AFRICA: ONE CONTINENT. MANY WORLDS | AFRICAN STORIES | BENIN

The Early Period (before 1400)

How old is the kingdom of Benin? No one is exactly sure when the kingdom of Benin was founded. Some scholars believe it began as early as 900 A.D.; others date its origin to the late 1300s.

The following legend tells us what the people of Edo state say about the founding of Benin.

The first rulers of Benin were known as the "sky kings," or Ogisos. About 30 of these men ruled Benin until the Edo people threw one out of office because he misused his power. For a time, Benin was without a king. Then the Edo decided-to ask the Oni, king of the sacred Yoruba city of Ile-Ife, to send them a king. The Oni sent his youngest son Oranmiyan. When he reached Benin City, Oranmiyan married an Edo woman. Together they had a son named Eweka. Once his son was of age, Oranmiyan left the kingdom. Eweka became Benin's first oba; his descendants rule Benin to this day.

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