Kingdom of Warri

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The Kingdom of Warri, Warri Kingdom or Iwere Kingdom, (Itsekiri: Oye Iwere) was established in 1480, was part of the Nigerian traditional states its ancestral capital is based in Ode-Itsekiri, Warri South LGA, Delta State, Nigeria [1] with a palace erected in 1950s in the heart of the city of Warri, Warri South LGA, Delta State, Nigeria.

Contents

Sigil Of the Olu of Warri kingdom.jpg

The current Olu of Warri is Ogiame Atuwatse III, who was crowned on 21 August 2021. [2]

History

According to Bini and Itsekiri histories, Olu Ginuwa, a prince of Benin Kingdom founded the Warri kingdom about 1480. In the 15th century, it was visited by Portuguese missionaries. [3] At the beginning of the 17th century, a son of the reigning Olu was sent to Portugal and returned with a Portuguese wife. [3] Their son Antonio Domingo was Olu of Warri in the 1640s. [4] Olu Erejuwa, who reigned from about 1760 to 1800, expanded the kingdom politically and commercially, using the Portuguese to further its control of tributaries in river trade and to establish control over a wider area. [5]

Later, Warri served as the base for Portuguese and Dutch slave traders. Warri became a more important port city during the late 19th century, [6] when it became a centre for the palm oil trade and other major items such as rubber, palm products, cocoa, groundnuts, hides, and skins. [7] Warri was established as a provincial headquarters by the British in the early 20th century. [8]

The Size Of The Kingdom Of Warri

Warri Kingdom size Kingdoms of Ife.jpg
Warri Kingdom size

In the work of Jean-François Landolphe published from his diary described the size of Warri Kingdom “The sovereign of this state owns not only both banks of the Benin river but also all the rivers of these parts as far as the tributaries of the Calabar or are near to it." [9]

Military

In 1656, the equipment of the Warri military was dominated by arrows and javelins with the use of few muskets. [10] By the following century, Warri forces became accustomed to firearms. [11] In the late 18th century, the naval vessels of Warri were equipped with simple sails and primary sources documented that such vessels could carry some personnel of about 100. According to historian Thornton, the Warri navy was unfamiliar with tacking. Shields were built onto the vessels to provide protection for the personnel. [12] Warri vessels may have utilized artillery. Jean-François Landolphe provided a description of the King's canoes in the early 19th century which he mentions to have mounted 7 blunderbusses arranged in series on a swivel. As a result, these guns could fire simultaneously and Landolphe states they were rarely used. [13]

Warri Crisis

This section is an excerpt from Warri Crisis.[ edit ]

The Warri Crisis was a series of conflicts in Delta State, Nigeria between 1997 and 2003 between the Itsekiri, the Ijaw ethnic groups. [14] Over 200,000 people were displaced by the Warri conflict between 1999 and 2006. Over 700,000 people were displaced during this period by violence in Delta State overall. [15] [16]

The conflict broke out following a government decision that changed the location of the Warri South West Local Government Council (LGA) to the Itsekeri community of Ogidigben from the Ijaw town of Ogbe Ijoh. [17] [18] The Council headquarters was eventually returned to Ogbe Ijoh, which restored a fragile peace in 2005. [19]

The Warri Crisis is part of a broader conflict over oil in the Niger Delta. [19] Human Rights Watch determined that "although the violence has both ethnic and political dimensions, it is essentially a fight over the oil money." [20] Ongoing armed conflict in the Niger Delta region, and the appearance of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in 2005 are continued expressions of these tensions. [15]

Scholars have warned that the conflict is complex and not amenable to "quick fixes". [21]

Kings of Warri Kingdom, 1480 to present

The Kingdom of Warri has remained predominantly Christian since the coronation of its first Christian King/Olu Atorongboye also known as King Sebastian I in 1570, within a century of the foundation of the Iwere Kingdom. Below is a list of the rulers of the Warri Kingdom from inception. Note that written records began with the coronation of Olu Atorongboye Sebastian I in 1570.

NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Ginuwa Unknown - 1510 (aged 30+)148015101st Olu. He was the eldest son of Oba Olua, the 14th Oba of Benin (r.1473–1480) and heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Benin until he migrated from Benin to Warri, where he was later crowned. Itsekiri Olu Ginuwa Sigil.jpg
Ijijen Ogbowuru Unknown - 1510 (aged 28+)151015382nd Olu. He succeeded his father. He was the first King to reach Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) as his father settled down at Ijala community which became the burial place for all future Olu's. Itsekiri Olu ijijen sigil.jpg
Irame Unknown - 1550 (aged 40+)153815503rd Olu. He succeeded his brother. It is stated that he banished the three gods (Ibirikimo, Otueke, and Ike) and their worshipers from Ode-Itsekiri-Olu (Big Warri) because of their incessant "noise-making". The gods and their worshipers moved to Orugbo which is a community about 3 km from Ode-Itsekiri-Olu. Itsekiri Olu Irame.jpg
Ojoluwa Unknown - 1570 (aged 20+)155015704th Olu. He succeeded his father. During his reign, he commenced the process of integration of the Ekpen's/Ekpenede, descendants of Okere with the local population in the kingdom. Itsekiri Olu Ojoluwa.jpg
Esigie Unknown - 1597 (aged 27+)157015975th Olu.He succeeded his father. Itsekiri Olu esigie.jpg
D. Sebastião Atorongboye Unknown - 1625 (aged 28+)159716256th Olu. He succeeded his father. He was born Prince Eyomasan. He was the first Catholic Olu, in fact every king after him until 1848 was so. He had a strong tie with King Philip II of Spain, who ruled Portugal at the time. This relation led to him sending his son to study in Coimbra, Portugal from 1600 to 1611. He and all future kings were awarded the title of Dom (D.). Itsekiri Olu Atonrongbeye.jpg
D. Domingos Atuwatse I Unknown - 1643 (aged 43+)162516437th Olu. He succeeded his father. He was initially home schooled by his father and the Bishop in Ode-Itsekiri, which resulted in him being able to read and write in Portuguese. He was later educated in Coimbra, Portugal from 1600 to 1611. He returned as a graduate, making him the first graduate in Sub Saharan Africa. Olu Dom Domingos was the first to marry a noble Portuguese lady, that came with him in 1611. Itsekiri Olu atuwatse I.jpg
D. Antonio Domingos Oyenakpagha Obanighenren Unknown - 1653 (aged 11+)164316548th Olu. He succeeded his father. On ascension to the throne he was named Obanighenren which translates to "Prince/King with the golden skin". He wrote a letter to Pope Clement X in 1652 which was delivered to the Pope successfully. He was educated at home and at an institute in Angola. Like his father, he married a Portuguese lady. Luso Itsekiri Olu oyenakpagha.jpg
D. Matias Ludovico Omoluyiri Unknown - 1674 (aged 31+)165416749th Olu. He succeeded his brother. Luso Itsekiri Olu omoluyiri.jpg
D. Luigi Abejoye Unknown - 1701 (aged 27+)1674170110th Olu. He succeeded his father. Luso Itsekiri Olu Abejoye.jpg
D. Sebastião II Akenjoye Unknown - 1709 (aged 8+)1701170911th Olu. He succeeded his father. As a prince he was known as Dom Ludivico Domingo. Itsekiri Olu Akenjoye.jpg
D. Miguel Omagboye Unknown - 1730 (aged 21+)1709173012th Olu. He succeeded his father. Itsekiri Olu Omagboye.jpg
D. Agostinho Sabastião Octobia Akengboye Unknown - 1732 (aged 4+)1730173413th Olu. He succeeded his father. Itsekiri Olu Akengboye.jpg
D. Manuel Octobia Atogbuwa Unknown - 1760 (aged 26+)1734176014th Olu. He succeeded his father. Itsekiri Olu Atogbuwa.jpg
D.Sebastião Manuel Octobia Erejuwa I Unknown - 1795 (aged 35+)1760179515th Olu. He succeeded his father. Itsekiri Olu Erejuwa I.jpg
D. Eyeolusan João Akengbuwa Unknown - 14 June 1848 (aged 53+)179514 June 184816th Olu. He succeeded his father. He was the last Catholic Olu. Itsekiri Olu Akengbuwa.jpg
Interregnum 14 June 1848 – 7 February 1936 (87 years)14 June 18487 February 1936After the death of Olu Dom Eyeolusan João Akengbuwa there was a dynastic crisis following the death of all the potential successors which was followed by a period of political Interregnum. His son Prince Oritsemone left Ode-Itsekiri during the period of the crisis to form the Usele Community. Queen Iye Idolorusan ruled the kingdom for a time in the nineteenth century, but seems to have never been formally designated a monarch. [22]
Ginuwa II Emiko Ikengbuwa Unknown - 1949 (aged 13+)7 February 19368 January 194917th Olu. He was a Nigerian traditional title holder and paramount leader of the Itsekiri. He was born Emiko Ikengbuwa. He succeeded his grandfather Olu Akengbuwa as Olu of Warri after an interregnum that lasted 88 years when Warri's political leadership was dominated by merchant princes. Itsekiri Olu of Warri Ginuwa II.jpg
Erejuwa II Wilson Ayoronmitsi Gbesimi Emiko c.1908 - 17 December 1986 (aged 77/78)24 March 195117 December 198618th Olu. He succeeded his father. He attended a CMS missionary school at Ogbesse, thereafter he did business with United African Company rising to become a provincial cooperatives president. As Olu of Warri, he was appointed regional Minister without portfolio and president of the Warri Divisional Traditional Council. Itsekiri Olu of Warri Erejuwa II.jpg
Olu Atuwatse II Godwin Toritseju Emiko c.1945 - 5 September 2015 (aged 70)2 May 19875 September 201519th Olu. He was born Godwin Toritseju Emiko. He succeeded his father. He was a lawyer by profession and was a recipient of the Commander of the Niger (CON) award from the Nigerian Government. Atuwatse II died in a hospital in Lagos in early September 2015, after suffering a domestic accident. He was 70 years old, and was preparing to fly abroad to receive intensive medical care before his condition worsened. Itsekiri Olu Atuwatse 2nd.jpg
Ikenwoli I Godfery Emiko 19 March 1955 – 21 December 2020 (aged 65)12 December 201521 December 202020th Olu. Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko born to Olu Erejuwa II and Olori Eyinagboluwade Emiko. He succeeded his elder brother and was married to Olori Mary Emiko. They had three children. Itsekiri Olu Ikenwoli I.jpg
Olu Atuwatse III 2 April 1984 - Present (aged 37)21 August 202121st Olu. Tsola Emiko born to Olu Atuwatse II and Olori Gladys Durorike Emiko on 2 April 1984. He succeeded his uncle and is married to Olori Ivie Emiko (née Okunbo). They have three children. Olu Atuwatse III.jpg

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The city of Warri is an oil hub within South-South Nigeria and houses an annex of the Delta State Government House. Warri City is one of the major hubs of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. Warri, Udu, Okpe and Uvwie are the commercial capital of Delta State with a population of over 311,970 people in 2006. The city is the indigenous territory of Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ijaw people</span> Nigerian ethnic group

The Ijaw people, otherwise known as the Ijo people, are an ethnic group found in the Niger Delta in Nigeria, with significant population clusters in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. They are also in Edo, Ondo, and small parts of Akwa Ibom., occupying six Nigerian states. Many are found as migrant fishermen in camps as far west as Sierra Leone, Ghana and as far east as Gabon. As of 2023, Nigeria's Ijaw population is estimated at approximately over 15 million, accounting for around 6.9% of the country's 223 million people, positioning them as the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The Ijaws are the most populous tribe inhabiting the Niger Delta region, and one of the world's most ancient peoples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Itsekiri people</span> Yoruboid subgroup of Delta State, Nigeria

The Itsekiri are an ethnic group who mainly inhabit Nigeria's Niger Delta area. They speak a Yoruboid language and can be found in Ondo, Edo and Delta State. The Itsekiris presently transcends a population of over 1 million people and live mainly in parts of Ondo, Edo and majorly in the Warri South, Warri North and Warri South West local government districts of Delta State on the Atlantic coast of Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koko, Delta</span> Town in Delta, Nigeria

Koko is the major town in and the headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, South South Nigeria. It is one of the major towns in the Niger Delta region.

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The Ogbe tribe of the Ijaw people lives along the creek that lie south of the city of Warri in Delta State, Nigeria. The settlements of Ogbe-Ijoh and Diobiri are considered Ogbe territory. Each town is autonomous; there is no central tribal authority. The town of Isaba is considered by some to be its own tribe; others see it as part of the Ogbe.

Warri South West is a Local Government Area in Delta State, Nigeria. It was created in 1996 and has its headquarters in Ogbe-Ijoh, an Ijaw community.

The Itsekiri language is a major branch of the Yoruboid group of languages, which as a group, is a key member of the Volta–Niger sub-family of the Niger–Congo family of African languages. Itsekiri is spoken by nearly 900,000 people in Nigeria as a first language and by many others as an additional language notably in the Niger Delta and in parts of Edo and Ondo states of Nigeria. The other key members of the Yoruboid group are Yoruba and Igala along with the various Yoruba dialects spoken in Benin and Togo.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olu Atorongboye</span> Nigerian traditional ruler

Olu Atorongboye (Olu Sebastian) was the sixth Olu of Warri who ruled over the Itsekiri and non Itsekiri people in the kingdom. He was the son to Olu Esigie and succeeded his father Olu Esigie as the 6th Olu of Warri. He was born Prince Eyomasan. Olu Atorongboye was the first Christian Olu to rule Warri Kingdom. He had a strong tie with the Portuguese King Philip in late 16th century, which led to him sending his son Olu Dom Domingos to study in Portugal from 1600 to 1611. He was succeeded by his son Olu Atuwatse I (Olu Dom Domingos)

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olu Atuwatse I</span> Nigerian traditional ruler

Olu Atuwatse I was the 7th Olu of Warri who ruled over the Warri Kingdom. He was the son to Olu Atorongboye and succeeded his father Olu Atorongboye as the 7th Olu of Warri. He was initially home-schooled by his father and the Bishop in Ode-Itsekiri, which resulted in his ability to read and write in Portuguese. He was educated in Portugal from 1600 to 1611. He returned to Warri Kingdom as a graduate, making him the first graduate in Sub Saharan Africa Olu Dom Domingos was the second Christian Olu to rule Warri Kingdom. He married a Portuguese noblewoman, Maria Pereira, before returning to Nigeria with her in 1611.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olu Atogbuwa</span> Nigerian traditional ruler

Olu Atogbuwa was the 14th Olu of Warri who ruled over the Kingdom of Warri. He succeeded his father, Olu Akengboye as the 14th Olu of Warri. He took the title, Ogiame Atogbuwa. His Portuguese name was Manuel Octobia. When he went to be with his fathers, he was succeeded by Olu Erejuwa I around 1760.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olu Akengbuwa</span> Nigerian traditional ruler

Olu Akengbuwa was the 16th Olu of Warri who ruled over the Kingdom of Warri. He succeeded his father Olu Erejuwa I as the 16th Olu of Warri. He took the title, Ogiame Akengbuwa. He was also called Eyeolusan Joao. When he went to be with his fathers, there was a period of crisis following the death to the potential successors which was followed by a period of political Interregnum. His son Prince Oritsemone left Ode-Itsekiri during the period of the crisis to form Usele Community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olu Ginuwa II</span> Nigerian traditional ruler

Olu Ginuwa II was a Nigerian traditional title holder and paramount leader of the Itsekiri who was Olu of Warri from 1936 to 1949. He was the 17th Olu of Warri Kingdom with the title Ogiame Ginuwa II. He was born Emiko Ikengbuwa. He succeeded his grandfather Olu Akengbuwa as Olu of Warri after an interregnum that lasted 88 years when Warri's political leadership was dominated by merchant princes. Atsibutsere Skinn, son of Princess Agbeje Ikengbuwa, presided over the selection and installation of Ogiame Ginuwa II in 1936 as head of the royal family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olu Atuwatse II</span> Nigerian traditional ruler

Olu Atuwatse II was a Nigerian traditional title holder and paramount leader of the Itsekiri who was Olu of Warri from 1987 to 2015. He was the 19th Olu of Warri Kingdom with the title Ogiame Atuwatse II. He was born Godwin Toritseju Emiko. He succeeded his father Erejuwa II as the Olu of Warri. He was a lawyer by profession and was a recipient of the Commander of the Niger (CON) award from the Nigerian Government. He died in 2015 and was succeeded by his brother Ikenwoli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogiame Atuwatse III</span> Nigerian traditional ruler (born 1984)

Ogiame Atuwatse III is a Nigerian traditional king of the Kingdom of Warri in the Delta State. He was born Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, also known as Tsola Emiko, on April 2, 1984 to Olu Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri, and Gladys Durorike Emiko. He is also a descendant of Olu Akengbuwa.

Ureju Community is an indigenous Itsekiri rural community in the Warri Kingdom. Ureju Community is one of the aboriginal five communities that make up the Warri Kingdom before the coming of Olu Ginuwa I alongside other Itsekiri communities like Ugborodo, Ode-Itsekiri (Okotomu-Irigbo), Inorin and Omadino. It is located in the Benin River axis of Warri North Local Government Area of present-day Delta State, Nigeria. Ureju Community has two main families - Olero and Kokolo.

Olori Atuwatse III, is the Queen of the Warri Kingdom, a lawyer, social entrepreneur and wife of Ogiame Atuwatse III, current ruler of the Kingdom of Warri, and the 21st Olu of Warri. She is also the daughter of Nigerian business magnate, investor and philanthropist Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo. After his coronation in August 2021, the Olu of Warri bestowed a new title on his wife, calling her Olori Atuwatse III, now her official title.

Omadino Community is an indigenous Itsekiri urban community in Warri Kingdom. The people of Omadino are the descendants of Nenuwa, the legendary ancestor and founder of the Omadino community who migrated with his followers from Ode in the Ijebu kingdom following their unsuccessful bid for the throne of the Ijebu kingdom. Omadino Community is one of the oldest communities in the Warri Kingdom having existed before the formation of the Warri Kingdom in 1480. Omadino Community is one of the biggest communities in the Warri Kingdom as it falls under Warri South with extensions to Warri North and Warri South-West. It is located in Warri South Local Government Area of present-day Delta State, Nigeria.

Warri State is a proposed state intended to be formed for the Itsekiri people, who inhabit the regions of Warri South, Warri South West, Warri North, and itsekiri parts of Edo State in Nigeria. The movement for the creation of Warri State stems from concerns regarding the marginalization of the Itsekiri people by the Delta State Government and the pursuit of lasting peace in the Niger Delta region. The Itsekiri people demand that the proposed state be geographically located in the South West region of Nigeria, citing their shared common ancestry with the Yoruba and their shared borders with the Yoruba people of Ondo State.

References

  1. ↑ Royal, David O. (20 August 2022). "Eminent Nigerians, monarchs, storm Odi-Itsekiri for Olu of Warri". Vanguard News. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "All hail Olu of Warri, Atuwatse III". Vanguard News. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Warri Kingdom, according to history dating back 541 years". Punch Newspapers. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  4. ↑ J.O.S Ayomike. "Edo people's renaissance". Edo Nation. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  5. ↑ Gab Ejuwa (26 April 2009). "Olu of Warri Coronation – Focus On Itsekiri Cultural Heritage". Vanguard. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  6. ↑ Harriman-Ayida, Allegra Otsaye (2018). Kingdom in the Creeks (Thesis). Wesleyan University. doi:10.14418/wes01.1.1865.
  7. ↑ http://www.greatestcities.com/Africa/Nigeria/Warri_city.html Retrieved 13 January 2008
  8. ↑ Ekeh, Peter Palmer (2005). Warri City and British Colonial Rule in Western Niger Delta. Urhobo Historical Society. p. 31. ISBN   978-064-924-7.
  9. ↑ Landolphe, Jean Francois, 1747-, and Jaques Salbigoton Quesne. Memoires Du Capitaine Landolpe, Contenant L'histoire De Ses Voyages Pendant Trente-six Ans, Aux Cotes D'Afrique Et Aux Deux Ameriques. Paris: A. Bertrand [etc.], 1823.
  10. ↑ Thornton (1999) , p. 81
  11. ↑ Thornton (1999) , p. 82
  12. ↑ Thornton (1999) , p. 83
  13. ↑ Smith, Robert Sydney (1989). Warfare & Diplomacy in Pre-colonial West Africa. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 84. ISBN   9780299123345.
  14. ↑ Nigeria: INC Wants Lasting Solution to Warri Crisis. By Sola Adebayo, 5 February 2003, Vanguard (Lagos).
  15. 1 2 Leton, Marcus (2006). "Oil And The Urban Question - Fuelling Violence and Politics in Warri" (PDF). Niger Delta Economies of Violence Working Papers (8). Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  16. ↑ “Violence left 3 million bereft in past seven years Nigeria reports”, New York Times, March 14th 2006, p.A6
  17. ↑ "How Warri North crisis started - Egbema chiefs". Vanguard News. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "Warri Crisis: Causes and Impact on the Oil Industry in the Niger Delta". EBSU Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 11 (1). 2021.
  19. 1 2 "Nigeria" (PDF). Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  20. ↑ Editorial Introduction: The Warri Crisis,the Niger Delta, and the Nigerian State, Meredeth Turshen. ACAS Bulletin, No. 68, Fall 2004.
  21. ↑ Falode; Egunjobi (2022). "Investigating and Addressing Oil Related Conflicts in Niger Delta: A Case Study of Warri" (PDF). International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 6 (7).
  22. ↑ Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; Professor Emmanuel Akyeampong; Mr. Steven J. Niven (2 February 2012). Dictionary of African Biography. OUP USA. pp. 1–. ISBN   978-0-19-538207-5.

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