No General Descriptions provided.
| 31 N |
| Igodomingodo | |
| Igodomigodo |
| Ugbeku | |
| Uhunmwidunmwun | |
| Benin City |
| Ugodomigodo | |
| Ubini |
| Benin Empire |
| Succeeding: Benin Empire (ni_benin_emp) [continuity] |
| Year Range | Igodomingodo (ni_igodomingodo) was in: |
|---|
“At that time the country was known as Igodomingodo. (Egharevba 1953:4)” [1] Name sometimes rendered in English as Igodo monarchy or Igodo dynasty. “The first dynasty in Benin has been referred to as the Igobo monarchy and was apparently founded in c. 942-969. For more details about the Igodo dynasty refer to Egharevba (1960, 1-5) and Egharevba (1965) (also appearing with twelve other publications by the same author in a Kraus Reprint, Nendeln, 1973).” [2]
[1]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 146. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[2]: Sargent, R. A. (1986). From A Redistribution to an Imperial Social Formation: Benin c.1293-1536. Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue Canadienne Des Études Africaines, 20(3), 402–427: 422. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/AUEZSTBR/collection
“At that time the country was known as Igodomingodo. (Egharevba 1953:4)” [1] Name sometimes rendered in English as Igodo monarchy or Igodo dynasty. “The first dynasty in Benin has been referred to as the Igobo monarchy and was apparently founded in c. 942-969. For more details about the Igodo dynasty refer to Egharevba (1960, 1-5) and Egharevba (1965) (also appearing with twelve other publications by the same author in a Kraus Reprint, Nendeln, 1973).” [2]
[1]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 146. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[2]: Sargent, R. A. (1986). From A Redistribution to an Imperial Social Formation: Benin c.1293-1536. Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue Canadienne Des Études Africaines, 20(3), 402–427: 422. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/AUEZSTBR/collection
“At a particular time, for instance, in the early history of Benin, the territory was also known as Igodomigodo. The origin of the name Igodomigodo is well known in Benin traditions. During the first millennium when the institution of monarchy - the Ogiso dynasty - was established in Benin, the first king, Ogiso Igodo, called the numerous village communities which were joined together in a political union under him as Igodomigodo. His village at Ugbeku was the capital where he built the royal palace.” [1] If the interregnum period is considered part of this polity rather than the next: “Evian and Ogiamwen were among the retinue of Ogiefa, the supreme ruler of all the Efa. The spheres of their competence overlapped with those of the Edionevbo, the all-Benin City chiefs, Evian and Ogiamwen belonged to the dynasty of Efa chiefs whose authority stretched over the wards of the city inhabited by their tribesmen. Quite evidently, these were the wards whose dwellers now argue that their ancestors had not come to Benin from anywhere, but lived there "from the beginning" (Bradbury 1957:19; Igbafe 1974:2). It is also easy to imagine what tension could exist between the two "city halls" and how much each of them wished to monopolize power over the entire city. Of course, the fall of the Ogiso dynasty was a defeat not only of its last representative Owodo, but of the Edionevbo. No doubt the "king- makers" had nothing against their further influencing the course of events not only in the capital but in the whole country through weak rulers, like the majority of the Ogiso seem to have been. His successor, Ogiso Ere “is reputed to have transferred the Ogiso palace to Uhunmwidunmwun, which was a more favourable seat of government for the dynasty than Ugbeku.”” [2]
[1]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 52. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
[2]: Bondarenko, D. M. (2003). Advent of the Second (Oba) Dynasty: Another Assessment of a Benin History Key Point. History in Africa, 30, 63–85; 78. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/CESQP6DT/collection
“At a particular time, for instance, in the early history of Benin, the territory was also known as Igodomigodo. The origin of the name Igodomigodo is well known in Benin traditions. During the first millennium when the institution of monarchy - the Ogiso dynasty - was established in Benin, the first king, Ogiso Igodo, called the numerous village communities which were joined together in a political union under him as Igodomigodo. His village at Ugbeku was the capital where he built the royal palace.” [1] If the interregnum period is considered part of this polity rather than the next: “Evian and Ogiamwen were among the retinue of Ogiefa, the supreme ruler of all the Efa. The spheres of their competence overlapped with those of the Edionevbo, the all-Benin City chiefs, Evian and Ogiamwen belonged to the dynasty of Efa chiefs whose authority stretched over the wards of the city inhabited by their tribesmen. Quite evidently, these were the wards whose dwellers now argue that their ancestors had not come to Benin from anywhere, but lived there "from the beginning" (Bradbury 1957:19; Igbafe 1974:2). It is also easy to imagine what tension could exist between the two "city halls" and how much each of them wished to monopolize power over the entire city. Of course, the fall of the Ogiso dynasty was a defeat not only of its last representative Owodo, but of the Edionevbo. No doubt the "king- makers" had nothing against their further influencing the course of events not only in the capital but in the whole country through weak rulers, like the majority of the Ogiso seem to have been. His successor, Ogiso Ere “is reputed to have transferred the Ogiso palace to Uhunmwidunmwun, which was a more favourable seat of government for the dynasty than Ugbeku.”” [2]
[1]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 52. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
[2]: Bondarenko, D. M. (2003). Advent of the Second (Oba) Dynasty: Another Assessment of a Benin History Key Point. History in Africa, 30, 63–85; 78. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/CESQP6DT/collection
“At a particular time, for instance, in the early history of Benin, the territory was also known as Igodomigodo. The origin of the name Igodomigodo is well known in Benin traditions. During the first millennium when the institution of monarchy - the Ogiso dynasty - was established in Benin, the first king, Ogiso Igodo, called the numerous village communities which were joined together in a political union under him as Igodomigodo. His village at Ugbeku was the capital where he built the royal palace.” [1] If the interregnum period is considered part of this polity rather than the next: “Evian and Ogiamwen were among the retinue of Ogiefa, the supreme ruler of all the Efa. The spheres of their competence overlapped with those of the Edionevbo, the all-Benin City chiefs, Evian and Ogiamwen belonged to the dynasty of Efa chiefs whose authority stretched over the wards of the city inhabited by their tribesmen. Quite evidently, these were the wards whose dwellers now argue that their ancestors had not come to Benin from anywhere, but lived there "from the beginning" (Bradbury 1957:19; Igbafe 1974:2). It is also easy to imagine what tension could exist between the two "city halls" and how much each of them wished to monopolize power over the entire city. Of course, the fall of the Ogiso dynasty was a defeat not only of its last representative Owodo, but of the Edionevbo. No doubt the "king- makers" had nothing against their further influencing the course of events not only in the capital but in the whole country through weak rulers, like the majority of the Ogiso seem to have been. His successor, Ogiso Ere “is reputed to have transferred the Ogiso palace to Uhunmwidunmwun, which was a more favourable seat of government for the dynasty than Ugbeku.”” [2]
[1]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 52. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
[2]: Bondarenko, D. M. (2003). Advent of the Second (Oba) Dynasty: Another Assessment of a Benin History Key Point. History in Africa, 30, 63–85; 78. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/CESQP6DT/collection
“At that time the country was known as Ugodomigodo. (Egharevba 1936:7)” [1] “Igodomigodo may not be ‘town of towns’ as claimed by Igbafe, but ‘the land of Igodo’ is a closely acceptable meaning. It is possible that the name Igodomigodo was to claim superiority over the other emerging communities, which was directly identified with the first ruler or founder. In any case, with the emergence of Igodomigodo as a political territory, the semblance of an urbanisation process would appear to have led to increased production and exchange of goods and services, resulting in ‘surplus’ which may have been the reason why the people began call the area Ubini.15 A Benin writer explains the meaning of Ubini as “Ehe ne emwi i na vbe’ 16 which is interpreted to mean “the land of inexhaustible resources” or “the land where there is no scarcity.”17 It is not very clear whether the name Igodomigodo was used interchangeably with Ubini, or whether the name Ubini was first used before the name Igodomigodo, to describe the area by the people themselves. This is because what is now Benin City was at the time of Ogiso Igodo a cluster of over thirty village settlements, a number sufficient to advance the argument that the area was a fertile land suitable for human habitation. Surely, the name Ubini was used as a geographical description of the territory.” [2]
[1]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 145. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[2]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 52–53. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
“At that time the country was known as Ugodomigodo. (Egharevba 1936:7)” [1] “Igodomigodo may not be ‘town of towns’ as claimed by Igbafe, but ‘the land of Igodo’ is a closely acceptable meaning. It is possible that the name Igodomigodo was to claim superiority over the other emerging communities, which was directly identified with the first ruler or founder. In any case, with the emergence of Igodomigodo as a political territory, the semblance of an urbanisation process would appear to have led to increased production and exchange of goods and services, resulting in ‘surplus’ which may have been the reason why the people began call the area Ubini.15 A Benin writer explains the meaning of Ubini as “Ehe ne emwi i na vbe’ 16 which is interpreted to mean “the land of inexhaustible resources” or “the land where there is no scarcity.”17 It is not very clear whether the name Igodomigodo was used interchangeably with Ubini, or whether the name Ubini was first used before the name Igodomigodo, to describe the area by the people themselves. This is because what is now Benin City was at the time of Ogiso Igodo a cluster of over thirty village settlements, a number sufficient to advance the argument that the area was a fertile land suitable for human habitation. Surely, the name Ubini was used as a geographical description of the territory.” [2]
[1]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 145. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[2]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 52–53. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
Most texts refer to the first Oba’s origins in Ile Ife. But some suggest Oranmiyan was a native Bini, who spent time away but returned to assume the kingship. “The Ɔghɛnɛ (Ɔmi,to give him his Yoruba title) was the ruler of Ile Ife, the cosmic metropolis of the Yoruba people to the west and, for most of the states of the Bight of Benin, the cradle of divine kingship. He sent his son Oranmiyan, who, however, found Benin uncongenial, so after a short stay he departed for home, but not before he had impregnated the daughter of an Edo village chief. She bore a son, who in the course of time was enthroned under the name Eweka.” [1] “In the past few decades much research has appeared on the early history of this kingdom, the origin of its kingship, and the time of the early Ogiso kings, who are considered by many historians as the autochthonous founders of Benin kingship around 900. These Ogiso rulers are assumed to have been replaced between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries by kings of the later Oba dynasty, which supposedly descends from the Yoruba town of Ife and which continues in office at the present.” [2] “Prior to the establishment of the dynasty of obas in Benin, the city’s rulers were known as the Ogiso. The first Ogiso was Igodo who established a dynasty of kings, some thirty-one in all. This dynasty came to an end when its last ruler, Ogiso Owodo, was banished from Benin as a result of popular hostility against his regime which was marked by misrule and cruelty.” [3]
[1]: Bradbury, R. E. (1967). The Kingdom of Benin. In West African Kingdoms in the Nineteenth Century (Repr, pp. 1–35). Published for the International African Institute by Oxford University Press: 2. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/Z8DJIKP8/collection
[2]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 141. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[3]: Akinola, G. A. (1976). The Origin of the Eweka Dynasty of Benin: A Study in the Use and Abuse of Oral Traditions. Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria, 8(3), 21–36: 22. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/KFESED7G/collection
(Relationship): Most texts refer to the first Oba’s origins in Ile Ife. But some suggest Oranmiyan was a native Bini, who spent time away but returned to assume the kingship. “The Ɔghɛnɛ (Ɔmi,to give him his Yoruba title) was the ruler of Ile Ife, the cosmic metropolis of the Yoruba people to the west and, for most of the states of the Bight of Benin, the cradle of divine kingship. He sent his son Oranmiyan, who, however, found Benin uncongenial, so after a short stay he departed for home, but not before he had impregnated the daughter of an Edo village chief. She bore a son, who in the course of time was enthroned under the name Eweka.”
[1]
Eisenhofer refers to the views of Edebiri, Air Iyare, Edun Akenzua and Omoregie: “In these four, newer, versions of the ’origins’ of Benin kingship, Egharevba’s foreign prince Oranmiyan has been changed into a native Bini and the founder of the Oba dynasty identified as either Ogiso Ekaladerhan himself or one of his sons. These dramatically different descriptions of the founding of the dynasty as a result of Oranmiyan’s return home to Benin City result in, among other things, constructing an unbroken dynastic succession of rulers from the early Ogiso.”
[2]
, Most texts refer to the first Oba’s origins in Ile Ife. But some suggest Oranmiyan was a native Bini, who spent time away but returned to assume the kingship. “The Ɔghɛnɛ (Ɔmi,to give him his Yoruba title) was the ruler of Ile Ife, the cosmic metropolis of the Yoruba people to the west and, for most of the states of the Bight of Benin, the cradle of divine kingship. He sent his son Oranmiyan, who, however, found Benin uncongenial, so after a short stay he departed for home, but not before he had impregnated the daughter of an Edo village chief. She bore a son, who in the course of time was enthroned under the name Eweka.”
[1]
Eisenhofer refers to the views of Edebiri, Air Iyare, Edun Akenzua and Omoregie: “In these four, newer, versions of the ’origins’ of Benin kingship, Egharevba’s foreign prince Oranmiyan has been changed into a native Bini and the founder of the Oba dynasty identified as either Ogiso Ekaladerhan himself or one of his sons. These dramatically different descriptions of the founding of the dynasty as a result of Oranmiyan’s return home to Benin City result in, among other things, constructing an unbroken dynastic succession of rulers from the early Ogiso.”
[2]
(Entity): Also known as Igodomigodo, Ugodomigodo, Ubini and Igobo Kingdom. Talking about Ogiso dynasty: “At that time the country was known as Ugodomigodo. (Egharevba 1936:7)”
[3]
“At that time the country was known as Igodomingodo. (Egharevba 1953:4)”
[4]
“The first dynasty in Benin has been referred to as the Igobo monarchy and was apparently founded in c. 942-969. For more details about the Igodo dynasty refer to Egharevba (1960, 1-5) and Egharevba (1965) (also appearing with twelve other publications by the same author in a Kraus Reprint, Nendeln, 1973).”
[5]
[1]: Bradbury, R. E. (1967). The Kingdom of Benin. In West African Kingdoms in the Nineteenth Century (Repr, pp. 1–35). Published for the International African Institute by Oxford University Press: 2. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/Z8DJIKP8/collection
[2]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 152. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[3]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 145. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[4]: Eisenhofer, S. (1995). The Origins of the Benin Kingship in the Works of Jacob Egharevba. History in Africa, 22, 141–163: 146. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/WR8MRZAW/collection
[5]: Sargent, R. A. (1986). From A Redistribution to an Imperial Social Formation: Benin c.1293-1536. Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue Canadienne Des Études Africaines, 20(3), 402–427: 422. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/AUEZSTBR/collection
levels. 1) Cities, 2) Villages. Cities seem to have been present. “The spheres of their competence overlapped with those of the Edionevbo, the all-Benin City chiefs, Evian and Ogiamwen belonged to the dynasty of Efa chiefs whose authority stretched over the wards of the city inhabited by their tribesmen. Quite evidently, these were the wards whose dwellers now argue that their ancestors had not come to Benin from anywhere, but lived there "from the beginning" (Bradbury 1957:19; Igbafe 1974:2). It is also easy to imagine what tension could exist between the two "city halls" and how much each of them wished to monopolize power over the entire city. Of course, the fall of the Ogiso dynasty was a defeat not only of its last representative Owodo, but of the Edionevbo. No doubt the "king- makers" had nothing against their further influencing the course of events not only in the capital but in the whole country through weak rulers, like the majority of the Ogiso seem to have been.” [1] “The Ɔghɛnɛ (Ɔmi,to give him his Yoruba title) was the ruler of Ile Ife, the cosmic metropolis of the Yoruba people to the west and, for most of the states of the Bight of Benin, the cradle of divine kingship. He sent his son Oranmiyan, who, however, found Benin uncongenial, so after a short stay he departed for home, but not before he had impregnated the daughter of an Edo village chief. She bore a son, who in the course of time was enthroned under the name Eweka.” [2] “During the first millennium when the institution of monarchy - the Ogiso dynasty - was established in Benin, the first king, Ogiso Igodo, called the numerous village communities which were joined together in a political union under him as Igodomigodo. His village at Ugbeku was the capital where he built the royal palace.” [3]
[1]: Bondarenko, D. M. (2003). Advent of the Second (Oba) Dynasty: Another Assessment of a Benin History Key Point. History in Africa, 30, 63–85; 78. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/CESQP6DT/collection
[2]: Bradbury, R. E. (1967). The Kingdom of Benin. In West African Kingdoms in the Nineteenth Century (Repr, pp. 1–35). Published for the International African Institute by Oxford University Press: 2. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/Z8DJIKP8/collection
[3]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 52. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
levels. 1) Ogiso, 2) Edionnisen (five elders). “At the level of central government, the institution of edionnisen (five elders) was created by the first Ogiso. Until the creation of this political institution, the edion nene (four elders) was the main institution of governance which supported the Odionwere in the pre-Ogiso era and which still existed in Benin villages. This means that the first Ogiso added one to the original number in an effort to build a support base for the new monarchy. The five elders were Oliha, Edohen, Ero, Ezomo, and Eholo N’irre. During the reign of Ogiso Ere, the second king who succeeded Igodo, the positions of Oliha, Edohen, Ero, and Eholo N’irre became hereditary chieftaincy titles. The position of Ezomo was not made hereditary but reserved for the most powerful warrior in the kingdom, and had responsibility for security and military matters. Perhaps, the idea of a warrior chief became necessary because of the rivalry with Udo.” [1]
[1]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 68. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
Unclear whether they were full-time specialists, but there was certainly an officially defined force of warriors. “We noted earlier that the creation of Odibo-Odionwere in Benin villages in the premonarchical period was the beginning of military thought for purposes of government. When the institution of monarchy was established, Igodo created Odibo-Ogiso, as a kind of military institution, apparently for fear of the threat to internal security. The idea was to ensure that a loyal fighting force will always be available to defend the king and his kingdom. The Odibo-Ogiso may not have constituted an effective fighting force, but probably suited to perform the task of internal defence and protection of the Ogiso rulers. Rather than consolidate the Odibo-Ogiso as an effective fighting force, Ogiso Ere created the Avbiogbe as a special squad within the Odibo-Ogiso with the same common task: the personal security of the king, the announcement and enforcement of royal proclamations, and the supervision of land allocation.” [1] “The semblance of a military institution began to evolve during the reign of Ogiso Odoligie, the twenty-fourth king of the dynasty. He is reputed to have organised the first group of Benin warriors called Ivbiyokuo. Initially, the fighting force was restricted to the Avbiogbe but it was expanded to include all the Ighele age group, and this marked the beginning of a civic militia in Benin history. Thus, Odoligie became the first ruler in Benin to succeed in organising an army of his subjects. He was not a warrior king nor did he assign himself the responsibility of being the war commander of the army, nor was the Ezomo given the responsibility to be the commander of the Benin army. Rather, he created two new war chieftaincy titles, the Esagho ‘as the greatest war chief’ and the Olou as another ‘great war chief.’ They had the responsibility to co-ordinate and command the war leaders who were called Okakuo, and to also lead the militia in war. This was, indeed the birth of a really fighting force, although the extent in which they were trained in military discipline is not well known.” [2]
[1]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 68. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
[2]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 69. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection
“The semblance of a military institution began to evolve during the reign of Ogiso Odoligie, the twenty-fourth king of the dynasty. He is reputed to have organised the first group of Benin warriors called Ivbiyokuo. Initially, the fighting force was restricted to the Avbiogbe but it was expanded to include all the Ighele age group, and this marked the beginning of a civic militia in Benin history. Thus, Odoligie became the first ruler in Benin to succeed in organising an army of his subjects. He was not a warrior king nor did he assign himself the responsibility of being the war commander of the army, nor was the Ezomo given the responsibility to be the commander of the Benin army. Rather, he created two new war chieftaincy titles, the Esagho ‘as the greatest war chief’ and the Olou as another ‘great war chief.’ They had the responsibility to co-ordinate and command the war leaders who were called Okakuo, and to also lead the militia in war. This was, indeed the birth of a really fighting force, although the extent in which they were trained in military discipline is not well known.” [1]
[1]: Osadolor, O. B. (2001). The Military System of Benin Kingdom, c.1440–1897. University of Hamburg, Germany: 69. https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/collections/GWWIKDDM/items/N4RZF5H5/collection