Benin Kingdom which is today known as Edo state with it’s capital situated in Benin city, was one of the most powerful kingdom in Africa.
Here are facts you should know about Benin Kingdom.
1. The Oldest Surviving Kingdom in the World is Great Benin Kingdom and is over 2054 years Old.
2.The Ogiso dynasty lasted for about 854 years plus an interregnum of 285 years between the reign of Ogiso Orire and Ogiso Odia,there was an interregnum of 70 years between Ogiso Owodo and Oba Oranmiyan plus 845 years of Oba ruler-ship till date.
3.Oba Orhogbua founded Lagos and planted a dukedom, the Obaship of Lagos (Eko).
4.Oba Orhogbua introduced the common salt from his numerous voyage to Benin Cuisine in replacement of our traditional organic salt (Obu).
5.The First Storey Building in Nigeria was built at Ughoton by the Dutch in the year 1718 and it was called “The Factory”. The said building was destroyed by the British during the war against the Benins in 1897. The site of the building is still intact.
6. The Oldest Church in West Africa was established in Great Benin Empire by the Earliest Portuguese missionaries in the 16th Century. It is today known as the Holy Aruosa (Benin National Church)…Pope Pius XII visited Benin and handed the church to the Oba of Benin, Oba Oreoghene in 1692AD.
7. The first Known Embassy Established in Nigeria was in Benin during the reign of Oba Esigie in the 16th century.
8. The Oldest known letter written in Nigeria was by Duarte Pires instructed by Oba Esigie which was addressed to King John II, on the 20th of October, 1516AD.
9. The second oldest letter was written by Anthonio Domingo (Great-grand Son of Oba Olua) to the Pope to seek missionary assistance in other to spread Christianity in Benin Empire in 1652AD.
10. Oba Orhogbua is the first Sailor king in the present day, West Africa.
11.They are five fighting Empire building Obas of Benin, Oba Ewuare I, Oba Ozolua, Oba Esigie, Oba Orhogbua and Oba Ehengbuda N’Obo.Oba Ehengbuda was the last Oba of Benin to lead the Benin armies physically in battle.
12.The last Ogiso palace was located in the present day Ring-Road where the National museum is sited and it was called “Ogbe Ogiso”
13.Oldest ever recorded market in Africa is Ogiso (Agbado) Market dated 60BCE.
14.. Ekpeye, Ogba and Iwurhuohna people of River State are children of Akalaka a Benin warrior that migrated from Benin to found their present location during Oba Ewuare I reign.
15.Onitcha town was founded by Benin royal house who migrated during Oba Esigie reign.
