Ancient and historical towns or villages

Amagba village had been in existence since the time of the Ogiso dynasty. This part of the ancient Amagba village became known as Amagba-Adọlọ, when Ọba Ovonramwẹ appoint his most junior brother as an Enogie to head it. The Enogie, Prince Erese Adọlọ was a descendant of Ọba Adọlọ, 1848-1888 AD (Eweka, 1992, p.86 ; Aisien, 1991, pp.95-96 ).

Amagba village had been an autochthonous village since the Ogiso period until it was conquered by Benin warrior kings. The first Enogie to head Amagba village was probably appointed by Ọba Akẹngbuda (1750-1804). This section of Amagba village thus became known as Amagba-Akẹngbuda due to its connection to his reign or descendants (Eweka, 1992, p.86 ).

This village now known as Idunmwun Aragua is one of the ancient villages of Benin kingdom within the Benin city metropolis. This quarter is occupied by the guild of Aragua headed by Chief Aragua (Eweka, 1992, pp. 64&216 ).

The first Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Iyase Odigie was from Ebuya

The head of Etete village is an Enogie and Priest of Oto Deity. Etete village which is along Sapele Road (Eweka, 1992, p.87 ).

Evbuo-Elema is headed by the Elema of Benin Kingdom. The Elema is a member of the Uzama n'ibie titles affiliated to the Uzama. His title is said to have been created by Ọba Ẹwuare (1440-1473 AD). Evbuo Elema is part of the present day extension of the Government Residential Area (GRA) (Eweka, 1992, p.86 )

This is the quarter of the members of the royal family. The Ihogbe is also a guild of the Iweguae Palace Society and their quarter is called Ihogbe. The children of past Obas of Benin live here. This quarter is presently situated between Oreoghene Road and Wire Road in Benin City (Eweka, 1992, p.72 ).

Ogboka village lies at the centre of Benin City metropolis. This quarter house a number of guilds, like the Owina, Igun, etc. Ogboka is the entire expanse of plain land lying between Ikpoba River and Ogba River. It was transversed by the crystal waters of now extinct Isekhere River. This plain is the Centre of Iduland from where the major events in the history of Benin Kingdom took place. It was at the middle of Ogboka that the decisive battle of Ekiokpagha was fought between Ọba Ewedo and Ogiamien anti-royalist forces in c.1255AD. Ekiokpagha (the Okpagha Tree Market) which was the principal landmark of this quarter lasted for over a thousand years until the 1940's (Aisien, 2015a, p.129 ).

Uzebu is one of the Uzama villages, which is today a part of conurban Benin along the Ekewan road. The village is headed by the Ezomo of Benin kingdom, a member of the Uzama n'ihinron. The Ezomo administer the village with the assistance of the following chiefs (enobled or tilted citizens): Eson, Esama, Obakiunmwen Ezabayo Oluda (Oludo) Ezomozelu, Ezomoghene and Ogunsoyen. Uzebu was founded by Ọba Orhogbua as a war camp during his military campaigns to the lagoons. Ezomo Ekenika was the military commander of Ọba Orhogbua's maritime army, as such the Ezomo altar is decorated till this date with two canoe paddles and a man in the boat carving.. The ancestors of the people of Ewohimi hailed from Uzebu hence they share the common family greeting of Lagiesan. Uzebu is situated at the western gateway to Benin City (Aisien, 2015b, pp.160-182 ; Eweka, 1992, pp.154&171 ; Aisien, 1991, pp.33-96 ; Egharevba, 1971, pp.26-27 ).

Aho is one of the ancient villages of Benin Kingdom. During the interregnum that followed the reign of Ogiso Orrire, the Enogie of Ahọ sacked Idokpa and Eyean and annexed them to Ahọ village in a bid to consolidate the villages in that area and build a kingdom of his own. Hence, Ahọ was one of the potentates that rivalled Benin during the Ogiso dynasty (Omoregie, 1997c ; Eweka, 1992, p.138 ).

Amufi village is a settlement for the members of the Amufi guild. They are acrobats and also responsible for catching special birds, like Eagles for the Ọba of Benin. The Amufi guild are members of the Iweguae palace society, who carry out acrobatic rituals and hunting. The guild was formed by Ọba Ewuare I to capture the Fish Eagles, which were very useful for certain rituals in the Ọba's palace. It was the responsibility of the Amufi guild to close the Isiokuo festival (that commemorates Ogun deity) by performing the special tree-top acrobatic rituals as a mark of the spiritual and mystical powers employed in the destruction of the monster Osogan. The acrobatic display was performed on okpagha trees along the moat behind the present-day High Court, Benin City.

The Okao is appointed by the Ọba to head the guild. The members of the guild live in a town called Amufi from where they come to Benin city to perform their duty for the Ọba of Benin (Eweka, 1992, p.76 ).

Ayẹn is renown as the hometown of Ọbo n'Ayẹn, who defeated Ẹbomisi n'ohin ugo by pegging his Osogan (osun staff) on the ground at Ẹbomisi's court in Ugoneki. The Ohen Ezala of Ayẹn is the head of this town. Ezala was one of the Omuada to Oba Ozolua. The Omuada was asked to train Ohengie, a son of Oba Ozolua, but Ezala made Ohengie the Ohen Ezala to take charge of Ayen (Eweka, 1992, pp.138-139 ).

This is the village where Prince Aiguobasimwin was brought up by his mother, Oloi Eghaghe. She has relocated to Ekhoe to live with her sister who was the wife of the Enogie of Ekhoe due to the circumstance surrounding the birth of Aiguobasimwin.

Erua (Errua) village had been in existence since the time of the Ogiso dynasty, it was named Erua by Ekaladerhan, during his days of wandering in the forest. It was from Erua that Ekaladerhan enquired about the route which led him to Uhe. Oloi Aghahowa, the mother of Ọba Erediauwa hails from Erua town (Igbe, 2019, p.44 ; Ebohon, 2019, pp.168-174 ; Eweka, 1992, p.135 ).

This is the headquarter of Ọkhuaihẹ deity. It is headed by the priest of Ọkhuaihẹ, who is the overlord of the surrounding villages, where the Ọkhuaihẹ deity is venerated. The head of Ọkhuaihẹ clan is the Ohen n’ Ukoni of Evbiekoi. The Ohen N'Ukoni is forbidden from visiting Benin after performing his roles in the ritual ceremony during the coronation of the Ọba (Eweka, 1992, pp.141-144 ; Egharevba, 1968, p.15 ).

This is one of the ancient villages in Benin Kingdom. The first Enogie of Eyaen is said to have been one of the sons of Ọba Ọzọlua. The Enogie was installed in c.1485. Eyaen has a market which was a major supplier to Benin city and environs. A gigantic Iroko tree at the centre of the market was another significant historical landmark in Benin kingdom. The market made Eyaen a great trading centre for long distance traders.

Ilobi is the seat of Ake deity. Ake is one of the mystics of Benin kingdom, which has been deified as Ihen. The town is according to its name the makers of poison (obi) used for archery by warriors (Aisien, 2012, pp.59-63 ).

Avbiama is close to Ihinmwinrin as a sector of the Ikpoba river valley. According to tradition, when Ogiso Owodo was dethroned and banished from Benin, he settled at Ihinmwinrin/Avbiama area. After the demise of Ọba Ewedo, Oguola became the Ọba because his older brother Obuobo was nowhere to be found. Obuobo returned to Benin three years after the coronation of Ọba Oguola, and he was made the Enogie of Avbiama. He was the first Enogie of Avbiama and the previous titled chiefs under the Ogisos, before his arrival there , became his own chiefs (Igbe, 2019, p.90 ; Egharevba, 1968, p.11 ).

Ogidogbo was the oldest son of Ọba Ozolua. According to oral tradition, one day there was dispute among the first three sons of Ozolua, Ogidogbo, Osawe and Arhuanran each claiming to be the strongest. It was therefore suggested that they should pole-pump over the pond Agbodo. Two of them did this successfully, but the eldest, Ogidogbo, fell and fractured his legs which made him a cripple for life. This made him unsuitable for the throne, but he was made Ogie-Idogbo (Chief of Idogbo)(Egharevba, 1968, p.25 ).

Oka village is is along Upper Sakponba Road area of Benin City. On prince Elegbe's return from Orhionmwon territories to Benin after he went in search of an old bullock as required by the Oracle. At one of the Oka villages, on the approaches to Benin, word got to him that Benin already had an Ọba on throne in Usama, in the person of his great-uncle Ehenmihen. Prince Elegbe, who was supposed to be the next rightful heir to the throne of Benin, felt thoroughly abused by Benin and immediately divided the Kingdom into two. He declared himself the monarch of all the potion of the Benin Kingdom to the back of where he stood, in Oka village, near ugbekun village, on the Outskirts of Benin City, declaring where he stood as the boundary between the new and old kingdom and he planted an Ikhinmwin tree on the spot where he stood. Elegbe decleared that he would uproot the plant at a later date, on his successful return to Benin as her monarch. He renamed the village of Oka where he stood Oka n'Umogunhen, which means "the Oka village where the battle begins!" During the reign of Ọba Ozolua, Ogierumwanbo of Oka rebelled and was defeated by Ọba Ozolua (Aisien, 2015a, ; Ebohon, 1972, p.40 ).

Ugbekun shares boundary with Oka where Prince Elegbe divided Benin Kingdom into two parts and declared himself the monarch of the part of the kingdom that starts from where he was standing at Oka, close to Ugbekun, backward to Orhionmwon territories. Monarchical institution in Benin Kingdom started from Ugbekun. The palace of the Ogiso during the first dynasty was located at Ugbekun (Ebohon, 1972, pp.2-4 ).

Umelu is one of the ancient villages in Benin kingdom which predate the second dynasty. THe Enogie of Umelu was first appointed by Oba Esigie (c.1504 AD) (Eweka, 1992, p.88 )

The Village Egbaen is often and popularly called Ogbeson. According to tradition, Egbaen was said to be one of the oldest villages founded in the time of Ogiso. The first Enogie (Ogiegbaen) was appointed by Oba Eresoyen c.1735 AD (Eweka, 1992, p.89 )

These are the people specialised in the production of antedote for poisons. In the past, they help treat soldiers from poisoned arrows (Eweka, 1992, pp.107-108).

This is the village were Ọba Ewuakpe's mother hails from. When things became difficult for Ọba Ewuakpe during his reign he went to Ikoka, his mother's village for assistance but he was rejected. So on his ay back to Benin he cursed Ikoka. Ever since, Ikoka village is known in Benin Kingdom for its infamy and as a land where strife and want never ceased (Igbe, 2019, p.148 ; Aisien, 2015b, pp.88-89 ).

Kuoboyuwa, the first son of Ọba Ewuare I (c.1440 A.D) became the first Edaiken of uselu, ỌbaEwuare I sent his second son, Ezuwarha to Iyowa as the Ogie or chief of the place. Initially the Princes were very close and they sent gifts to each other on different occasions. According to tradition, on one occasion Ezuwarha sent yams from Iyowa to his brother Kuoboyuwa, and in return Kuoboyuwa sent him farm tools. This was seen as an insult by Ezuwarha, who believed his elder brother saw him as a 'bushman'. This was the reason behind their misunderstanding which eventually led to the both of them poisoning each other, and they died the same day (Egharevba, 1968, p.p.13-19 ).

The initial name of this village was Ugha, located in the northwest of Benin Division. On his way from Ife, Oranmiyan stop at Ugha (Okha) for a period of three years. People of Benin went to him for decisions in matters involving the Kingdom. On one occasion, while they were in a meeting under a cotton tree 'okha' in the open air (as the inner court was not big enough to accommodate the great crowd that cam to meet with him) a branch of the cotton tree fell suddenly and killed many people of the assembly.After the incident, Oranmiyan quickly left for Ife. It has been a parable since that Okha n'Ugha yanbo gb'uri-omwan vb'azagba iko Okha, meaning - 'a branch of the cotton tree of Ugha fell and killed two hundred people in the open air meeting of Okha'. The name of the village was afterwards changed from Ugha to Okha, (the cotton tree), as a remembrance of that incident Egharevba, (Egharevba, 1968, p.7 ).

Okhunmwun village is located off the Benin/Lagos Express road between Isihor and Oluku. Iyoba Elaba, the wife of Ọba Esigie, the mother of ỌbaOrhogbua and the daughter of Ovbivbi, hailed from Okhunmwun. According to tradition, the people of Okhunmwun rebelled against Ọba Ozolua. He sent his son Prince Idubor, alias the Arhuanran, who led a punitive expedition against Okhunmwun. Ovbivbi, the ruler of Okhunmwun was killed along side his son Egbemarhuan. Okhunmwun was destroyed and Elaba the daughter of Ovbivbi was captured by Prince Idubor Egharevba, 1968, p.23 ; Eweka, 1992, p.100 )

The origin of this village dates back to the time of Ogiso and it is said that the Enogie was created in the Ogiso dynasty. The Enogie of Omi (Omin) was the maternal grandfather of Prince Idubor (Arhuanran) (Egharevba, 1992, p.104 )

Ugbine was founded during the reign of Ọba Adolor (c.1848 A.D). On January 4th, 1897 Consul Philips and a company of Protectorate officials and representatives of British trading companies set out to Benin. On their way messengers brought word from Oba Ovonramwe that they could not see the king, but Phillips insisted on coming to Benin, hence they continued their journey until the party ran into an ambush near Ugbine village. they were all massacred except Alan Boisragon and Mr Locke. There are presently two memorial sites at Ugbine village. One is the grave site of the Phillips party and the other is the place where Oba Ovonranmwe stopped and rested between Benin City and Ughoton sea port enroute Calabar (Eweka, 1992, pp.108-109 ; Igbafe, 1979, pp.88-90 ).

Urhokhokho village is along Ughoton/Ekehuan Road. This is the point where Prince Ikaladerhan was asked to run and never return to Benin City again by the Odibo Ogiso, who were supposed to execute him. The village is called Urhokhokho because the Odibo Ogiso killed a fowl and spilled the blood at the spot instead of killing Prince Ikaladerhan (Igbe, 2019, pp.41-45 ; Erediauwa, 2013, pp.205-212 ).

Uwan village was established by Ọba Ozolua during his reign (c.1481) (Eweka, 1992, p.100 )

Egor village is one of the site of the coronation rituals in Benin Kingdom. This is because Ọba Eweka I was born in Egor by Erinmwinde the daughter of Osanego the Enogie of Egor. The Enogie of Egor is one of the Uzama N’Ibie of Benin kingdom. Osanego, the grandfather of Ọba Eweka I, was the ninth Enogie, or ruler of Egor. After Eweka I became the Ọba of Benin, he made Osanego his chief adviser, and this made his grandfather highly influential in the Kingdom. Many of the chiefs and elders became envious of him and planned to destroy him.

They advised the King to tell his grandfather to appear in complete state dress for the celebration of an annual festival and he should tie egbele to his dress. Meanwhile, there is an expression zegbele which means 'to commit suicide by hanging' and the young Ọba was unaware of the alternate meaning of the word. The Oba told the Enogie of Egor to put on his state dress and “zegbele,” in the belief that the word-Zegbele- meant to wear an article of dress known as egbele. But his grandfather who understood the true meaning of the word, obeyed and actually and committed suicide. When the Ọba realized what has happened, he was sad and ordered that his grandfather be given the greatest state burial.

Since this incident, all Ọba and Chiefs were instructed to wear the egbele, a small piece of cloth at the waist during certain ceremonies. It is stated that Ogiegor placed a curse of Prince Idubo (Arhuanhan), the Enogie of Udo for haven suffered a great humiliation from a proud grand-child (Aisien, 2015b, p.78 ; Eweka, 1992, pp.104-105&40 ; Egharevba, 1968, p.8 ).

This is the village of the specialised alchemist of Benin Kingdom. When the Iy’Ọba Ariowa died in July 18th, 1926, her corpse was traditionally preserved at Evbuotubu until her son became Ọba seven year later (Egharevba, 1968, p.64 ).

Evbuogida was founded by Ọba Ẹwẹdo as a settlement for the traditional gynaecologists and surgeons of the Kingdom. They also undertake circumcisions and body scarification as the indigenous identification marks of the Edo people called Iwu. The head of the community is called Ogida (Eweka, 1992, p.89 ).

Use is the village where Ọba Eweka I, the son of Oranmiyan was brought up after his birth at Egor. Use village is another important coronation ritual site in Benin Kingdom. This village is one of the ancient villages along presnt day Siloku Road. There are three priests at Use, these are Priests Olo, Olomuza and Edigin (Eweka, 1992, p.89 ).

Uselu Town is an ancient village in Benin Kingdom, its origin date back into the Ogiso period. One of the important features of Uselu is the it has quarters (streets) like some Benin City quarters. The first son Of the Ọba becomes the crown Prince when he is pronounced as the heir apparent by his father or by the chiefs after his father transit. He is sent to Eguae-Edaiken (the palace of the crowned Prince) at Upper Uselu, three miles from Benin City. The coronation of the Edaiken begins at Uselu before he is brought to Benin. The first Edaikẹn N'Uselu was Kuoboyuwa, the eldest son of Ọba Ẹwuare. He was sent to replace the warrior Iken, the Agba of Uselu (Aisien, 2015b, p.23 ; Egharevba, 1968, p.14 ; Egharevba, 1971, p.26 ).

The Iy’Ọba or Queen Mother shares Uselu with the Edaiken (Crown Prince). The lower part of Uselu is location of the Iy’Ọba palace, which came into existence in c.1504 AD. Since then, this section of Uselu town became known as Uselu n’eguae Iy’Ọba (Uselu of the Iy’Ọba Palace). It is also referred to as lower Uselu and most significantly it serves as the final resting place of the Iy’Ọba of Benin. It was for the sake of the purpose of caring for the Iy’Ọba that Chief Ero was relocated from his Ugbekun residence to Urubi, while the Emehe of Urubi were sent to Uselu n’eguae Iy’Ọba by Ọba Orhogbua (Ebohon, 2019, p.151 ; Egharevba, 1971, pp.26-27 ).

Essi was one of the villages founded by Ogiso Ere (c.16-66 A.D) and it is likely that the Enogie of Essi would have been created by one of the Ogisos. Essi village is today the resting place of Ọba Ewuare I being one the few Benin monarchs that were never interred in at Ogbe (Aisien, 2012, p.4 ).

Ikpako village is under Ughoton District. Ikpako is headed by an Okao, a non-hereditary title. The people of Ikpako are largely descendants of the Idunmwun-Edo migrants from Ekehuan. The left Ekehuan due to inceasant raids from Ijo coastal dwellers. In ancient time, Ughoton was regarded as the senior among other villages in the district. It is said that, messages to any of these villages including Ikpako, from the Ọba were sent through the Ohen Olokun (Olokun priest) the village head of Ughoton. Ikpako and other neighboring villages in the districts had their council meetings at Ughoton (Eweka, 1992, pp.108-109 ).

Udo was one of the few powerful political centres with visible development by the last decades of the eighteenth century. Udo is located in the Iyekovia territories in present day Ovia Southwest Local Government Area. During the reign of Ogiso Odoligie (712-767 A.D), Udo was considered the rival principality to Igodomigodo from the Iyekovia territories. Also, Akpanigiakon of Udo rivalled Oba Oguola and Prince Idubor (Arhuanhan) revolted against Oba Esigie from Udo (Eweka, 1992, pp.90-94 ; Egharevba, 1968, pp.11&26 ).

Ughoton was founded along with other ancient villages during the reign of Ogisos. Some people had thought that it was founded by Ekaladerhan, but Ughoton has been in existence before the coming of Ogiso Kings. Ughoton has been a coastal town for the Ogisodom, and it was a famous port town through which the Benin Kingdom had access to the Great waters of the earth and heaven. According to ancient tradition, corpses are buried with their feet pointing to the west, that is towards Ughoton, where the dead are believed to embark in canoes and cross the sea to the spirit world which lies beyond the dome of the sky. In other words, Ughoton was the gate way to heaven through the waters. When the Europeans came, they passed through the waters and the port of Ughoton to Benin and had commercial dealing with the kingdom of Benin. When the British punitive expedition attacked Benin, a section came through Ughoton and Oba Ovonramwe was taken through Ughoton while he was been taken to Calabar (Eweka, 1992, p.107 ; Egharevba, 1968, pp.26-32 ).

Umoghunmwun is divided into two, Umoghunmwun n'okhua and Umoghunmwun n'ekherhe. It was founded by Elegbe, a Prince of Benin, a descendant of Oronmiyan, and the great grandson of Eweka the first, the second Ọba of Benin. Under the existence of the Ugu Kingdom in Orhionmwon territories, Umoghunmwun was the capital of this Kingdom that broke away from Benin Kingdom, which lasted for about four hundred years Aisien, 2015a ; Egharevba, 1968, p.33 .