Unuamen, Nigeria
Unuamen | |
---|---|
Unuame | |
Location | Ovia North-East, Edo State, Nigeria |
Nearest city | Benin City |
Coordinates | 6°24′36″N 5°26′30″E / 6.41000°N 5.44167°E |
Unuamen
Unuame and the sub-camps within the domain it covers is strategically along the swampy terrains on the east bank of the Ovia/Osse river.[12] In other words, the community is naturally bounded in the west by the Ovia/Osse river,[13] the largest river in the Kingdom of Benin,[14] and most of its economic activities revolve around it. The Ovia/Osse river flows through Unuame in the south-westerly direction to Ite, Ikoro, Gelegele[15] and the Ughoton (Gwato) creeks; into the Benin River,[16] which empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the Bight of Benin.[17][18]
Background
The exact time of arrival of the people of Unuame to its land is not precisely known. But oral narration and different books by
Traditional head
The traditional head of Unuame is the "Okao of unuame",[24][25] a recognised chieftaincy title[26] and viceroy to the Benin Monarch.[6] Since the reign of Oba Ewuare (I) (1440-1473), Unuamen has Okao as the village/traditional head overseeing and administering affairs. Okao of Unuamen is hereditary and gazetted.[25]
Economy
The main occupation of the people of Unuame includes
Unuame, like most communities in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, is highly affected by urban migration as young and educated sons and daughter migrate to larger cities and abroad for more lucrative job opportunities.[29] One of the festivals celebrated in Unuame is Ovia festival,[30] a very colourful and crowd-pulling festival.[14] Ovia festival and other celebrations throughout the year could provide occupation for many locals, such as in cultural dances, catering and costume making. The village is mainly accessed from the capital city (Benin) by road. However, the people also use the boat and canoe to transport themselves from one end of the Ovia/Osse river to the other while selling their goods, and during their fishing escapade.[28]
Historical Events in Unuamen Surrounding Different Obas
Since time immemorial, Unuame has been at the centre of most historical events surrounding Obas, such as Oranmiyan (1170), Oguola, Orobiru, Ewuare, Ozolua and Esigie, among others, in the Kingdom. Perhaps, due to Unuame's location as the entry and exit point of the then Benin Empire.[23]
Events in Unuame Relating to Oranmiyan (1170 A.D.)
Oranmiyan about 1170 A.D.
Oranmiyan arrived Unuame from Ife via the western route, which was the "Uhe-Ayere-Ikare-Ogho-lfon-Usen-Unuame-Ego-Benin" route, on his way to Benin.[32] Supporting this claim, Wesler and Allsworth-Jones (1998)[23] pointed out that river Ovia between Benin and Udo at Unuame,[12] was the point of entry for the Ife-based dynasty at Benin. Oranmiyan descended from a canoe at Unuame where he first had his legs on Benin land at a location known as "Eghute-Oba" (Oba's sea/river-shore) by the Ovia River. He was lodged at "Aro-Oleku" for a period before leaving Unuame for Benin through Ego. Although, it is uncleared how long Oranmiyan stayed at Unuame before continuing to Benin through Ego.[4]
Events in Unuame Relating to Oba Oguola (1280-1295)
During the reign of Oba Oguola (1280-1295), her daughter (Uvbi) made a stop at Unuame on her way to her betrothed husband Akpanigiakon in Udo.[19] However, the princess did not like the idea of the marriage. Hence, she stayed briefly at Unuame where she was sheltered and protected by the elders before returning to Benin City.[34] Uvbi's refusal to marry Akpanigiakon and her decision to return to Benin from Unuame prompted the war menace from Akpanigiakon which ended when Oba Oguola defeated him at the battle of Urhezen (Urhoezien).[35][36]
Events in Unuame Relating to Oba Orobiru (1400-1432)
In the reign of Oba Orobiru (1400-1432), elders welcomed and supported Prince Ogun (Ewuare I) when he arrived Unuame to cross the Ovia river and exit Benin.[4] While at Unuame, Prince Ogun stayed a while before crossing the Ovia river to many different places, including Usen. Omoregie (1972)[4] reiterated what Oba Orobiru said to his brother Prince Ogun on a quote: "Prince Ogun! I have ordered my guards to take you to Unuame on the Ovia River. You will cross that river, and if you return to my Kingdom during my lifetime, you will be killed".
Events in Unuame Relating to Oba Ewuare (I) (1440-1473)
Oba Ewuare (1440-1473) the great, founder of the Benin Empire, made several visits to Unuame during his reign. During one of his tours (Ólogha) to Unuamen, he created the Okao title (also known as Traditional/District Head) as he launched Benin into the era of the warrior kings.[35][37] In an effort to prevent the Empire from invasions through the Ovia River, Oba Ewuare (I) installed the Okao of Unuamen (traditional head), the first Okao on Benin land (Pers. Comm.). Oba Ewuare's (I) decision to install the first Okao in Unuame may have risen from three factors. First, Unuame was part of the ancient Benin-western route.[32][38] Second, the Unuame river was the boundary/final frontier for people leaving or entering Benin land.[23][3][22][39] Third, the hospitality Ewuare got when sent as a Prince to Unuame by his brother Oba Orobiru (1400-1432) while exiting Benin land could have also influenced his decision to install the first Okao in Unuame.[4]
It can be recalled how passionate Ewuare was about Unuame, among other villages, as he occasionally refers to it in some of his famous adages. According to a lecture (the legacies of Oba Ewuare the Great) delivered by High Priest Osemwengie Ebohon in 2016, an old and ailing Oba Ewuare (I) ones told the Binis ostentatiously, on a quote: "Igbevb' Etete, Igbevb' Unuamen; Ovbokhan I y' ugieyonyonmwen".[40] Meaning, "I danced in festivals at Etete village, I danced in festivals at Unuame village; No child can deride me with festivals".
Events in Unuame Relating to Oba Ozolua (1480-1514)
Oba Ozolua (1480-1514) was a conqueror who also frequented Unuame during his reign to make vows before the Ovia of Unuame and offer sacrifices to it in order to have a peaceful reign in Benin.[41] According to Jungwirth (1968),[42] “when he got to Ovia N’Unuame he declared again if he returned safely from Ora he would offer a sacrifice with a ram, four feathers from a parrot, chalk and some cowries”.
Events in Unuame Relating to Queen Idia and The Fierce Battle Between Esigie (1504-1550) and Arhuanran
Okao N’Unuame (
According to Egharevba (1968: 26),
Before gathering the Benin army at Unuame to engage Udo, Queen Idia went to Unuame to vow to Ovia N'unuame (Unuame Ovia shrine)[49] on behalf of Esigie so that he would emerge victorious over Arhuanran. While at Unuame, Queen Idia informed the Okao N’Unuame and elders of her mission and Esigie's pledge. Esigie had vowed to participate in the Ovia festival at Unuame and present the Okao N’Unuamen with the "Ada" (sword of state – authority) and "Eben" (ceremonial sword – power) if he defeats Arhuanran and Udo.
Prior to the defeat, the two half-brothers (
Oba Esigie At the Unuame Ovia Festival (Ehor-Ovia)
Further,
Before and since Ovia N'Unuame (Unuame Ovia) helped
Unuamen Artifacts and Historical Reserve
Unuamen, a surrounding neighbourhood of
In 2017, the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora; Hon Osazee Osemwengie-Ero, visited the historical locations in Unuame on behalf of the State Governor,
The Unuame Government proposed Tourism Centre known as "UNUAMEN HISTORICAL RESERVE"
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