The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on 10 February 2016 said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba people, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms.


Yoruba Kingdoms - Benin and Ife
In 1975 the Republic of Dahomey changed its name to the Republic of Benin, after the Bight of Benin ["Where few come out but many go in”], which in turn was named after the Benin Empire, a powerful entity that existed from 1440 to 1897 in what is today Nigeria. "Benin" is a Portuguese corruption of "Ubinu," the administrative center of the Empire, which is today called Benin City, capital of Edo State. Dahomey's rechristening in 1975 caused no end of confusion ever since, so to clarify things: Benin City (the historical Benin Empire) is approximately 250 miles east of Porto Novo, capital of the present-day Republic of Benin. The two entities have no historical connection whatsoever.

The Yoruba kingdoms of Benin and Ife sprang up between the 11th and 12th centuries. The present-day Benin monarch declared his ancestry from Oranmiyan through Ekaladerhan and direct to the Ogiso dynasty. The statement made by the Ooni of Ife debunked the Oba of Benin's declaration of the ancestry of Benin Kings, insisting that Benin was one of the kingdoms founded by Oduduwa who descended from heaven to Ile-Ife with four hundred deities.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on 10 February 2016 said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba people, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms. The monarch made the comment in reaction to a statement credited to the palace of the Oba of Benin challenging the claim by the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, that the Ooni of Ife remained the pre-eminent spiritual leader in Yorubaland and environs. Oba Gbadebo said Oba Ogunwusi was number one of the five principal Obas in Yorubaland, followed by the Alaafin of Oyo, then by the Oba of Benin (in third position), the Alake of Egbaland (fourth) and the Awujale of Ijebuland (fifth). But in a swift reaction, the Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom, David Edebiri, rejected the ranking, saying the Ooni of Ife was a son of the Oba of Benin and that the Oba of Benin stool had no relationship with the Yoruba people.

As far as historical memory extends, the Yoruba have been the dominant group on the west bank of the Niger. Of mixed origin, they were the product of the assimilation of periodic waves of migrants who evolved a common language and culture. The Yoruba were organized in patrilineal descent groups that occupied village communities and subsisted on agriculture, but from about the eleventh century A.D., adjacent village compounds, called He, began to coalesce into a number of territorial city-states in which loyalties to the clan became subordinate to allegiance to a dynastic chieftain. This transition produced an urbanized political and social environment that was accompanied by a high level of artistic achievement, particularly in terra-cotta and ivory sculpture and in the sophisticated metal casting produced at Ife. The brass and bronze used by Yoruba artisans was a significant item of trade, made from copper, tin, and zinc imported either from North Africa or from mines in the Sahara and northern Nigeria.

The Yoruba placated a pantheon headed by an impersonal deity, Olorun, and included lesser deities, some of them formerly mortal, who performed a variety of cosmic and practical tasks. One of them, Oduduwa, was regarded as the creator of the earth and the ancestor of the Yoruba kings. According to a creation myth, Oduduwa founded the city of Ife and dispatched his sons to establish other cities, where they reigned as priest-kings and presided over cult rituals. Formal traditions of this sort have been interpreted as poetic illustrations of the historical process by which Ife's ruling dynasty extended its authority over Yorubaland. The stories were attempts to legitimize the Yoruba monarchies—after they had supplanted clan loyalties—by claiming divine origin.

Ife was the center of as many as 400 religious cults whose traditions were manipulated to political advantage by the oni (king) in the days of the kingdom's greatness. Ife also lay at the center of a trading network with the north. The oni supported his court with tolls levied on trade, tribute exacted from dependencies, and tithes due him as a religious leader. One of Ife's greatest legacies to modern Nigeria is its beautiful sculpture associated with this tradition.

The oni was chosen on a rotating basis from one of several branches of the ruling dynasty, which was composed of a clan with several thousand members. Once elected, he went into seclusion in the palace compound and was not seen again by his people. Below the oni in the state hierarchy were palace officials, town chiefs, and the rulers of outlying dependencies. The palace officials were spokesmen for the oni and the rulers of dependencies who had their own subordinate officials. All offices, even that of the oni, were elective and depended on broad support within the community. Each official was chosen from among the eligible clan members who had hereditary right to the office. Members of the royal dynasty often were assigned to govern dependencies, while the sons of palace officials assumed lesser roles as functionaries, bodyguards to the oni, and judges.

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/yoruba.htm

Land grabbers!

How can some people come from Dahomey and be claiming a civilization that is over 1000 years on record before they dropped from the sky?

I didn't mention names ooo

Well said by Ikeji Orisa

[s]

CoronaVirusPro:
Well said by Ikeji Orisa

[/s]

I am willing to learn. Who knew Bini before Oba, Terracotta or Iwo Eleru?

Please educate us.

SLAP44:
Land grabbers!

How can some people come from Dahomey and be claiming a civilization that is over 1000 years on record before they dropped from the sky?

I didn't mention names ooo

Old news... Next!!

As long as I am concerned Bini Kingdom begat Yoruba nation

Yoruba are confused with the people of Benin

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on 10 February 2016 said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba people, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms.

This is a strong statement..and the statement was made with an air of authority.

Cc

Samuk
Areafada2.

MelesZenawi:
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on 10 February 2016 said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba people, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms.

This is a strong statement..and the statement was made with an air of authority.

Cc

Samuk
Areafada2.

Air of authority by someone randomly chosen, not a direct son of an Oba. His father is even still alive. I doubt him propriating the ancestors when his own dad is still alive.

Simply put, until Elegushi and other monies oiled his way to the throne, he would hardly have had any knowledge of history. He is now trying to make up for that gap with braggadocio of widely off the mark remarks.

When a King who grew up learning his ropes to become a king over many decades speaks, let me know.

Look, one of the most dangerous things about Nigeria is the confidence with which the people propagate ignorance. I hear Nigerians talk about areas I have spent years researching (unknown to them) and quite staggering how what they say is imminent danger to life if practiced.

So, ignorant air of authority is one common thing in Nigeria. Not far from agbero culture. And we're collectively getting nowhere with it.

One prefers to be quiet ordinarily but you guys keep looking for trouble and make one talk.

AreaFada2:

Air of authority by someone randomly chosen, not direct son of an Oba. His father is even alive. I doubt him propriating the ancestors when his own dad is still alive.

Simply put, until Elegushi and other monies oiled his way to the throne, he would hardly have had any knowledge of history. Trying to make up for that gap with braggadocio of widely off the mark remarks.

When King who grew up learning his ropes to become a king over manyndecade speaks, let me know.

Look, one of the most dangerous things about Nigeria is the confidence with which the propagate ignorance. I hear Nigerians talk about areas I have spent years researching (unknown to them) and quite staggering how what they say is imminent danger to life if practiced.

So, ignorant air of authority is one common thing in Nigeria. Not far from agbero culture. And we're collectively getting nowhere with it.

One prefers to be quite ordinarily but you guys keep looking for trouble and make one talk.

I tire for you people. After reading person no go know what to believe again..papers upon conflicting papers.

I have read where I think past Ooni or so referred to oba of Benin as son which oba refuted that father can't be son... and now this one was a saying same sort of thing.

See there is one end to this and not that I am disputing but just than Bini and Yorubas are kind of strongly related. Every argument always point to one ancestry all the time..

MelesZenawi:



I tire for you people. After reading person no go know what to believe again..papers upon conflicting papers.

I have read where I think past Ooni or so referred to oba of Benin as son which oba refuted that father can't be son... and now this one was a saying same sort of thing.

See there is one end to this and not that I am disputing but just than Bini and Yorubas are kind of strongly related. Every argument always point to one ancestry all the time..

I believe in what science and research can teach us. Not wild speculation. For example Mecca and Vatican city are deserted. They are all waiting for science to find solution. All those miracle workers have gone quiet. I use this illustrate that science eventually trumps.
Therefore, anthropology and philology are areas that have been used to shed more light on how peoples of Africa relate. Recently genetics has been added.

None of these studies show any close tie between Benin and Yoruba. Both relate in same way as they relate to Igbo. All are Kwa Niger-Congo people. Diverging from the ancestral root long ago.

Benin and related Edoid people like Degema in Rivers, Urhobo, Isoko, Ekpeye, Epie in Bayelsa and so on are well known. Yoruboid group like Yoruba, Okun, Igbira and so on are known.

Same applies worldwide. Finnish people are related to Hungarians, not nearby Swedes or Norwegians.

But people prefer to wallow in ignorance sadly.

MelesZenawi:
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on 10 February 2016 said Benin Kingdom in Edo State remained part of the expansive Yoruba people, a pronouncement that may spark fresh rivalry and altercation between people of the two ancient kingdoms.

This is a strong statement..and the statement was made with an air of authority.

Cc

Samuk
Areafada2.

These are political statements that no Ooni or any Yoruba Oba would have dear made before 1897.

In fact there were no such thing as a cohesive, homogeneous Yoruba race that shared Oduduwa common ancestry like they are now propagating before 1900.

The Yoruba had no way of dating the Oduduwa era, they rely on the Benin dating system.

Benin dating of historical events, apart from relying on Ora and arts was greatly enhanced by early European visitors who kept written/documented eye witness accounts since the 1400s.

Must historical events and the reigns of most Obas of Benin since the 1400s can be dated with some degree of accuracy because written accounts were kept by Europeans, some of who were resident in Benin city for up to two years at a time during these periods.

So I don't know how the young star Ooni became an authority on Benin history. I doubt if he is even an authority on Yoruba history considering the fact that Yoruba history is a conglomeration of the histories of once different tribes and villages/towns, Eko, Ijebu, Ife, Owo, Akure, Oyo, etc.

The Yorubas should first sort out their confusions about their stories of Oduduwa either descended from heaven with chains or from Mecca before attempting to dabble into the well established history of Benin.

Old topic,mumu ooni and useless people hiding behind monikers

samuk:


These are political statements that no Ooni or any Yoruba Oba would have dear made before 1897.

In fact there were no such thing as a cohesive, homogeneous Yoruba race that shared Oduduwa common ancestry like they are now propagating before 1900.

The Yoruba had no way of dating the Oduduwa era, they rely on the Benin dating system.

Benin dating of historical events, apart from relying on Ora and arts was greatly enhanced by early European visitors who kept written/documented eye witness accounts since the 1400s.

Must historical events and the reigns of most Obas of Benin since the 1400s can be dated with some degree of accuracy because written accounts were kept by Europeans, some of who were resident in Benin city for up to two years at a time during these periods.

So I don't know how the young star Ooni became an authority on Benin history. I doubt if he is even an authority on Yoruba history considering the fact that Yoruba history is a conglomeration of the histories of once different tribes and villages/towns, Eko, Ijebu, Ife, Owo, Akure, Oyo, etc.

The Yorubas should first sort out their confusions about their stories of Oduduwa either descended from heaven with chains or from Mecca before attempting to dabble into the well established history of Benin.

Eko is 100% Edo my freind, and I think Owo also used to be part of Benin empire. Don't gift these liars our lands my friend.

ghostwon:
Eko is 100% Edo my freind, and I think Owo also used to be part of Benin empire. Don't gift these liars our lands my friend.

Lagos as at today belongs to Yorubas.

No need arguing that with any old history at all.

The Benin Empire was content to collect tribute from its vassals. It wasn't interested in total subjugation otherwise Yorubas would be speaking Edo Language today.

Dyonne:
The Benin Empire was content to collect tribute from its vassals. It wasn't interested in total subjugation otherwise Yorubas would be speaking Edo Language today.

Was there really any difference between Edo and Yorubas?

I have closely studied these two people and can confirm they are same and relates closely with each other.

MelesZenawi:


Was there really any difference between Edo and Yorubas?

I have closely studied these two people and can confirm they are same and relates closely with each other.

There is a relationship it's just that there's disagreement on what that relationship is.
History is very clear though and the Benin Empire extended even beyond Yoruba land into Dahomey.

This is very well documented. If the Benins had used the same model as the British Empire, we wouldn't be having this discussion as Yorubas would be speaking Benin language today.

Dyonne:


There is a relationship it's just that there's disagreement on what that relationship is.
History is very clear though and the Benin Empire extended even beyond Yoruba land into Dahomey.

This is very well documented. If the Benins had used the same model as the British Empire, we wouldn't be having this discussion as Yorubas would be speaking Benin language today.

I am to note that you said there is a relationship while some will deny that. Over the years the bone of contention Is all about history and the rest but that doesn't change the similarities that strikingly between. You can even mistakenly call a Benin man , Yoruba man .

While history is been sorted out the bloodline still holds.

MelesZenawi:


I am to note that you said there is a relationship while some will deny that. Over the years the bone of contention Is all about history and the rest but that doesn't change the similarities that strikingly between. You can even mistakenly call a Benin man , Yoruba man .

While history is been sorted out the bloodline still holds.

There is even some cultural overlap.

Dyonne:

There is even some cultural overlap.

I am well of that but few always deny that.

MelesZenawi:


I am to note that you said there is a relationship while some will deny that. Over the years the bone of contention Is all about history and the rest but that doesn't change the similarities that strikingly between. You can even mistakenly call a Benin man , Yoruba man .

While history is been sorted out the bloodline still holds.

Benins were never taken as slaves but rest of southern Nigerians were.

Benins were never conquered by other Nigerians tribes but the rest of Nigerians were.

Benin has a well documented history with accuracy and facts but rest of southern Nigerians are full of lies and fables.

Benins aren't yoruba you igbo Man, stop trying to downgrade us and join us into another ethnic group.

Astark:


Benins were never taken as slaves but rest of southern Nigerians were.

Benins were never conquered by other Nigerians tribes but the rest of Nigerians were.

Benin has a well documented history with accuracy and facts but rest of southern Nigerians are full of lies and fables.

Benins aren't yoruba you igbo Man, stop trying to downgrade us and join us into another ethnic group.

I didn't say they are Yorubas. I only said they are same people irrespective of the names they chose. Blood they say is thicker than water.

MelesZenawi:



I didn't say they are Yorubas. I only said they are same people irrespective of the names they chose. Blood they say is thicker than water.

and the fulanis are Igbo too

Astark:
and the fulanis are Igbo too

The geography doesn't in any correlate your claim and history has never in any laid credence to such.

But Benin/Yoruba is highly undebatable..and historical facts conflicting with no end. So it is safe to say they are one people with different names. Same origin.

MelesZenawi:


The geography doesn't in any correlate your claim and history has never in any laid credence to such.

But Benin/Yoruba is highly undebatable..and historical facts conflicting with no end. So it is safe to say they are one people with different names. Same origin.

what geography? Igbos and fulani are the same.

Astark:
what geography? Igbos and fulani are the same.

Alright we have heard you but that doesn't change yoruba/Bini joint history..no matter how long it is argued...both has same common history ...even opc is seen beyond west into Edo and Itshekiri.

MelesZenawi:


Alright we have heard you but that doesn't change yoruba/Bini joint history..no matter how long it is argued...both has same common history ...even opc is seen beyond west into Edo and Itshekiri.

yeah just like fulani and igbos are the same

Astark:
yeah just like fulani and igbos are the same

Even Edo has more hausa fulani Indigenes.

Try to accept the blunt side of history.

Moreover it is secure putting it this way ( Oduduwa republic Including Edo, Urhobo , Itshekiri) to avoid conflict on Igbo biafra republic)..

Learn to reason like human.

MelesZenawi:


Even Edo has more hausa fulani Indigenes.

Try to accept the blunt side of history.

Moreover it is secure putting it this way ( Oduduwa republic Including Edo, Urhobo , Itshekiri) to avoid conflict on Igbo biafra republic)..

Learn to reason like human.

same way igbos are fulani and Bantu people in Cameron

Astark:
same way igbos are fulani and Bantu people in Cameron

Cameroon belongs to Cameroon...

Learn to accept facts somehow.