The Akure–Benin War in 1818 was a conflict between the Benin Kingdom and the Akure Kingdom in what is now Nigeria. The origins of this conflict can be traced to the complex history of the region, with Akure being a place of ancient settlements, some dating back to the early Ife kingdom. The Akure Kingdom emerged when these communities were consolidated under the rule of Prince Omoremilekun, who descended from Oduduwa, a revered figure in Yoruba history. Historically, the relationship between Benin and Akure had been marked by peace and mutual respect due to shared cultural heritage and ancestry.
However, this harmony was disrupted when Chief Osague, a Benin emissary, was killed by the Deji of Akure, Arakale. This incident, along with other conflicts and provocations, triggered the Benin invasion of Akure. The invasion involved military manoeuvres, with the Benin army led by Chief Erebo the Ezomo, General Ologbosere the Ologbosere, and the Imaran. They encountered resistance from the Akure army, led by the Deji himself. The Benin army strategically advanced through various routes, eventually capturing Akure after the destruction of the Deji's palace. This victory led to the establishment of Akure as a vassal state under Benin's control.
The consequences of the war were profound. For Akure, it marked a defeat, resulting in the loss of independence and submission to Benin's rule. The Deji of Akure had to pledge allegiance to the Oba of Benin, Osemwende, and pay tribute. In contrast, for Benin, the war demonstrated its power and expanded its territorial influence, with the Oba amassing greater wealth through tribute and plunder. The conflict had a lasting impact on the history and culture of both Akure and Benin, commemorated through various means, including oral traditions, festivals, monuments, and art.
Background
The Akure Kingdom, with its origins linked to the revered figure of Oduduwa, was established by Omoremilekun, a prince from Ile-Ife and a skilled elephant hunter. His journey led to the unification of various autonomous communities in the region, culminating in his crowning as the first Ajapada of Akure. The kingdom's early history was marked by resistance to centralised rule, similar to the early Ife kingdom, but Omoremilekun's leadership brought stability and unity, establishing a royal dynasty that would last for centuries.[2][3]
Relations between the Akure Kingdom and the Benin Empire were historically peaceful, rooted in shared cultural heritage and common ancestry. Akure acknowledged the authority of the Oba of Benin, with tributes and reverence, while the Oba maintained friendly relations through envoys and gifts. This harmony was disrupted by an incident that led to the Akure–Benin War, highlighting the delicate balance of power and respect between the two kingdoms.[4][5][6]
Causes
The Akure–Benin War of 1818 erupted from a cascade of events that began with the assassination of a Benin diplomat and escalated with subsequent violent acts. Chief Osague, an esteemed member from the Iwebo Chancellery of the Benin Palace, was dispatched to Akure in 1818 with the Chalk of Good Tidings, signifying Oba Osemwende's ascension in 1816. The Deji of Akure, Arakale, envious of Chief Osague's attire, instigated a confrontation resulting in Osague's death.[7][8]
Other accounts suggest Chief Osague's mission was punitive, tasked with disciplining Akure for appointing a Deji without Benin's consent.[9] Concurrently, a Benin merchant named Ogonto was assaulted in Akure's market, sparking riots that led to the death of several Bini individuals.[10] A similar event at Igbara-Odo resulted in the massacre of many Bini and the destruction of their property.[11]
Adorned in the regalia befitting a Benin chief, Chief Osague, accompanied by his entourage, presented the Chalk of Good Tidings to Arakale, who coveted Osague's coral bead regalia.[8] A dispute later arose in Akure between one of Chief Osague's wives and a local tobacco seller, a conflict Arakale had incited, which escalated into a brawl.[8] In the ensuing melee, as Chief Osague attempted to defend his wife, he was slain. Arakale then claimed Chief Osague's coral beads for himself.[8] The news of these events reached Benin City, reporting the murder of the Oba's emissary.[8] This incited Osemwende to declare a punitive expedition to avenge his emissary's death and subjugate Akure.[8][12]
Course
The punitive expedition was orchestrated by a cadre of Benin's military elite, comprising three war commanders and two front commanders, each overseeing distinct contingents and strategic routes.[13] The esteemed positions of Ezomo, Ologbosere, and Imaran were held by Erebor, General Ologbosere, and a valiant warrior respectively, signifying their high military ranks within the Benin hierarchy.[14][15][16] Imadiyi and Oyodo, as front commanders, played pivotal roles in the campaign.[14]
As the Benin forces advanced, they encountered staunch resistance from the Akure army, led by the Deji himself.[17] The Benin commanders, employing strategic maneuvers through various routes, converged upon Akure.[18] Their military campaign was marked by attacks on Akure, Ilawe, and Igara-Odo, driving these regions northwards along with the towns of Ewi.[19] The success of the Benin military operation was attributed to a strategic encirclement, countering Akure's preparations for defense against any threats from Benin.[19]
The Benin military launched an assault and successfully captured the town.[20] The Deji of Akure, Arakale, was apprehended, executed, and his son, Adésọ́rọ̀ (Osupa), was taken prisoner to Benin.[21] This decisive action by the Benin forces quelled the rebellion in Akure.[22] They took numerous captives and seized cattle and valuables, imposing a heavy annual tribute on Akure, consisting of three slaves, as well as ivories and corals, all payable to the Oba of Benin.[23][24] Consequently, Akure was relegated to a vassal state under Benin, marking a significant loss of its independence and stature.[25][26]
Consequences
The aftermath of the conflict had profound and lasting effects on Akure and Benin. In Akure, the war culminated in a crushing defeat, stripping away its autonomy and prosperity. The town fell under Benin's dominion, leading to a period of subjugation and humiliation.[27] The Deji was coerced into swearing fealty to the Oba of Benin, committing to a regular tribute and acts of homage.[6]
For Benin, the war was a demonstration of its military might and reaffirmed its status as a formidable power. The Oba's influence extended over Akure and the surrounding territories, enhancing Benin's control over the region.[28] The Oba solidified his supremacy, amassing wealth and resources through the tributes and spoils collected from Akure.[29]
The victory in the war was bolstered by additional support from allied forces, including troops and supplies from the Ikerres in eastern Yorubaland and the Esan chiefdom of Irrua.[30] The Onojie of Uromi's assistance during the conflict was acknowledged by the Oba of Benin, who granted him the right to inherit the belongings of childless individuals in Uromi.[8] Following Akure's reconquest, the Benin army's leading commanders, Imadiyi and Oyodo, established a strategic base at Otun, facilitating further military operations in the Ekiti region and other eastern Yorubaland areas.[31][29] Their conquests brought numerous towns and chiefdoms under Benin's sway, compelling Ekiti princes to acknowledge the Oba's imperial authority through annual tributes.[8]
Legacy
In 1834, years after the Akure conquest, the Oba of Benin released Adésọ́rọ̀, the son of Arakale, from captivity and was then appointed as the Deji of Akure.[31] He assumed the title of Osupa I (Osupa lati Ado wa) and was tasked with safeguarding Benin's interests in the Ekiti region.[31] Notably, a man named Orhuon (Orhuonkedo), (likely the king named "Osuon", in Akure history, said to be a brother of Osupa), who had proclaimed himself Deji of Akure, committed suicide upon learning of Osupa I's arrival with the Oba's messengers.[8]
The conflict left a lasting legacy in the history and culture of both Akure and Benin. It is a testament to its role in shaping their identity and destiny, commemorated through various means, including oral traditions, festivals, monuments, and art.[27] A cannonball at the Benin Museum which may have been used in the destruction of the Deji's palace is recorded by Jacob Egharevba.[32]
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as of the 2006 population census. Its current population is 774,000.
Yorubaland is the homeland and cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa. It spans the modern-day countries of Nigeria, Togo and Benin, and covers a total land area of 142,114 km2 (54,871 sq mi). Of this land area, 106,016 km2 (74.6%) lies within Nigeria, 18.9% in Benin, and the remaining 6.5% is in Togo. Prior to European colonization, a portion of this area was known as Yoruba country. The geo-cultural space contains an estimated 55 million people, the majority of this population being ethnic Yoruba.
The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire in West Africa. It was located in present-day southern Benin and western Nigeria. The empire grew to become the largest Yoruba-speaking state through the organizational and administrative efforts of the Yoruba people, trade, as well as the military use of cavalry. The Oyo Empire was one of the most politically important states in Western Africa from the mid-17th to the late 18th century and held sway not only over most of the other kingdoms in Yorubaland, but also over nearby African states, notably the Fon Kingdom of Dahomey in the modern Republic of Benin on its west.
Chief Jacob Uwadiae Egharevba (1893–1981) was a Bini historian and traditional chief whose writings specialized in the history of Benin Kingdom.
The Ijesha are a sub-ethnicity of the Yorubas of West Africa. Ilesha is the largest town and historic cultural capital of the Ijesha people, and is home to a kingdom of the same name, ruled by an Oba locally styled as the Owa Obokun Adimula. The present ruling family of Ijesha is the Aromolaran family with the current reigning Owa Obokun being Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.
Oba means "ruler" in the Yoruba and Bini languages. Kings in Yorubaland, a region which is in the modern republics of Benin, Nigeria and Togo, make use of it as a pre-nominal honorific. Examples of Yoruba bearers include Oba Ogunwusi of Ile-Ife, Oba Aladelusi of Akure, and Oba Akiolu of Lagos. An example of a Bini bearer is Oba Ewuare II of Benin.
The documented history begins when Oranyan came to rule the Oyo Empire, which became dominant in the early 17th century. The older traditions of the formerly dominant Ile-Ife kingdom are largely oral.
The Yoruba people are a West African ethnic group who mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by the Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute more than 48 million people in Africa, are over a million outside the continent, and bear further representation among members of the African diaspora. The vast majority of the Yoruba population is today within the country of Nigeria, where they make up 20.7% of the country's population according to Ethnologue estimations, making them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. Most Yoruba people speak the Yoruba language, which is the Niger-Congo language with the largest number of native or L1 speakers.
The Akure Kingdom is a traditional state with headquarters in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. It is the successor to an ancient Yoruba city state of the same name. The ruler bears the title "Deji of Akure".
The Ondo Kingdom is a traditional state that traces its origins back for over 500 years, with its capital in Ode Ondo. Ondo Kingdom was established by Princess Pupupu, one the twins of Alafin Oluaso. Her mother was Queen Olu who later died at Ile oluji. There were wars in the town between 1865 and 1885 when people in the kingdom fled to Oke Opa. Three Osemawes were installed and died there. Before then the kingdom was ruled by the son of Pupupu called Airo.
The Ekiti people are one of the largest historical subgroups of the larger Yoruba people of West Africa, located in Nigeria. They are classified as a Central Yoruba group, alongside the Ijesha, Igbomina, Yagba and Ifes. Ekiti State is populated exclusively by Ekiti people; however, it is but a segment of the historic territorial domain of Ekiti-speaking groups, which historically included towns in Ondo State such as Akure, Ilara-Mokin, Ijare, and Igbara-oke. Ogbagi, Irun, Ese, Oyin, Igasi, Afin and Eriti in the Akoko region, as well as some towns in Kwara State, are also culturally Ekiti, although belong in other states today.
Alara is the royal title of the king of Ilara-Mokin land in Nigeria. The Alara may be addressed as Oba, like rulers in other Yoruba kingdoms, or as His Royal Majesty. Alara is also known to be unquestionable, with an authority that is said to be next to the gods.
The Kiriji War, also known as the Ekiti–Parapo War, was a 16-year-long civil war between the subethnic kingdoms of the Yoruba people, specifically divided between the Western Yoruba, which was mainly the Ibadan and Oyo-speaking Yorubas, and the Eastern Yoruba, who were the Ekiti people, Ijesha, Ijebu people, and others.
Osupa I, otherwise known as Òṣùpá t'Àdó là Ogiso Otolu Apaara, was a Yoruba monarch. He ruled the Akure Kingdom from 1834 until 1846.
Odundun I, otherwise known as Ọ̀dúndún asòdedẹ̀rọ̀ was a Yoruba monarch. He ruled the Akure Kingdom from 1882 until 1890.
Adesida I was a Nigerian monarch. He ruled the Akure Kingdom from June 22, 1897 until 1957.
Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, is a Nigerian monarch. He is the 47th and current traditional ruler of Akure Kingdom, a traditional state in Akure, the Ondo State capital. He was proclaimed Deji of Akure in 2015, taking the regnal name Odundun II and succeeding the deceased Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida.
Fabunmi of Okemesi born Prince Fábùnmi Ìṣọ̀lá, also known as Orara l'ada, was a Yoruba warlord, chief and ultimately king. He was known to have singlehandedly triggered the longest civil war in Nigeria - the Kiriji War.
Osemwende, originally known as Prince Eredia-uwa, was the thirty-third Oba of Benin who reigned from c. 1816 AD – c. 1848 AD. He was the son of Oba Obanosa and the brother of Ogbebo, whom he defeated in a civil war to claim the throne. He restored peace and stability to the kingdom after a turbulent period of succession crisis and expanded and consolidated his empire through military conquests and diplomatic alliances. He also promoted trade and commerce with foreign nations, especially the Portuguese, and fostered art and learning among his people. He was revered as a wise and benevolent ruler who brought good tidings to his kingdom.
A Short History of Benin is a non-fiction book by Jacob Egharevba, first published in 1934 by the Church Mission Society Press in Lagos. The book offers a historical perspective on the Benin Empire, a pre-colonial African state now part of Nigeria. The book is an English version of the author's earlier work in Edo, Ekhere Vb' Itan Edo, which was published in 1933. The book explores the beginnings, culture, and political structure of the Benin Empire, as well as the events leading to its British invasion and Ovonramwen's exile in 1897. It also includes a chronology of the Obas (kings) of Benin from the 13th to the 20th century.
↑ Akintoye 1969, pp.539–553 [544], "It seems possible that in the distant past, before the rise of Benin as a great kingdom, dynastic relationship between Akure and Benin resulted from their contacts.".
1 2 Ogbeide 2018, p.179, "With the success of the campaign, the Ekitis renewed their 'allegiance to the Oba of Benin and the payment of tribute was maintained until the British occupation in 1897.' There is evidence that the Deji of Akure played a crucial role for the Oba of Benin, in enforcing the payment of the tribute.".
↑ Adegbulu 2010, p.90, "Relations between Benin and Akure seem to have ebbed during the reign of Arakale (1769–1818) when a Benin ambassador called Osague was killed in Akure.".
↑ Akintoye 1969, p.552, "At Akure, a chief (Chief Osagwe) sent to chastise the people for installing a Deji without first seeking the sanction of the Qba of Benin, was murdered...".
↑ Akintoye 1969, p.552, "About the same time, an assault on a Benin trader named Ogonto in the Akure market led to violent disturbances in which a number of Edos were killed.".
↑ Akintoye 1969, p.552, "At Igbara-Odo, an incident similar to the latter occurred, leading to the murder of many Edos and the burning of their belongings.".
↑ Akintoye 1969, p.552, "These incidents led to the Benin invasions of the early nineteenth century in which guns were massively used.".
↑ Ogbeide 2018, p.178, "The Benin army was led by three top war commanders namely, the Ezomo, the Ologbosere and the Imaran, and two other Front Commanders – Imadiyi and Oyodo.".
↑ McCall & Bay 1975, p.176, "According to tradition, the ukhurhe was first used during the time of Ezomo (the highest ranking chief)".
↑ Rotimi 2017, p.420, "Ologbosere is one of the most powerful and influential chiefs in Ovonramwen Nogbaisi's cabinet".
↑ Ogbeide 2018, p.178, "Somehow, the war also turned out to be a punitive expedition to deal with the Deji of Akure who not only revolted against the Oba, but ordered the murder of chief Osague ...".
↑ Ogbeide 2018, p.200, "As Egharevba writes, the Ezomo went by way of Okearo, the Ologbosere by Okelisa and the Imaran by Isikan and Isinkin.".
↑ Akintoye 1969, p.552, "At Akure, the Deji was captured and beheaded and his son Osupa taken in captivity to Benin.".
↑ Ogbeide 2018, p.178, "The Benin soldiers successfully suppressed the Akure revolt.".
↑ Ogbeide 2018, p.132, "Slaves were among the tribute paid to the Oba of Benin.".
↑ Ogbeide 2018, p.27, "Benin a more vigorous state, and placed in the position of subduing her neighbours. The purchase of firearms initially depended on exchange for slaves, cloth and ivory.".
↑ Adegbulu 2010, pp.88, "Thus, at the inception of Akure as a vassal community, Benin elements were already trading in the area. ".
↑ Adegbulu 2010, pp.93, "Benin had had to suppress acts of rebellion from her vassals-Owo, Akure, Ipele, Ise, etc, on grounds of tribute payment, which Benin reacted to militarily.".
↑ Ogbeide 2018, p.179, "They were considered to have died in active service. Their success in the Akure War, however, was due to the support of additional contingents of soldiers and logistics from the Ikerres in eastern Yorubaland, and from Irrua – an Esan chiefdom.".
Adepegba, Cornelius O. (1986). "The Descent from Oduduwa: Claims of Superiority among Some Yoruba Traditional Rulers and the Arts of Ancient Ife". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 19 (1). Boston University African Studies Center: 77–92. doi:10.2307/218696. JSTOR218696.
Adeniran, Biodun (1991). Pleasant Imperialism: Conjectures on Benin Hegemony in Eastern Yorubaland. African Notes.
Usuanlele, Uyilawa; Falola, Toyin (1994). "The Scholarship of Jacob Egharevba of Benin". History in Africa. 21. Cambridge University Press: 303–318. doi:10.2307/3171890. JSTOR3171890. S2CID161203337.
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