Oral History

The oral traditions tell the story of the Benin Kingdom from the perspective of Benin people themselves. Passed down across generations, these narratives preserve indigenous knowledge, cultural memory and historical interpretation through spoken word. Contributors including chiefs, elders, scholars and artists contextualise Benin objects within living cultural practices, rituals and ceremonies. By digitising these voices, oral history is preserved as a vital primary source for future research, education and the safeguarding of Edo culture.

55 contributors
Aiko Obobaifo
Local Historian

Aiko Obobaifo

Mr Aiko Obobaifo was born in Benin City into the family of the Obobaifo of Benin Kingdom. He is a retired civil servant. He was the Secretary of the Institute for Benin Studies until January 2020 and has been engaged in the study and documentation of Benin history since 1997.
Local Historian

Amowie Izoduwa Imasuen

Amowie Izoduwa Imasuen is a Benin-born cultural activist. He is the coordinator general of the great Benin descendants worldwide. Over the years, he has lent his vocal voice to preserving and documenting Benin history and culture, as the royal chroniclers—Ughoron—did in ancient times. Imasuen has been prominent in the media, producing documentaries on Benin's history and culture. His interest in the rich cultural heritage of the Benin kingdom was ignited at the Institute for Benin Studies some years ago.
Bernard Oviamwonyi
Elder

Bernard Oviamwonyi

Mr Bernard Oviamwonyi is a descendant of the Enogie of Umelu town. He is a member of the elders council, and he lives at Umelu town along Saint Saviour Road in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Edo State.

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Chief Aibuẹdẹfe
Chief

Chief Aibuẹdẹfe

Chief Aibuẹdẹfe is a member of the Ewua of the Ogbelaka guild.
Chief D. U. Edebiri
Chief

Chief D. U. Edebiri

Chief David Uyuhungbebe Edebiri is the Esọgban of Benin Kingdom. His books on various aspects of Benin history and culture include Ekuase (a legend from colonial Benin) and Moonlight at Noon (about the coronation of Ọba Erediauwa). He earned a doctor of letters from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and is a recipient of the prestigious national honour of the Order of the Niger.
Chief Eguaogie Evbuomwan
Eldest man in Lower Uselu Quarter

Chief Eguaogie Evbuomwan

Chief Eguaogie Evbuomwan is the Odionwere of Iyoba Iheya quarter and Odionwere of the entire Uselu n’Eguae-Iyoba. He was born in 1947 at Uselu.

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Chief

Chief Emwinmaruamwa Aigbe Obasogie

CHIEF EMWINMARUAMWA AIGBE OBASOGIE is the head of the Igun n'Ugboha guild of Benin Kingdom.
Chief Enekighidi
Chief

Chief Idoluwayi, the Enekighidi

Chief Idọluwayi is the Enekighidi of Ogbelaka, an elder among the Ewua of the Ogbelaka guild.
Sensitive Content

Digital Benin collates digital material from institutions, and some of this material is inherently colonial and contains words, terms and phrases that are inaccurate, derogatory and harmful towards African and African diasporic communities. Catalogue transcriptions, book titles, exhibition titles and museum titles may contain harmful terms. We recognise the potential for the material to cause physical and mental distress as well as evoke strong emotions. Owing to the scale of the collection’s data, a process to implement sensitive-content warnings in the displayed data is still incomplete. The material within the catalogue does not represent Digital Benin’s views. Digital Benin maintains a strong anti-colonial, anti-racist position and affirms its support for centring the humanity of historically marginalised and disenfranchised communities. Read more about the background of this statement here