The history of bini

 After their migration from Egypt, the ancestors of the current Edo Empire settled in South-Eastern, West Africa and established the Benin Kingdom. Benin City, the origin of all Edo people is surrounded by its historical moat as a defensive barrier. The outer wall, with an estimated radius of 28 miles was built by Oba Oguola to keep his formidable enemy, Akpanigiakon, outside the empire. The second inner wall was dug by Oba Ewuare the Great to prevent the people from fleeing the kingdom as a result of his inhumane laws, much of which he later repealed. The resultant depopulation would lead to weaknesses in various areas.

The Edo's were very proficient bronze casters and great warriors. Royalty in the Edo kingdom was unique and sacred from the early days. The Ogiso dynasty was the first of two dynasties and produced about 31 Ogiso's between 900 and 1200 AD. The original name of the kingdom was Igodomigodo, named after its king Igodo who was the first Ogiso. The word 'Ogiso' means king of the sky, and came about as a result of the King’s greatness.

During the last Ogiso’s reign the Benin kingdom underwent a traumatic event which almost brought about its collapse. History states that the last Ogiso, Owodo, was unable to bear children. However, one of his wives whom he had married while he was a prince had an only son named Ikaladeran. After many years the other wives worried about their inability to bear any children. Therefore, they consulted an oracle and were told that the king’s only son, Ikaladeran, was responsible for their infertility and had to be sacrificed to the god of fertility. Pressure built on the Ogiso from his wives, he yielded and ordered his guards to sacrifice Ikaladeran outside the capital city. However, the guards set him free and encouraged him to flee, accompanying him on his journey. After much wandering, they finally settled in Ile-Ife, meaning 'I escape to safety'. Ile-Ife became the birthplace of the Yoruba kingdom and Prince Ikaladeran assumed the name Oduduwa, meaning 'I have found the road to prosperity'.

The Ogiso’s wives remained childless, and upon his death there was no heir to the throne. A search was mounted to locate Ikaladeran after it came to light that he had escaped being sacrificed. Now the Oduduwa of Ile-Ife, Ikaladeran, declined an invitation to assume the throne in Benin City, citing the complicity of the elders in the decision to have him sacrificed. For fearing for his life,  Ikaladeran later made a decision to send his son Oranyminyan to assume the throne in Benin in his place. Oranyminyan did not like Benin City and subsequently returned to Ile-Ife. He later went on to find the Oyo Empire and became the first Alafin of Oyo. On his departure from Benin City, Oranyminyan left his son, Eweka, who founded the second dynasty and became the first Oba; the current Oba Ewuare, the second is the 40th King of the second dynasty of Benin Kings.

This short history of the Benin Kingdom is presented here courtesy of Dr. Kienuwa Obaseki of Detroit, Michigan