Google apps this statue sits at the entrance of the oba akenzua cultural centre, benin city. Prior to this, when oba akenzua the second was king, his son oba erediawa was in overseas as was the custom and after years of not seeing his father oba akenzua the second, oba erediawa got tired and sent his father a message. During his reign, only two of the 3,000 royal court bronzes were returned. Governor head honour ishan january john killed king known lagos land later leader lyase march massacre meaning messengers mother native obas offered ogiamwen ogiso olua opened ovonramwen palace party peace period present prince qba of benin qbas qzolua refused. He even wrote a book entitled a short history of benin. Teaching history with 100 objects the oba of benin. Do not forget that at this time, oba erediawa was already getting old and was growing grey hair. These reliefs, commissioned by oba akenzua ii in the 1940s, depict important events in traditional benin history. Bishop itegboje was the chief president of uneme descendants union in 1955. This statue sits at the entrance of the oba akenzua cultural centre, benin city. See more ideas about books, oromo people and cd card. The oba of benin is the traditional ruler and the custodian of the culture of the edo people and all edoid people and head of the historic eweka dynasty of the benin empire a west african empire centred on benin city, in modernday nigeria.
His son, grandson and now his greatgrandson, however, all preserved their title and status as traditional rulers in modernday nigeria. He informed that the benin people no longer wish to be drawn. By naiwu osahon a lot of dust was raised in the press in 2004 over the oduduwa issue. Oba akenzua middle and lord plymouth right around 1935 in benin. All students of history must carefully preserve this historical record as a reference point. He exhibited dignity and exerted authority over his people. Ewuare reorganized the government of edo by centralizing it and he set up three powerful palace associations of chiefs.
Other important aspect or feature of our program is that it is the first time in all political history as far as i know, that a political party. I led an ad hoccommittee of uneme to the oba of benin, hrh oba akenzua ii, and fortunately. Aisien lies buried today in the first cemetery created by the colonial authorities in benin. Art history 55a study guide 201516 nelson instructor. Isekhure of benin kingdom according to benin history was created in. This brass plaque dating from the sixteenth century was seized by british troops from the palace of the oba king of benin along with many other exquisite items made of brass, bronze, ivory, coral and wood. A photo of the earl of plymouth, oba akenzua ii and sir john macpherson, governorgeneral of nigeria when the coral regalia of oba ovonramwen was returned back to the kingdom in the mid 30s. The richest person ever to walk the planet was not, as it turns out, an astor, a carnegie or even a windsor.
Bini history precedes oduduwas by at least 1,240 years because 31 ogisos ruled igodomigodo between 40 bce 1200 ce. Oba akenzua welcoming queen elizabeth to his kingdom whilst chief obafemi awolowo looks on. Omo noba nedo uku akpolokpolo, akenzua ii january 7, 1899 june 11, 1978 was the. It shows the oba surrounded by his attendants and provides an opportunity both to explore the importance and status of the oba and the wealth and sophistication of the culture of benin. The oba of benin was the head of state king of the benin empire. The beninife connection edo nation history and culture. The glory of benin kingdom and the shame of british empire. His royal highness oba akenzua ii ruled benin between 1933 and 1978. U aashikpelokhai mathematics department ambrose alli university, ekpoma, edo state. Ineme chiefs that went before oba akenzua ii a year or so before he passed on, who then renounced. Adams, who visited benin around the 17th century attributed. The present oba of benin, omo noba erediauwa himself a university trained man from kings college, cambridge university, great britain argues that it is erroneous and distortion of history to. The passages from such books or maps used are identified in all my references.
He was born richard jacobs in 1948, a brown west indian subject of the british empire but he became ras oba chatoyer, a black africaninexile, a leader in the rastafarian community and a political radical. He died in benin city on the 20th october 19, sixteen years after the benin british war, and three months before the death of his monarch, oba ovonramwen, in calabar on the th january 1914. Prince edun akenzua, one of the sons of the late oba akenzua of benin says the main reason for the mistrust by the two ethnic groups is because the yoruba and benin approach history from differing perspectives. In 1897, the british force, under the command of admiral sir harry rawson, exiled the then oba ovonramwen, taking control of the area in order to establish the british colony of nigeria. Oba akenzua ii 19331978 in royal regalia during a palace ceremony, 1964, nigeria. The benin kingdom situated in southcentral nigeria dates to approximately 900 a. Chief egharevba has left generations factaminute historical compendium of benin kingdom and southern nigeria that is sown like a thread in a garment. A historical perspective chapter one introduction benin city and issele uku are historic places in former bendel state of nigeria.
Trade and religion in britishbenin relations, 15531897. Parzingers misconceptions and misrepresentations about. The issues surrounding the isekhure of benin kingdom title since 1973, has taken a new and twisted dimension over who the real occupant of the title, isekhure is, following importunate claims by sectionalmember of the late chief eguavoen isekhure, who was the occupant of the prestigious title until he demised during the reign of oba akenzua 11, the. Altar group with oba ewuakpe, benin, nigeria, now in ethnological museum, berlin, germany. Oduduwa was the first ruler in all of yoruba land and was seen as the yoruba spiritual progenitor. Oba of benin2 by osadolo edomwonyi other full length book has been written on any of the forty obas kings of benin kingdom, nigeria. These objects entered the collections of natural history museums, art museums both encyclopedic and specialist and private collections in europe and the united states. Between 1890 and 1918, western colonial expansion in africa led to the looting of many pieces of subsaharan african art, artifacts or natural heritage that were subsequently brought to europe and displayed. Sweet ufumwen akenzuaebeigbe, who grew up in an ancient palace in benin city, nigeria, taught usi classes on african art and culture, helped organize an african cultural.
A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Visiting scholar brings royal opportunity for art students and community kids t he art departments visiting professor in fall 2014 was a princess with a phd. Before the berlin conference of 1885, traders and explorers to africa bought or stole art as souvenirs and curios, spreading beyond the coast. Oba akenzua ii 19331978 in royal regalia during a palace. Rogers wrote and published at least 16 books and pamphlets. She remembers her father, oba akenzua ii, who ruled from 1933 until. The portuguese, british, dutch and french traded with them. Omo n oba nedo uku akpolokpolo, akenzua ii january 7, 1899june 11, 1978 was the oba of benin traditional leader of the edo people, in nigeria from 1933 until his death in 1978. In 1897, violence erupted between the british and forces loyal to the benin king. It should also be said, for the purpose of putting the issue straight, that omo n oba akenzua ii, the father of omo n oba erediauwa did not attend meetings of yoruba obas but of obas in the old colonial western provinces, where the withdrawing colonial authorities had lumped benin. Who is the oba of benin kingdom in nigeria and why is he so important to. Rogers, a world traveler, often traveled to europe and north africa in the 1920s. Akenzua ii was enthroned as oba of benin in april 1933 following the death of his father, eweka ii r.
Pdf an assessment of the economics of the benin language. Under him, edo was completely transformed religiously, politically, socially, physically and militarily. This made it highly imperative to keep a large army to secure his empire which he inherited from oba ozolua. It shows that both oba eweka ii 191433 and oba akenzua ii 193379 supported. A short history of benin 3rd edition by jacob egharevba. Page 67 55 directly above the door the portrait of akenzua ii shows the oba wearing a full length cassock made of red coral beads 10 similar to those found on the brass plaques figure 44. A guide to the rogers, joel augustus collection, 18831966. Study 194 art history 55a study guide 2015 16 nelson flashcards from studyblue on studyblue. The looting of african artworks from their source countries during the 19th century. Oba ecun get textbooks new textbooks used textbooks.
A concise history of uneme ambrose alli university. And just as no one here knows precisely when the old oba of the tribal region, which is a part of nigeria, not the neighboring country of benin, joined his regal ancestors in mortality it is. Oba eweka ii 1914, oba akenzua ii 1933 and oba erediauwa 1979 were initiated into the edion age grade at ughoton before their installation. Dear internet archive community, ill get right to it. Oral history has it that in mythological times, the ogiso rulers, the first dynasty of benin founded the kingdom. Oba akenzua ii as referred to as iso norho and osanobua nagbon. Among the artifacts at the oba akenzua gallery is a bronze casting of the head of queen idia. The present oba of benin, omo n oba erediauwa himself a university trained man from kings college, cambridge university, great britain argues that it is erroneous and distortion of history to. Download your complete project topics and materialspdf. There are also examples of brass casters commemorating modern events. Nigeria for their thirst for book learning and high levels of formal education. Benin city was the capital of the state while issele uku is a town in aniocha local government area. Oct 01, 2015 the benin kingdom was located in what is now the edo state in southwestern nigeria.
Bishop itegboje 1984 wrote in his book the history and tradition of the uneme that a curse was. Oba ewuare the great, was the most dynamic, innovative and successful oba in the history of edo kingdom. Any serious attempt by an esan man, etsako man or ika man etc, to trace and know more about the history of his people will not go beyond oba ewuares era. Oba of benin bendel newspaper corporation, benin city, 1981. Oba akenzua ii, who ruled from 1933 until 1978, as a progressive man who refused to marry off his daughters at a young age, as was the. Oba akenzua ii 19331978 was an edo king or oba, son and heir to oba eweka ii 19141933. He explained that what the benin believed as to be the truth has been documented by the current oba in his book. A concise history of uneme ambrose alli university, ekpoma. Jun 22, 20 akenzua ii oba akenzua ii 19331978 was an edo king or oba, son and heir to oba eweka ii 19141933. Apr 25, 2017 he died in benin city on the 20th october 19, sixteen years after the benin british war, and three months before the death of his monarch, oba ovonramwen, in calabar on the th january 1914. The famous and wellknown bronzes, relating to benin history and culture, should be returned to benin unless the oba of benin agrees that some of them may stay abroad. Oba akenzua iis restitution requests audrey peraldi.
He expressed worry over the scathing comments of some people after the revered oba released his book. Rather it was a fellow named mansa musa i, who, if you havent heard of him, ruled what used to the vast malian empire from 1280 to 37, a terrain now encompassing mali and ghana that was blessed with oodles of salt and gold. A guide to the rogers, joel augustus collection, 18831966 papers 19301968 fisk university archives. We know benin history, dont write it for us prince akenzua. Oba akenzua ii was soft spoken and well comported in conformation with his office of a natural ruler. Ekeh and others published ogiso times and eweka times.
Omo noba nedo uku akpolokpolo, akenzua ii january 7, 1899june 11, 1978 was the oba of benin traditional leader of the edo people, in nigeria from 1933 until his death in 1978. The controversies on oduduwa are finally put to rest in this writeup. Oba ewuare the great, as he later came to be known, was the most dynamic, innovative and successful oba in the history of edo kingdom. The oba of benin is the traditional ruler and the custodian of the culture of the edo people and all edoid people and head of the historic eweka dynasty of the. Published by heritage books, apapa, lagos, nigeria. Princess elizabeth olowu 1937, daughter of oba akenzua ii king from 1933 1978. Well, papa chief obafemi awolowo, our first question, which we are allowing you 30 minutes to answer this question, is to tell the audience and the viewers at home the programs of the unity party of nigeria, and also especially what qualifies papa chief obafemi awolowo to be the next president of this country, taking into consideration our.
An analysis of the state of ughoton after the british. Bishop itegboje 1984 wrote in his book the history and tradition of the uneme that a curse was placed on the uneme. This is an indication that the benin obas still recognize the significance of ughoton in benin history in spite of the setback witnessed in british invasion of 1897. In 1936, oba akenzua began the movement to return back to nigeria the benin bronzes stolen in the punitive benin expedition of 1897. European museums to loan looted benin bronzes to nigeria. And any day, i will rather follow that book than follow what an oba who is not an expert in the field and whose only interest in the matter is to be able to assert his own opinion. Oba edoni 12951299 ce and oba udagbedo 129934 ce made no impact on ubini. It is located a few kilometres away from the ovonramwen square and right behind the post office. A short biography of uku akpolokpolo, omo n oba n edo akenzua ii, cmg, jp, lld. Oba ohen 3470 ce whose murder of his iyase, the traditional prime minister of ubini land, led to a rebellion that brought his reign to an end with his. The history of the benin kingdom cannot be completely told without extensive mention of queen idia. A short history of benin kingdom the new black magazine.
He worked relentlessly for the peace love, unity, and progress of his people. Under him, benin was completely transformed religiously, politically, socially and physically. Oba s story tells of the life, religious development and work for justice of a rastafarian on the island of st. Finally we get to see the benin bronzes in benin city. Preliminaries my motivation comes from my stay in accra, ghana 19611969. Photographs ralph bunche and other united nations officers. Altar group with oba akenzua, benin, nigeria now in ethnologisches museumhumboldt forum, berlin, germany. The benin kingdom was located in what is now the edo state in southwestern nigeria. Visiting scholar brings royal opportunity for art students. Till this day, any new oba of lagos is usually crowned by the oba of benin.
Oba akenzua i, from 1715 ad and oba eresonyen from 1735 ad, successfully fought the rebellious chiefs and restored power and legitimacy to the bini manarchy. Owing to the welcome given to the first edition in the vernacular of the short history, i have endeavoured in this english version to meet the needs of foreigners who do not understand the benin language, but are anxious to know its history. Commemorative head of an oba, benin, nigeria, now in ethnologisches museumhumboldt forum, berlin, germany. The ban was, however, lifted during the reign of oba akenzua i 17121740. Republished many books and still had some in the press at the time of his.
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