They told us bout their legends: Alexander the Great, Eric the Red, King Arthur, Genghis Khan…Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire. We must tell them about our greatness too.

Some amazing facts & legends about Benin from the last 2,054 years. #thread @asemota
@ose_anenih
@victorsozaboy

Benin is beleived as the cradle of Black civilization & centre of the world (Edorisiagbon). The progenitor of the Binis is known by the earliest oral documentary as “Idu”. The word "Benin" was corrupted from "Ubini - a place of heavenly pageantry and prosperity” by the Portuguese

Ten gates/ roads historically led into Benin City: Akpakpava (Ikpoba) Road, Irhuase (Ogba) Road, Imose (Sapele) Road, Okhoro Road, Ughoton Road, Udo Road, Ugbor Road, Uhunmwun Idunmwun Road, Uselu (Oyesunu) Road and Utantan (Esokponba) Road.

Benin kingdom is one of oldest surviving kingdoms in the world. Ogiso dynasty lasted for about 854 yrs plus an interregnum of 285 yrs btw the reign of Ogiso Orire & Odia, there was an interregnum of 70 yrs btw Ogiso Owodo & Oba Oranmiyan plus 847 yrs of Oba rulership till date.

Great Benin kingdom has been ruled by 72 kings (documented) and 21 kings (undocumented) and two documented administrators (Evian and Agho Obaseki) and about 12 undocumented administrators. Oba Ewuare I changed Benin into a city states from a military fortress built by Ogiso.

Oba Orhogbua introduced the common salt from his numerous voyage to Benin Cuisine in replacing the traditional organic salt (Obu). He was the 1st Sailor & literate king ever recorded in West-Africa. He defeated Lagos from the sea & planted a dukedom, the Obaship of Lagos (Eko).

They were 5 fighting Empire building Obas of Benin, Oba Ewuare I, Oba Ozolua, Oba Esigie, Oba Orhogbua and Oba Ehengbuda N’Obo. Oba Ehengbuda was the last Oba of Benin to lead the Benin armies physically in battle. Ogiso Odoligie & Oba Esigie were regarded as the redeemer kings.

Ogiso Orriagba created the college of the hereditary Uzama Chiefs. 2 kings were installed without a crown, Ogiso Igodo (40BC-16AD) & Oba Oranmiyan (Odolorre) 1170 -1200AD. They are 3 usurpers to the throne, Oba Uwaifiokun (1430-1440), Oba Ozuere (1712-1713) & Oba Ogbebo (1816).

The oldest crown prince (prince Osifo) to become an Oba of great Benin was later crowned as Oba Obanosa. Oba Akengbuda relocated from the palace to Ogbe N’Alaka to pave way for his son, crown prince Osifo (Oba Obanosa) to become an Oba i.e two Oba’s in one kingdom (Benin).

The Oba with the shortest reign in Great Benin kingdom was Oba Ezoti (14 days) 1473-1473AD while the Oba with the longest reign in Great Benin Kingdom was Oba Akengbuda (54 years) 1750 -1804AD. Oba Ahenkpaye was dethroned cos of his selfishness & ruthlessness by chiefs of Benin

Oba Akengboi's hair was a dreadlocks which till this day is called Agbihiagha. Oba Esigie created the school of astrology (Iwoki) and was the first man to speak a foreign language, (Portuguese) in Nigeria in the year 1518AD.

Queen Idia (Oba Esigie mother) is the 1st Oba’s mother to be alive to see her son become Oba. That’s cos traditionally previous Crown prince mothers were killed before their Sons ascend the throne. She became the 1st Iyoba (Queen Mother), a senior chief with her own palace & army

Oba Ewuare I conquered over 201 towns during his reign which earned him the title Ewuare Ogidigan (Ewuare the great). Since Oba Ewedo relocated the palace from Usama to Ogbe only 4 Obas were not buried at Ogbe. Hence “Aiguoba vbie Ogbe” (no one sleep at ogbe except the oba).

Oba Ahenzae is the youngest to be crowned. Btw him & Oba Ewuakpe the Obaship was rotated amongst different branches of the royal family for 6 reigns. Oba Akenzua I is the richest king that ever ruled Benin. His nicknamed is Akenzua N’Isonorho (Akenzua, the money raining sky).

Oba Ewuakpe enforced the primogeniture Law in Benin Empire, called the Atoro oath.

N.B: primogeniture had started during Ogiso Orriagba but was not consistent The 39 Obas in second dynasty all ruled averagely in 22 years (excluding the present Monarch)

Prince Akennuzama rejected to be crowned as Oba of Benin instead asked the elders to crown his son Idova in his place because of his old age. Prince Idova was crowned as Oba Ewuakpe. The first Edaiken of Uselu is Crown prince Kuobuyuwa, son of Oba Ewuare I.

No Queen has ever ruled Benin kingdom across the two dynasties, the purported female Ogiso Emose (584-600AD) and Orrorro (600-618AD) were male kings on coronation, took over their mother’s name. Oba Esigie created the title of Iyoba nu’Uselu (Queen Mother of Uselu).

Oba Esigie is the first King in Africa to be baptized in the year 1504AD in Benin.

Oba Ozolua N’Ibaromi was the father of Alani of Idoani, Olowo of Owo, Uguan of Ora and Eze of Aboh.

The 1st palace in Benin Kingdom was located at Ugbekun quarters built by Ogiso Igodo in about 40-42BC. The last Ogiso palace was located in the present day Ring-Road where the National museum is sited and it was called “Ogbe Ogiso”.

The present palace has been burnt down three times by Prince Ogun who later became Oba Ewuare I, Oba Ogbebo and lastly the British military fiasco.

The First Storey Building in Nigeria was built at Ughoton (the base of Europeans) by the Dutch in the year 1718, and it was called “The Factory”. The said building was destroyed by the British during the war against the Benins in 1897. The site of the building is still intact.

The Oldest Church in West-Africa was established in Great Benin Empire by the Earliest Portuguese missionaries in the 16th Century which is today known as the Holy Aruosa (Benin National Church). Pope Pius XII handed the church to the Oba of Benin, Oba Oreoghene in 1692AD.

Oldest ever recorded market in Africa is Ogiso (Agbado) Market dated 60BCE.

The first ever recorded bank (Owigho) in present day West-Africa was built in Benin kingdom by Oba Eresoyen, construction started in the year 1740AD and was completed in the year 1743AD.

The first Known Embassy Established in Nigeria was in Benin by Portugal during the reign of Oba Esigie in the 16th century. Alfonzo D. Aveiro was the first ambassador from Europe to Benin and first in Nigeria.

Ohen Okun, Olokun priest of Ughoton is the first known Diplomat of Nigeria origin to Europe, who was sent as a Benin ambassador by Oba Esigie in the year 1526AD, hence the first man to be exposed to western education.

The oldest known letter written in Nigeria was by Duarte Pires instructed by Oba Esigie which was addressed to King John II, on the 20th October, 1516AD. The 2nd oldest letter from Nigeria was written by Anthonio Domingo (Great-grand Son of Oba Olua).

Anthonio Domingo (Olu Atuwatse) wrote to the Pope to seek for missionary assistance in other to spread Christianity in Benin Empire in 1652AD. Actually the Oba need guns from the portuguese. Dom Domingo was the son of Crown Prince Ginuwa and grand Son of Oba Olua reigning Oba.

Olu Atuwatse (Dom Domingo) Son of Crown Prince Ginuwa and grand Son of Oba Olua was sent to Portugal in 1601 for advanced studies by his Grandfather, the reigning Oba. He graduated from the University of Coimbra in 1611.

He is the first person to obtain a European university degree in present day Nigeria. He later married the daughter of a Portuguese noble, Dona Feirs. Their son Antonio Domingo referred to in Benin History as the Golden Skinned king, succeeded him to the throne in 1643.

Elaba is the only Chieftaincy title in Benin Kingdom in whose presence the Oba’s Sword bearer (Omada) would ceremonially hold the Oba’s symbol of Authority(Ada) upside down.

Ezomo is the last amongst the Uzama N’ihinron that was made hereditary by Oba Akenzua I.

The word Okoro means prince in Benin and Uvbi as princess.

Iyase, Esogban, Eson and Osuma are referred to as the four Cardinal chiefs (Eghaevbo N’ore).

Isi Aghadahomen, corrupted as Dahommey was a name of Esan General who led Benin warriors to conquer present day republic of Benin. The country was named in 1975 after Benin Kingdom. The name “the Bight of Benin” gained its name from Benin empire.

The Osemawe of Ondo was corrupted from Osemwughe, the Benin warrior who deserted Udo town, when there was war between Benin City and Udo town.

The word Ondo was corrupted from the town “Emwan N’Udo” (people of Udo town).

The Benin were the first to use sophisticated weapons (guns) to fight war (Idah war) in the present day Nigeria in about 501 years ago (August, 1516), the war was led by Oba Esigiemother (Queen Idia).

All Oba’s in Lagos were buried in Benin City until late 19th century, to further lay credence to that Oba Osemwende in 1834 instructed Idewu Ojulari, the Oba of Lagos to zegbele (kill himself) the instruction was, expectedly, complied with. The Lagos Oba complied by taking poison

Source: Institute for Benin Studies

Contributors: Mr. Aiko Obobaifo, Osazee Amas-Edobor, Nathaniel Akenuwa and Oghoyemwen Joan. E.

#thread of how Pince Oyeomasan aka Anthonio Dom Domingos (a descendent of Oba Olua of Benin) & later Olu Atuwatse I of Warri studied Latin & theology in the University of Coimbra, Portugal in 1611. This making him the 1st Nigerian to school in Europe. @ose_anenih @victorsozaboy

Olu Atuwatse I was the 7th King of Warri who reigned from 1625-43. He was of the dynasty of Prince Ogiame Ginuwa, the 1st son of Oba Olua & heir apparent to the Benin throne who left Benin on the instruction of his father to start the Warri monarchy & become the 1st Olu of Warri.

On 16th Sept 1602, Pince Oyeomasan received a scholarship from King Philip of 200,000 Portuguese Reals annually to study at the University of Coimbra in Portugal to become a catholic priest. In Coimbra, he was received at the College of the Order of Saõ Jeronimo, to study Latin.

Prince Oyeomasan was initially not well-received by the authorities in the schools & his stipends were not paid as instructed by the King of which he complained about to the king. King Phillip quickly that instructed that the Prince must be paid all his stipends & all outstanding

The king further instructed that Oyeomasan must be given the full privileges of a prince and an accommodation befitting his state. The prince was assigned 2 servants and a cleric to assist him with his studies. King Phillip protected Prince Oyeomasan at all times.

After the first 2 years in Coimbra at the College of the Order of Saõ Jeronimo, on July 17, 1604, the prince was transferred to Colégio de Santo Agostinho in Lisbon to continue his Latin studies & on 12 Jan 1605, King Phillip increased his stipends to 320,000 Real annually.

On 18 Mar 1606, Prince Oyeomasan was transferred to the Jesuit school, Colégio de Santo Antão in this city of Lisbon. On 10 March.1608, after 2 yrs of studying with the Jesuits, the prince wrote to King Phillip that he received a letter from his father to come back home to Warri.

Seeing that the prince had learned enough as an African at the time, King Philip approved his request to go back to Africa. Prince Oyeomasan was given a complete set of steel armor, a visor, an axe & a sword. He was also made a member of the Order of Christ (the Templer).