QUEEN MOTHER (IYOBA) IDIA
Her visage is the most widely face of an African royal woman besides Nefertiti- the Ancient Egyptian Queen.
Centuries after her death she is still considered one of the greatest royal women in Africa but she was not born with royal blood.
Like most of the young girls in her days Idia was prepared early in her teenage years for marriage. She grew to be a beautiful strong willed and spiritual woman.
What brought her to the palace though was not just her beauty but her awesome dancing skills.
She was born in Ugieghudu Quaters in the Benin Kingdom. She went for a dance and at the capital which is Benin and there the Oba Ozolua could not keep his eyes from her.
The Oba was more than a king. He was a living god. Till date they are still referred to as uku akpolokpolo which translates to "the Mighty one that reigns".
With such a pedigree it was practically impossible to refuse him your daughter when he comes asking to marry her. Coupled with the fact that getting married to the Oba was the quickest and probably the easiest route to political power not just for Idia, but for her parents and the Ugieghudu quarters at large. So, it was logically a win-win situation.
Her parents realized that destiny has brought their daughter good luck but it was their duty to lay hold and seize this miraculous opportunity to become powerful, rich, famous and influential.
Legend has it that they took their beloved daughter Idia through many fortifications and spiritual preparations - which are better referred to as "cooking" - to prepare her for life in the Palace.
The palace was not a place for weaklings, fearful or faint-hearted people. If their daughter was going to be successful then she had to be ready physically, mentally but most especially spiritually.
Her husband, Oba Ozolua was a man of war and consequently was usually out for wars. Queen Idia gave birth to the third son of the Oba.
As beautiful as this sounds, there was almost no future for her. Why? Because traditionally, the first son becomes the crown prince and succeeds his father.
Even more terrifying was the fact that at the demise of an Oba, his wives were put to death but his successor as tradition demanded.
There was no hope for her it seemed. All she was destined to be was an Olori (a royal wife). But she was prepared for this long before it ever began and the turn of events was as dramatic and mystical as the ancient Benin kingdom itself.
History has it that she commanded great influence in the palace of Oba Ozolua. She knew all the major players and her knowledge of politics, administration, medicine and spirituals made her a vital asset.
After the death of her husband Oba Ozolua in 1504 her son Osawe (Oba Esigie) was coronated as the new Oba. This resulted in a civil war as his warrior giant brother Aruanran and Queen Idia's son Osawe battled for the throne.
At this time, Aruanran was the Enogie (Ruler) of Udo, a town of great importance and his brother Osawe (Oba Esigie) was in control of Benin.
The war was long and it took three campaigns to defeat Idubor Aruanran.
He had tried to make Udo the capital of the kingdom as he refused to be a subordinate to his younger brother Osawe.
He was a huge man and a warrior as opposed to his brother whom his father had sent to a Portuguese missionary school and had not gone to war with his father.
Oba Esigie had to trust and rely on his warrior and spiritually gallant mother (Queen Idia) to lead his army on some war expeditions.
How did Osawe (Oba Esigie) who was the third son manage to become Oba? Once, could be a mistake, twice a coincidence but from the third occurrence a pattern becomes visible.
Queen Idia gave birth to her first son Osawe (Oba Esigie) hours after Queen Ohonmi had given birth to her own first son, Idubor Aruanran.
Oral history has it that after his birth Idubor Aruanran refused to cry. A few hours later Queen Idia put to bed and he cried.
The baby (Osawe) was therefore the first to be announced as the second son to their father Oba Ozolua.
Idubor cried later but it was a little too late as Oba Ozolua his father had already perfomed the traditional ceremony of announcing Osawe as his second son.
Queen Idia was accused was accused of masterminding the whole scenario by her knowledge of magic and mystical powers. It was even claimed that she had shut the baby's mouth and brought her delivery date forward with her supernatural powers all in a bid to get her son closer to being the first son.
The war was not won yet but it was a good start. She was not going to end up an ordinary royal wife - if there is anything like that. She was going to transcend and become immortal.
It is pertinent to note here that at that time, women were at the fringes of society and Queen Idia had to be marvellously brilliant to have performed most of the feats ascribed to her.
The first son of the king was declared unfit to be Oba after he fractured his leg in a wrestling combat with his two younger brothers Osawe and Aruanran. Of course we know who automatically becomes heir to the throne; Prince Osawe, the Queen Idia's son.
It was again claimed that the Queen had a hand in the accident but ultimately nothing could be proven.
She had somewhat orchestrated a master plan to make her son the Oba and had succeeded.
She was the first queen (woman) to lead an army out to war in the great Benin kingdom.
It is also said that her son Oba Esigie did not make any major decision without consulting her even after he became Oba.
Oba Esigie's lack of war experience was probably the reason Queen Idia led his armies to war. But irrespective of the reason, it still was no mean feat.
Queen Idia was a strategist, a political guru and a loving mother.
She had managed to make her son Oba, ensured that he defeated his brother Aruanran during the civil war and she even fought his wars.
Oba Esigie recognised how effectively efficient she was and instead of killing her as tradition demanded, he created a special office for her in his administration called IYOBA (Queen Mother) and gave her a private quarter with her own staff.
After the civil wars,Queen Idia -IYOBA- put her talents into the administration and protection of her son's kingdom. She became a noted administration and a great amazon.
After her death, Oba Esigie her son commissioned bronze artists to make a portrait of her.
Her portraits still stare men in the face in museums all over the world.
Till date, on certain ceremonies in the Benin Kingdom the Oba still wears pendants of the Queen Mother as a symbol of protection amongst others.
Queen Mother (IYOBA) Idia did what so many African women would do and do for their sons, year in year out.
Here is a list of some of IYOBA'S achievements.
first woman to have stopped the killing of the king's mother at ascension to the throne.
first woman commander to fight and win a war in defense of her nation.
the first queen of Benin kingdom.
The list continues...
authored by @admiralsp
IYOBA. I have never heard this story, it is interesting I must say. And thank you for bringing me this story, God knows I may never know about Iyoba if not for you.
Very well written and informative. I have not heard / read this before and its beautiful - the story/history and the writing.