Introduction:

I’m going to tell a story, a story about a world that once lived a story about a kingdom and its queen. within the annals of history lies a tale that has endured through countless generations—a story of courage, leadership, and empowerment. This speaks not of kings and conquerors, but of a queen whose influence transcended the confines of her time and place. 

Queen Idia of the Benin Kingdom.

Though often overshadowed by her male counterparts, played a pivotal role in shaping the destinies of women and families within her kingdom and as history would have it her story will be told once more.

But to get to that story we need to understand the beginning.

PART ONE

Chapter one: A history and a kingdom 

Before we get to her story, we need to understand the parts of what makes an Oba an Oba and that starts with a simple understanding of why the Benin people were rulers.

Benin was established in the region of West Africa in the 1200s C.E.

The forest was the closest they had to neighbours, according to history the Edo people of the southern part of Nigeria founded Benin, and so they no longer wanted to be ruled by kings, so they asked the prince from Ife which then was an important West African kingdom to take control. And thus, the first Oba was made. You see where we are going with this as history and life began to grow so did rules and traditions. 

Now let us get back to her story.

Before she ascended to the throne, Idia was more than just a queen-in-waiting; she was a daughter, a friend, a sister, and a child. But above all, she was her own person—a force to be reckoned with in her own right. And she loved that about herself.

While the exact details of her birth and death elude historical records, Idia's life intersected with a significant period in Benin's history—the Idah War, (1484-1540) where she emerged victorious. Born and raised in the heart of the Bini (Benin) Kingdom, she hailed from Ugieghudu, nestled within the Eguae region of Isi.

Described as a woman of remarkable strength, beauty, intelligence, and wisdom, Idia possessed a deep understanding of the world around her. Despite her formidable intellect and education, she was not immune to the simple joys of life. Even the most erudite woman finds solace in dance, and it was through this shared passion that she crossed paths with the Oba of Benin.

Chapter 2: The Parallel lines 

Prince Okpame, the youngest son of the esteemed Ewuare, who expanded the Kingdom of Benin during his reign from 1440 to 1473, played a pivotal role in Idia's story. Named Oba Ozolua in 1483 following a three-year interregnum. Why are we talking about him? Well, he became an integral part of Idia's journey as her husband and the ruler of Benin at the time. It's important to note that when an Oba has been crowned, his name is changed to fit his title, signifying his new role as the sovereign leader of the kingdom.

The tale of Idia and the Oba's meeting often carried various interpretations among historians. Some speculate that their union stemmed from love, while others suggest it was driven by the Oba's infatuation or Idia's character. Nonetheless, their marriage, believed to have occurred before 1504, was not without its challenges.

Idia's parents, wary of the union, sought to protect their daughter by preparing her for palace life. They employed traditional methods, including administering medicinal herbs and marking her face with two parallel lines. Legend has it that these lines were intended to diminish Idia's beauty, dissuading the Oba from pursuing her. However, their efforts proved futile as Oba Ozolua discerned the ploy and counteracted the effects of the potion.

Despite the initial scepticism surrounding their union, Idia and Oba Ozolua's relationship endured. 

Part two:  Queen Idia: Birth

Chapter 3 

An intriguing rumour of Idia's legacy lies in the concept of her "womb of Orhue," a phrase that symbolized her remarkable ability to defy the odds of childbirth. As the wife of the Oba of Benin, Idia's fertility was not just a matter of personal significance but held immense political and cultural weight within the kingdom. A spoken fact they would later say when her son whom was not the first born becomes the Oba of Benin.

The first son of Oba Ozolua was Ogidogbo, followed by Aruanran(idubor), the son of Oloi Ohonmi, who was born earlier on the same day as Esigie(Osawe).

However, Esigie's birth was officially announced to the Oba before Ohonmi's son, allowing Esigie to claim the second place in succession. According to Edo oral history, because Idubor did not cry immediately at birth, Osawe, who did, was reported first to the king, following tradition. By the time Idubor cried and his birth was reported, the king had already performed the proclamation rites for Osawe as the first son.

Traditionally, the first child of the Oba inherits the throne, with the second child as the successor if any circumstances render the first child unfit, such as death.

Despite this, some history suspects that queen Idia played a role in her son Esigie's path to power, possibly using witchcraft to manipulate his ascent to the throne. 

Chapter 4: Havoc, Death and War.

Kingdoms are not built in a day.

HAVOC

 Queen idia son was far from being in control of the throne. She harbored a fervent desire for him to ascend as the of Oba of Benin. Of course or even maybe she showed the displeasure she felt towards it made a rise in rumors. 

Ogidogbo, initially first in line for the throne as Oba, found himself deemed unsuitable for rulership due to an unfortunate accident.  He became Crippled which was as a result of his playful interactions with his brothers, Aruanran and Esigie, within the kingdom. Ogidogbo's legitimacy to the throne was called into question and thus he was removed from the line of successions as the next Oba.  This turn of events fueled speculation that Queen Idia may have orchestrated the circumstances to pave the way for her son's ascent to power.

DEATH 

In life, death is an immutable reality, an inevitability that cannot be avoided or evaded. Yet, amidst this certainty, there existed power—power that transcended understanding. Throughout history, witchcraft has been a part of the Benin people even till date it is a common misconception that Benin people are witches.

Upon Oba Ozolua's death in 1504, the ancient Benin Kingdom was plunged into a tumultuous struggle for power between Aruanran, the formidable warrior, and Osawe.

Benin culture states that if an Oba is crowned, his mother must be eliminated as they were considered a threat to the future Oba and throne.

Queen Idia found herself at a crossroads.  

WAR

Queen Idia made history as the first woman who went and fought in a war. 

However, amidst their triumphs on the battlefield, a new threat emerged from within the kingdom itself – Aruanran was fueled with resentment towards his brother Esigie.

 Queen Idia's apparent  role in nullifying the claim of Ogidogbo, the first son, did not go unnoticed by Aruanran, whose enmity towards Esigie intensified to the point of attempted assassination.

Aruanran, known for his prowess as a conqueror and warrior, recognized that he needed to acquire supernatural powers to challenge Queen Idia, who served as her son's spiritual protector. It was rumoured that he sought powers in the dark arts of black magic from the powerful sorceress, Iyenuroho, in Uroho village.

Esigie's relative lack of combat experience, was belived to have been caused by him studying under the Portuguese missionaries rather than participation in warfare.

Refusing to accept defeat, Aruanran, also known as the Duke (Enogie) of Udo, initially attempted to establish Udo as the capital of the Benin Kingdom with himself as king, challenging Esigie's authority.

 Despite suffering losses, including the death of his son, Oni-Oni, Aruanran's forces continued to resist, eventually founding Ondo town in Yoruba territory.

With Queen Idia's strategic guidance and mobilization of troops around Esigie, they emerged victorious, securing Esigie's ascension as the 16th king of Benin. 

Arhuaran would go on to rule Udo, about 20miles away from Benin. Far away.

Part 3:  First Queen mother of Benin

Chapter 5: Ascension and Hidden

As mentioned earlier, upon Esigie's ascension to the throne, the customary practice dictated that his mother, Queen Idia, be put to death. However, Esigie defied this tradition and sought the assistance of Omoregie Ero, the 17th Ero of Benin, to conceal his mother's whereabouts. In 1504, with the aid of Omoregie Ero, Queen Idia was clandestinely hidden away.

A secluded sanctuary was chosen for Queen Idia's concealment, known only to a select few. This covert refuge was nestled within the hidden groves of Idumwsum-Oro at Uselu, known as Aro Osun, the shrine of the gods of herbs. The precise duration of Queen Idia's seclusion remains unclear, but during this time, Esigie fervently campaigned to abolish the barbaric custom of executing the mothers of newly crowned kings, beginning with his own.

In this clandestine sanctuary, Queen Idia remained shielded from harm, her safety preserved by the courageous actions of her son, Esigie, and the assistance of Omoregie Ero.

Chapter 6: The first queen mother(Eguae-Iyoba)

Following the abolition of the barbaric tradition of regicide, Queen Idia was reinstated to the palace, where Oba Esigie bestowed upon her the title of Eguae-Iyoba, signifying her as the Palace of the Queen Mother and making her the first Iyoba in Benin's history. However, this restoration came with a solemn vow from the Oba - never to engage in direct contact with his mother again for the rest of his life.

This decree laid the foundation for the enduring tradition in Benin culture where the Queen Mother refrains from direct interaction with her son, the Oba. In gratitude for her sacrifices and unwavering support, Oba Esigie established a new office for her - that of Iyoba - granting her authority to rule from Uselu as a hidden Oba of Benin.

As Esigie's reign flourished, Queen Idia remained a steadfast presence by his side, offering guidance and protection to her son. Her patronage of the arts led to numerous innovations that continue to shape Benin's cultural heritage to this day. Queen Idia's valor was exemplified during the Idah battle of 1515, where she courageously donned male attire and fought alongside her son.

Despite facing countless assassination attempts, Queen Idia's resilience never wavered as she safeguarded her son's reign. Her passing in 1550 left Esigie grief-stricken, but with the support of his favoured wife, Elaba, whom Queen Idia had groomed for succession, the kingdom endured.

In honour of his mother's multifaceted legacy, Esigie commissioned the creation of the iconic Iyoba mask, crafted from ivory as a symbol of purity and associated with Olokun, the god of wealth. Notably, the mask features depictions of Portuguese men, reflecting the Edo people's recognition of the foreigners' connection to Olokun.

Elevated to the ranks of senior chiefs, the Iyoba constructed her own palace in Uselu, solidifying her status as a powerful figure in Benin society. She was celebrated for her contributions, including the invention of the royal Ekassa dance and the creation of the ukpe okhue, or parrot beak-shaped cap. Additionally, Queen Idia oversaw the Orhu festival as a spiritual leader, leaving an indelible mark on the ancient Benin Kingdom as its first woman of such authority and a school was named in her honour.

She was the first queen mother - Queen Idia.

Though history tends to evolve over time, Queen Idia remains a figure of formidable strength and resilience. She stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of courage, forever remembered as one of the greatest champions for peace and happiness.

The end