
When a reader starts to read this book which has a lot of professional touch and several references he or she will find it difficult to put down without finishing it because of its lucidity, its language, simplicity and orderly presentation of historical materials.
The beautifully embossed cover with the image of Benin Bronze plaque depicting the Oba of Benin or war chief of Benin in full regalia with attendants and the pages adorned with colored photographs and illustrations makes reading the book interesting.
We must therefore commend the authors for putting together this historical piece for the present and future generations as well as salute the Benin Traditional Council for supporting the documentation of the facts about the Benin Kingdom.
Therefore, my opinion of the content and form of this wonderful literary work is that efforts should be made to ensure that it is made affordable and available for everyone interested in the history of the Great Benin Kingdom to have a copy in their library.
As a reviewer, my role is just to whet the appetite of potential readers of this work and not to give too much away.
Reviewed by Eubaldus Enahoro is Assistant Editor, Nigerian Observer Newspaper.
SOURCE: Nigerian Observer Newspaper.
