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QUEEN IDIA OF BENIN KINGDOM BY KINDNESS AMABLE EVBOBUN OSAYAMWEN
Kindness Osayamwen
Created on April 20, 2023
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Transcript
QUEEN IDIA! (Iyeoba Idia)
1st Queen in Africa to fight in a war in the 15th century.
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Index
Why I choose her? + What's my connection with her?
Who is Queen Idia?
How did she got recognised?
Key People
Key People
Timeline 1
King Ozolua
Key People
Key Moments
Key Artefcats
King Esigie
Legacy
Results
Impact
Sources
Evaluation 2
Evaluation 1
WHO IS QUEEN IDIA?
Queen Idia was the 1st woman in Africa that went to fight in a war in the 15th century. She was born in the 15th century but there is no precise date of her birth. Her place of birth is Uzeghudu (now Edo State). She was married to the Oba(King) Ozolua who died in 1520, Benin. She had a son with Oba Ozolua named Esigie, who became king after the death of his father. She was the first queen named Iyoba (mother of the oba (king).
Why I choose her? What's my connection with her?
I choose Queen Idia because I knew a few things about her and I wanted to know her achievements and what she did to become a very recognisable woman in Africa. I feel connected to her because my parents were also born and raised in Benin City, Edo; which makes her important to our lives and community because in our culture we highly respect our ancestors. Thanks to her achievements and effort, the Benin Kingdom still exists at present time.
How did she got recognised?
Queen Idia had married Oba Ozolua sometime before 1504.Her husband had two wives (due to tradition) -Ohonmin(1st wife) -Idia(2nd wife) Ohonmin and Idia gave birth on the same day. Arhuaran the son of Ohonmin was born first, and a few hours later Esigie was born. Arhuara did not immediately cry at birth, but Esigie did! So, Esigie was reported first to be king of the Benin Kingdom. By the time Arhuaran cried, the king had completed a declaration that Esigie was the first son. (According to the tradition). Arhuran grew up knowing the true story of his birth, and the mother Ohonim didn't take it likely. Arhuaran wanted to take his rightful place by force. Esigie controlled Benin City and Arhuaran controlled Udo. Arhuran tried to make Udo the capital of the Benin Kingdom and make himself king. But Esigie did not agree and got angry. The 2 brothers went to war. Idia supported her son, Esigie in the war to defeat his brother. She led the army into war. She was then nicknamed the "only woman to go to war". During this time it was unusual for women to go to war. However, Idia went against the law, she was a fearless army general. Thanks to his mother Idia, Esigie eventually defeated his brother and became King.
Key People
- King Ozolua
- King Esigie
king ozoluA
- He was the husband of Queen Idia.
- He was the Oba of the Benin Kingdom from 1483 until 1514.
- He was the first Benin King to have expanded contact with Portugal, they supported the Benin Empire by giving them weapons for war.
- He was son of one of the greatest and susccesful king in Benin (King Ewuare).
- It is believed that Oba Ozolua won 200 battles.
- He died from natural causes but it is also thought that he died in a war in 1520.
KING ESIGIE
- King Esigie was the first son of Queen Idia.
- He also was the first king of the Benin Kingdom to speak the portuguese language.
- His mother mentored him while he was reigning before she died.
- He was the first king to proclaim the term Iyoba.
- He created the position Iyoba (which means mother of the king) to honor his mother for the good working she has done.
- He removed one of the traditional law. The law of killing Queen mothers.
The Benin Ivory Mask
The Benin Ivory Mask is a small sculpture made with ivory in potrait of Queen Idia. This masks were stolen by the British from the palace of the Oba of Benin in 1897. This masks are kept at the British Museum in London and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
FESTAC' 77
Festac '77, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture.It was a major festival in Lagos, Nigeria, from 15 January 1977 to 12 February 1977. This event contains and showcase the world African music, art, literature, drama, religion and dance. The official emblem of the festival was a replica crafted by Erhabor Emokpae of the royal ivory mask of Benin.
Results
- Securing the title of Oba of her fist son Esigie.
IMPACT
She played an important role in the rise and reign of her son, who is described as a great warrior who fought non-stop before and during her son's reign as the Oba (king) of the Edo(Benin) people. She placed The Iyoba position for women in the kingdom who also play an important role in the wellbeing of the kingdom. A woman who led a lot of armies into battle.
LEGACY
Her legacy will remain till the end of the Benin Kingdom. However, the most lasting legacy was her contribution tot the cultural and artisitic heritage of the Benin Kingdom. Her position as the first Iyoba is also well-respected.
EVALUATION
The challenges I faced was finding specific topic and information about her because there was not enough sources or information I could find about her life; due to, the British colonisation in the Benin Kingdom.
The most positive things I have experienced while working on this CBA were researching ideas and information about Queen Idia's life because I was very intrigued on knowing more about her and learning how to research about a historical figure.
The most interesting piece of information I learned about my chosen topic was about 'The rivalry' between Queen Idia's son and the first son of King Ozolua's first Wife (Arhuaran). And also how she fought for him while being disguised.
The things I learned about the role of being historian while doing this CBA was the importance of checking sources and many important details. I also learned that not all things I find on sources are real.
SOURCES
- I used websites like:
https://icogana.org/history-of-queen-idia/#:~:text=Queen%20Idia%20was%20the%201st,Benin%20on%20several%20successful%20battles.
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pwmn_3/hd_pwmn_3.htm
- I used videos/social media:
TIKTOK PAGE (Edo Supremacy) (Edo Ultimate)