AKINLOLU FAWEHINMI : HISTORICAL CORNER: THE COMPLEX HISTORY OF THE BENIN KINGDOM Written by Yinka Aiyelokun

Benin history is a multifaceted narrative that cannot be rewritten in isolation. It must be considered within the context of the places, people, and legacies impacted over time. Historical accounts involve relationships, interactions, and influences that are indelible, and the indigenous Binis, who have a profound understanding of their heritage, will always have a voice in shaping the accurate account of their history.

=The Esan, Ijaw, Urhobos, Isokos, Olukumi, and some Igbos all record in their histories that Odole Oranmiyan was a Yoruba warrior and prince from Ife who invaded Igodomigodo, causing significant turmoil and prompting migrations out of the region. The Olukumis, who left Igodomigodo before Oranmiyan's arrival, maintain that Ekhalederan, whom the Binis claimed was their son sent to Ile-Ife, was killed—a catalyst for their departure due to safety concerns.

The Esan people contest the Bini claim that Ogiso Owodo, father of Ekhalederan, was their own son and deny that he had any son who went to Ile-Ife. Each Bini historical account often faces verifiable counterclaims, suggesting an alternative narrative. Additionally, it is believed by some that the woman who bore Prince Ado, known as Eweka, was an Esan woman.

The Bini tribe emerged after Oranmiyan waged war against Ogiso Irebor, the ruling Ogiso at the time. Contrary to Bini claims, Ogiso Owodo was not the last Ogiso; Evian and Irebor, who were neither Binis nor related to the Yorubas, succeeded him. Evian, the brother of Owodo, ruled after Owodo and was succeeded by his son, Irebor. Oranmiyan's invasion occurred during Evian's reign, and after many years of conflict, he fathered Eweka and left to establish the Oyo Empire, returning only after Eweka had grown.

During Oranmiyan's absence, Yoruba men from Ile-Ife settled in Igodomigodo, fathering children with Igodomigodo women. These children, including Eweka, later supported Oranmiyan in his battles against Ogiso Irebor. Ogiso Irebor, determined to preserve the Ogiso lineage, eventually agreed to a treaty with Oranmiyan and Eweka, ceding part of Igodomigodo to them, which was named Ile Ibinu (land of anger or vexation) and later corrupted to Benin by the Portuguese.

The Yoruba-Igodomigodo people, alongside others who did not migrate, formed the Ibini tribe, deriving from Ile Ibinu. This historical intertwining explains the cultural and nomenclatural similarities between the Binis and the Yorubas today. Additionally, Yoruba groups, such as those in the Owan region, trace their origins to another Yoruba warrior, Ogedengbe, who sought refuge in Ibini.

The Yoruba people trace their origins to Oduduwa, believed to have descended into the valley of Ile-Ife on a chain (egbé), earning the nickname "Atenworo." Oduduwa unified Ife and fathered various royal dynasties in Yorubaland. His descendants ruled kingdoms like Owu, Oyo, Ila, Ibini, Ketu, Popo, and Sabe.

There are significant differences between Yoruba and Benin perspectives on historical figures like Oduduwa. Yoruba history does not acknowledge characters like Ekaladerhan, Izoduwa, Omonoyan, Ozoduwa, or Ododuwa as part of their lineage. The connection between Ekaladerhan and Oduduwa is a revisionist history popularized in the 1970s, lacking earlier historical evidence.

Oranmiyan's conquest of Igodomigodo and the establishment of the Bini monarchy are well-documented in Yoruba history, with his son Eweka ruling over the Bini monarchy. Jacob Egharevba's writings from the 1930s corroborate that Ekaladerhan, an Ogiso prince, was banished from Igodomigodo, lived, and died in Ughoton (now part of Edo State).

The relationship between Yoruba and Bini monarchies is underscored by historical events, such as Oba Eweka's request to be buried in Ile-Ife. The classification of Yoruba monarchs by the Ooni of Ife in 1937 emphasized the prominence of the Oduduwa dynasty.

The founders of Ugbo-Igodomigodo and Ugbo-Ilaje were Obagodo and Obawinrin (Olugbo), sons of Obatala and Oranfe, respectively, who migrated from Ile Ife to avoid Oduduwa's rule. Igodomigodo was initially ruled by Ogisos, but internal conflicts led some chiefs to seek a king from Ile Ife, resulting in Oranmiyan's involvement and the eventual establishment of the Bini monarchy

 

Dr. Akinlolu Fawehinmi writes from Lagos, Nigeria