Pre-Colonial Female Figures in Benin Kingdom

Mrs Iziengbe Pat Ebuka-Onuoha speaks about prominent pre-colonial female figures in Benin’s history. She first describes Queen (Oloi) Ohọnmi, a powerful woman and sorcerer who did everything in her power to protect her son, Prince Aruanran – the giant prince. Though Ohọnmi tried to ensure that Aruanran succeeded his father Ọba Ọzọlua, Queen Idia was more powerful. The bronze figure carries in her hand what appears to be the sacrifice Queen Ohọnmi is known to have offered for the safe delivery of her child after being pregnant for forty months. Mrs Ebuka-Onuoha goes on to state that the ivory female figure is a mnemonic of Princess Adesuwa, daughter of Chief Ezọmọ of Uzebu, who was betrothed to the Ọba. Princess Adesuwa was murdered by Ogie-Oboro of the Isele-Uku dukedom. The figure carries a bowl of kola nuts and depicts a young Benin damsel. Mrs Ebuka-Onuoha identifies the standing female figure as Princess Edẹlẹyọ, the first princess to take the crown in the history of the Benin Kingdom. Princess Edẹlẹyọ is described as a strong-willed, powerful woman who offered to succeed her father, Ọba Ẹwuare I, when her brothers fled after the assassination of the eldest, Ọba Ẹzoti, during his coronation rituals.