The Origin of the Ogiso Dynasty

The Benin people were spread around Ivbioto, Okhoro, Ugbague and Uzebu, and they were all about thirty-one settlements. They had no kings, only Owere. The oldest of the Owere was called Ọdiọnwere until the different quarters united. When there were important cases they all came together to deliberate and discuss. Benin was known as Evbuoto with all these villages and quarters. The Ogiso kingship evolved from the time of Igodo, who was the Ọdiọnwere of Ivbioto. Igodo hails from Udo village. Igodo displayed a high sense of judgement when cases were brought to the Owere council. Chief Osemwengie Ero said that the people were so pleased with his reign as Ọdiọnwere that they likened him to the king in the sky, saying, ‘o ye vbe ogie n’re iso’. This was later corrupted to ‘Ogiso’ – the king in the sky. Ogiso Igodo then moved to finalise the unification of the people and built his capital at Ugbekun. Ogiso Igodo’s palace is today referred to as ‘Ogo n’Errie’.