Edo creation story

1. What is the Benin story of creation?
2. What is the origin of the Edos?
3. Who is the founding father of Edo?
4. What is the Nigerian creation story?
5. What is the African creation myth?
6. Who are the Benin gods?
7. What is Edo called God?
8. Is Edo Igbo or Yoruba?
9. Why did Japan rename Edo?
10. Is Edo a Chinese?
11. What race is Edo?
12. What was Benin known for?
13. What was ancient Benin known for?
14. What is the story of eweka?
15. Why was Benin so powerful?
16. Which kingdom is the oldest in Africa?
17. What race is Benin?

What is the Benin story of creation?

The people of Benin believed in the following creation story: The great god Osanobua made the world and everything in it. He then sent his four sons to rule over different parts of the world. Before each of his sons left heaven, Osanobua let them take a gift with them.

What is the origin of the Edos?

Edo, also called Bini, people of southern Nigeria who speak a language of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family. The Edo numbered about 3.8 million at the turn of the 21st century. Their territory is west of the Niger River and extends from hilly country in the north to swamps in the Niger Delta.

Who is the founding father of Edo?

The original people and founders of the Benin Kingdom, the Edo people, were initially ruled by the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) who called their land Igodomigodo. The first Ogiso (Ogiso Igodo), wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere, his eldest son.

What is the Nigerian creation story?

According to the Yoruba people, the world (earth) was created by a Supreme Being called Olorun or Olodunmare. Before then, life existed only in the sky. Up there, the Superior Being had a lot of deities worshiping at his feet. In turn, he provided them a baobab tree where they got everything they needed.

What is the African creation myth?

The Fon creation myth is the traditional creation story of the Fon peoples of West Africa. Various versions of the creation story are told. In most the creator is either Mawu, the moon being and mother of all the gods and humanity, or Mawu-Lisa, the sun/moon being who is both male and female.

Who are the Benin gods?

Olokun was a very popular god. As well as ruling the ocean, he was the god of wealth. Other popular gods were Ogun the god of iron and warriors and Osun the god of medicine and magic. People believed that the Obas of Benin were the direct descendants of Osanobua, the creator god.

What is Edo called God?

Osanobua or Osalobua (Esan: Osenobula, Osenebra) is the name for God in the Edo language. It is also referred to asOsa, which is commonly integrated into modern Edo names, such as Esosa, which means God's goodness or gift; Eghosa, God's time; and Efosa, God's blessings or wealth.

Is Edo Igbo or Yoruba?

Benin Kingdom in Edo is Yoruba territory — Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Why did Japan rename Edo?

The name of the area was changed from Edo to Tokyo in September 1868 because of the Imperial rescript enforced at that time. Tokyo is written as 東京 in Japanese. 東 means Eastern (East) and 京 means metropolis or capital.

Is Edo a Chinese?

Edo culture, Cultural period of Japanese history corresponding to the Tokugawa period of governance (1603–1867). Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, chose Edo (present-day Tokyo) as Japan's new capital, and it became one of the largest cities of its time and was the site of a thriving urban culture.

What race is Edo?

The Edo or Benin people are an Edoid ethnic group, primarily found in Edo State, Southern part of Nigeria. They speak the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Empire.

What was Benin known for?

Benin City has long been famous for its “bronzes”—actually brass work, some of which is said to date from the 13th century—and for its ivory and wood carvings. Its museum (1960) has a notable collection of some of the kingdom's early pieces.

What was ancient Benin known for?

Under these obas Benin became a highly organized state. Its numerous craftsmen were organized into guilds, and the kingdom became famous for its ivory and wood carvers. Its brass smiths and bronze casters excelled at making naturalistic heads, bas-reliefs, and other sculptures.

What is the story of eweka?

Oranmiyan lived in a palace which was built for him in Benin, married a beautiful Edo lady called Erinwinde and had a son called Eweka. However, Oranmiyan said that only someone born in Benin should rule it and made his son, Eweka, the Oba. This was to be called the Eweka dynasty.

Why was Benin so powerful?

Obas Ozolua and Esigie both encouraged trade with Europe. Trade brought huge wealth to Benin and they used it to build up a vast army. Various goods were sold including ivory, palm oil, pepper.

Which kingdom is the oldest in Africa?

The earliest kingdom in Africa was ancient Egypt. It was also one of the first civilizations in all of human history. The kingdom developed about 3000 bc in the valley of the Nile River. The achievements of the ancient Egyptians are remarkable.

What race is Benin?

Benin's largest ethnic group is the Fon (39%), followed by the Adja (15%), Yoruba (12%) and Bariba (9%). Togo's largest ethnic groups are the Ewe (21%), Kabye (12%), Mina (3.2%) and Kotokoli (3.2%). Benin has more ethnic ties to its neighbor Nigeria; Togo has more links to Ghana.