History of Itsekiri
Date
1970
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frank Cass and Company Limited, London
Abstract
Historical notes; Ginuwa's exodus from Benin city; Establishment of Warri kingdom by Ijijen; The Itsekiri dynasty; Olu Irame; Olu Oyenakpagha; Olu Erejuwa; Olu Akengbuwa; Olu Akengbuwa; Olu Akengbuwa; Olu Akengbuwa; Olu Akengbuwa; Olu Akengbuwa6; Olu Akengbuwa; Olu Akengbuwa; Olu Akengbuwa; Imi: The war minister; Princess Emenugo: The heroine; The Portuguese; The commencement of the interregnum; Some notable events during the interregnum; Chief Dore Numa; The lawsuits; Taxation and native administration; Religion; Oye-Title or Office-bearing position; The organization of Itsekiri village communities with particular reference to trade.
Description
Prior to the advent of the Bini Prince Ginuwa, the
territory now known as the Kingdom of Itsekiri or
Iwere, was inhabited by three tribes, namely, Ijaws,
Sobos, and the Mahins. The most populous amongst
these were the Sobo. They occupied the hinterland,
while the Ijaw occupied the coast-line, and the Mahin
squatted on the sea-shore near the Benin River.
There are four principal Sobo towns, whose inhabitants migrated from Benin City at different periods,
namely, Agbassa-Oto, Ughele, lyede, and Ugo.
Prominent among the Ijaw tribe are Gulani (Gulagha),
Mehin (Meghini), and Erogbo; while the Mahins
(Ulaje) hailed from Akoko and Ikale in the Province
of Ondo, Nigeria.
There was, of course, according to tradition, a
peculiar species of some immortalised beings known
as Umale, who lived amongst and intermarried with
these three tribes in the pre-Ginuwa days.
The settlers in this region all recognized the suzerainty of the Oba of Benin, to whom they paid tributes.
When the headman of each of the four Sobo towns
died, his corpse was carried to Benin City for interment.
The rites or ceremony by which their heirs obtain
title from Benin, before assuming the deceased’s
position in town, is called Oghorogho-Oba-nu-lfe.