The Story of Ekaladerhan: was Oduduwa Benin or Yoruba?
Hi guys!
This post is a very controversial one. I've been anxious about posting it because I know a lot of people would be unhappy about it. However, I believe we need to have these conversations about our history to try and know is the truth and what isn't.
While on my recent trip to Benin to explore Benin culture, on the top of my list was learning about the history of the Kingship. Benin is well-known to have an ancient empire and a very rich history. For decades, Yoruba and Benin people have debated whether, a Benin prince became the Ooni of Ife or if a Yoruba prince was given to the Benins to become their king.
While in Benin, I visited the National museum and asked for a special tour of some of the historical sites relating to the kingship. Unfortunately we were not able to asses most of these sites because they were not open to tourists. However, the interesting stories I was told in the car while going to these places, more than made up for it.
We started talking about the two major dynasties, the Benin kingdom has had, the Ogiso era and the oba era, that we still have today. According to Benin history, the last Ogiso to rule Igodomigodo (the former name of Benin) is alleged to be Oduduwa's father, who was called Owodo. Owodo inherited the throne from his elder brother and after his brother translated, he decided to also inherit his wives. The oldest of his brother's wives was not happy about this and decided to cause problems for Owodo. From then on, he could not have any more children. However with his first wife, he already had a son called Ekaladerhan.
According to the story, his brother's first wife which had now become his senior wife knowing she was the cause of the problems, framed his only child and heir, Ekaladerhan. She told Owodo, the Ogiso (king) that the diviner she visited said that his only son, Ekaladerhan had to be sacrificed for the problems in Benin to end. The king believed her and ordered some of his guards to take IEkaladerhan to the forest to be killed. So you may ask why do the Benins believe that this child became Oduduwa? You can hear more in the videos at the bottom of this post.
Now, I don't claim to know what is true and what is not. However, what I believe after hearing both the Yoruba and Benin versions of this story is that Oduduwa could not have been the first man in Yoruba land, let alone the world. In Yoruba land, we believe that Oduduwa was the first of the Orishas. However, the first man to live could not have come to earth in the 12th century. It simply makes no sense. Whether or not, Oduduwa was really Ekaladerhan, I believe that is something that will always be contested. Even if he wasn't the first man in Yoruba land, that does not still prove that he was really Ekaladerhan, a prince of Benin. However, I would love to hear you guys' opinion on this. Please leave your opinions in the comments.
Here is a shortened version of the story. However for people who love history and want to know more, there is a longer version below.
1920AD and 1930AD. He writes many years ago that Benin Cames all the way from (Egypt) to found a more secure shelter in this part of the World. After a short stay in the (Sudan) and at ( Ile Ife ) which the Benin People call "Uhe". In 600AD.
But, they met some people who were in the Land before their arrival. This peoples are said to have come Originally from (Nupe and Sudan) in waves (Egharavba 1956:1) and ( Egharavba 1960:1)
He said, the first wave of migration took place from present day Orus or IJO'S from Nupeland/Ile Ife Land in 700AD. And Migration Lead by the first son of Oduduwa "IJO"(Kumoni-Orus)
The second waves from via Sahara and…
Esan Origin is ( Ile Ife).
Research By:
P . A. ILIASU
Ex-Student
Academy Student Director of Federal Polytechnic Kaduna State.
The origin of Esan has been the subject of great controversy since the major tool for reconstruction of the early Esan history has been oral traditions in which various communities lay claim to one migration or the other. On a large scale, these numerous versions have been unanimously in the contention that the people came directly or indirectly from Benin. Sometimes the claim has been mainly on some observable similarities in language and customs of the Esan and Bini people.
Esan as a word has had other variants, for example, Isa, Esa and Ishan. The early European travellers, writers…
ORIGIN OF IJOS
The Ijaw Culture and People of Bayelsa from South-South Nigeria.
Ijaw (is known by the subgroups ”Ijo”or”Izon”) are a collection of indigenous peoples mostly to the forest regions of the -
Bayelsa,
Delta,
Rivers States.
Within the Niger Delta in Nigeria. Some are natives of Akwa-Ibom, Edo, and Ondo states also in Nigeria.
Many are found as migrant fishermen in camps as far west as Sierra Leone and as far east as Gabon along the Western Africa coastline.
They are believed to be some of the earliest inhabitants of southern Nigeria.
The Ijaws currently numbering about 15 million have long lived in locations near many sea trade routes, and were well connected to other areas by trad…
HOW AKALADERHAN ( IZUDUA ) NAMES MANIPULATED BY BENIN HISTORIAN AFTER 1970. THE BENIN CHILDREN SHOULD PROVE THEIR HISTORY AFTER LAST OJISO ( OWODO) 1030AD THAT PROVED THAT ODUDUWA IS AKALADERHAN a Coward "PRINCE IZUDUA???
1. I challenge you or anybody else to find a single account that predates the 1960s and 1970s where it was said that Ekaladerhan went to Ile-Ife or even had anything to do with Ile-Ife.
The original story of Ekaladerhan was that, he was the son of the last Ogiso Owodo; due to some unfortunate events, he had to flee from Benin; he went south and established himself at Ughoton.
Years later, back home in Benin, it was found that Ekaladerhan's exile had been …
Around 1050AD Century. Oba Oranmiyàn fought and Conquered the entire (Igodomigodo) . And, started collecting ( Ties) Isakole from the last Owodo(Ogiso). Before he finally banished Owodo to Ughoton in 1050AD. And handover (Ife) throne to his Son Lajamesan. And he become (King) in Igodomigodo. And, Oranmiyàn change Igodomigodo to ( Ile-Binu ). And, handover the throne to his Son ( Eweka I) in 1200AD Century.