The Story of Iyasẹ Ẹkpẹnẹde (Iyasẹ Ẹkpẹnẹde Altar)

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Historical Figure

Iyasẹ Ẹkpẹnẹde was very loyal to Ọba Ehengbuda. He was like a foreman to him, and was always sent on war campaigns. While on the front, his son was accused of committing adultery with one of the Ọba’s wives. As a result, Ọba Ehengbuda ordered Iyasẹ Ẹkpẹnẹde’s son to be executed. When Iyasẹ Ẹkpẹnẹde returned from the war and heard what had happened, he did not wait to ask the Ọba and murdered the Ọba’s daughter who was betrothed to him. Immediately, Ọba Ehengbuda ordered the arrest of Iyasẹ Ẹkpẹnẹde, and the Iyasẹ committed suicide. Whenever an Ọba’s emissary gets to Iyasẹ Ẹkpẹnẹde’s house and sees the decomposing body of the Iyase, the emissary will die.

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Referenced in this interview

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