The whole piece is super interesting, and the conclusion is understandable, but maybe not necessarily connected to 'comfort'. Some facts have been suppressed, and some have been omitted and replaced with propagandistic falsehoods. The true history of slavery, and the history of countering slavery, cannot be written enough about.
I have lived most of my life 'knowing' that Sweden abolished slavery by law in the 1300s, and only recently learnt that this was mostly for economic reasons. If you need seasonal workers, why should you feed them all year around. Some understanding of Christianity was also important. Swedish law only covered people living in Sweden of course. The last Swedish African slaves were freed in the 1800s.
I got "hung up" on the beadwork. So much beauty and skill! You worked hard on this, Yaw. I'll enjoy reading and rereading it. Don't see anything about the Efik or Obibio, however. I lived in that area near the Cross River.
Great article, as always! Small typo, I think you meant "After Benin banned selling slaves, Portugal found willing African partners" instead of "After Benin banned selling slaves, Benin found willing African partners:"
Great write-up, though there are a few glaring errors. I’ll focus on the major ones:
'Oba' is a Yoruba word. It loosely translates to the image of a mother hen covering her chicks—where the hen is the King and the chicks are his subjects. The traditional Edo word for king is actually Ogiso.
The Oranmiyan Connection. The title 'Oba' was only introduced to Benin during the second dynasty, specifically linked to the Oranmiyan lineage from Ile-Ife. It was an imported political title, much like how Europeans later introduced the concept of 'Presidents' to Africa.
Linguistic Origins. Most Benin royal titles are, in fact, Yoruba in origin, but spoken with an Edo accent. This is why many of these titles only have a literal meaning in Yoruba. Even the name 'Benin' itself is a Portuguese corruption of the Yoruba word 'Ile Ibinu'.
Titles are specific. Names like OONI,Alaafin (meaning Owner of the Palace), Olojudo, and Deji etc are specific titles held by an Oba. These titles indicate the ancestry or the feats accomplished by that specific stool. Using 'Oba Alaafin' is redundant; it’s like saying 'King Alexander the Great.'
The Benin Title. The Benin monarch’s true title is Omo N’Oba (meaning 'Child of the King'). The Portuguese popularized simply calling him 'Oba' rather than using the full, specific title, which has led to much of the modern-day confusion.
Great write-up, though there are a few glaring errors. I’ll focus on the major ones:
'Oba' is a Yoruba word. It loosely translates to the image of a mother hen covering her chicks—where the hen is the King and the chicks are his subjects. The traditional Edo word for king is actually Ogiso.
The Oranmiyan Connection. The title 'Oba' was only introduced to Benin during the second dynasty, specifically linked to the Oranmiyan lineage from Ile-Ife. It was an imported political title, much like how Europeans later introduced the concept of 'Presidents' to Africa.
Linguistic Origins. Most Benin royal titles are, in fact, Yoruba in origin, but spoken with an Edo accent. This is why many of these titles only have a literal meaning in Yoruba. Even the name 'Benin' itself is a Portuguese corruption of the Yoruba word 'Ile Ibinu'.
Titles are specific. Names like OONI,Alaafin (meaning Owner of the Palace), Olojudo, and Deji etc are specific titles held by an Oba. These titles indicate the ancestry or the feats accomplished by that specific stool. Using 'Oba Alaafin' is redundant; it’s like saying 'King Alexander the Great.'
The Benin Title. The Benin monarch’s true title is Omo N’Oba (meaning 'Child of the King'). The Portuguese popularized simply calling him 'Oba' rather than using the full, specific title, which has led to much of the modern-day confusion.
Let me know you think of the comfortable and uncomfortable truths column in the conclusion!
The whole piece is super interesting, and the conclusion is understandable, but maybe not necessarily connected to 'comfort'. Some facts have been suppressed, and some have been omitted and replaced with propagandistic falsehoods. The true history of slavery, and the history of countering slavery, cannot be written enough about.
I have lived most of my life 'knowing' that Sweden abolished slavery by law in the 1300s, and only recently learnt that this was mostly for economic reasons. If you need seasonal workers, why should you feed them all year around. Some understanding of Christianity was also important. Swedish law only covered people living in Sweden of course. The last Swedish African slaves were freed in the 1800s.
I got "hung up" on the beadwork. So much beauty and skill! You worked hard on this, Yaw. I'll enjoy reading and rereading it. Don't see anything about the Efik or Obibio, however. I lived in that area near the Cross River.
Both of them will be in the next piece!
Fascinating history, love learning about it!
Great article, as always! Small typo, I think you meant "After Benin banned selling slaves, Portugal found willing African partners" instead of "After Benin banned selling slaves, Benin found willing African partners:"
Changed it!
Very impressed with the speed of execution 🫡
I think this is another typo:
"he rose slave prices without warning" - Should be :
"he raised slave prices without warning"
Great write-up, though there are a few glaring errors. I’ll focus on the major ones:
'Oba' is a Yoruba word. It loosely translates to the image of a mother hen covering her chicks—where the hen is the King and the chicks are his subjects. The traditional Edo word for king is actually Ogiso.
The Oranmiyan Connection. The title 'Oba' was only introduced to Benin during the second dynasty, specifically linked to the Oranmiyan lineage from Ile-Ife. It was an imported political title, much like how Europeans later introduced the concept of 'Presidents' to Africa.
Linguistic Origins. Most Benin royal titles are, in fact, Yoruba in origin, but spoken with an Edo accent. This is why many of these titles only have a literal meaning in Yoruba. Even the name 'Benin' itself is a Portuguese corruption of the Yoruba word 'Ile Ibinu'.
Titles are specific. Names like OONI,Alaafin (meaning Owner of the Palace), Olojudo, and Deji etc are specific titles held by an Oba. These titles indicate the ancestry or the feats accomplished by that specific stool. Using 'Oba Alaafin' is redundant; it’s like saying 'King Alexander the Great.'
The Benin Title. The Benin monarch’s true title is Omo N’Oba (meaning 'Child of the King'). The Portuguese popularized simply calling him 'Oba' rather than using the full, specific title, which has led to much of the modern-day confusion.
Ah great catch! Changing now!
Great write-up, though there are a few glaring errors. I’ll focus on the major ones:
'Oba' is a Yoruba word. It loosely translates to the image of a mother hen covering her chicks—where the hen is the King and the chicks are his subjects. The traditional Edo word for king is actually Ogiso.
The Oranmiyan Connection. The title 'Oba' was only introduced to Benin during the second dynasty, specifically linked to the Oranmiyan lineage from Ile-Ife. It was an imported political title, much like how Europeans later introduced the concept of 'Presidents' to Africa.
Linguistic Origins. Most Benin royal titles are, in fact, Yoruba in origin, but spoken with an Edo accent. This is why many of these titles only have a literal meaning in Yoruba. Even the name 'Benin' itself is a Portuguese corruption of the Yoruba word 'Ile Ibinu'.
Titles are specific. Names like OONI,Alaafin (meaning Owner of the Palace), Olojudo, and Deji etc are specific titles held by an Oba. These titles indicate the ancestry or the feats accomplished by that specific stool. Using 'Oba Alaafin' is redundant; it’s like saying 'King Alexander the Great.'
The Benin Title. The Benin monarch’s true title is Omo N’Oba (meaning 'Child of the King'). The Portuguese popularized simply calling him 'Oba' rather than using the full, specific title, which has led to much of the modern-day confusion.
Nice Piece!
Why didn't Benin convert to Christianity? I looked at Wiki, and it is mostly Christian now?
Good question! Conversion to christianity didnt take place until colonialism after 1890s.