Each
Uzama enjoys a large degree of independence in his own domain. He keeps a court
with palace associations organized on similar lines to those of the Oba, though
on a smaller scale. This does not apply to Oloton however because titles at
ldunmwoloton are conferred by the Oba at the time of his installation. Some
titles are still held at Uzebu, Urubi but the Palace societies have ceased to
function. When the Edaiken moves to Uselu all the Palace societies are restored
and begin to function just as those in the Oba Palace.
Apart
from this specific role of the Uzama during the coronation of an Oba, some of
them had individual responsibilities in the past, With the advent of colonialism
some of these responsibilities have since faded into insignificance. The Ezomo,
for instance, was the senior war Chief or General. He was undoubtedly the
wealthiest and the most influential of the Uzama. Ero was the guardian of the
North-Western gate-way to the City and had some responsibility for the Edaiken
and the Queen mother near whose Palace his own domain is situated. Oloton is the
keeper of the shrine of Azama, at which special sacrifices are made at the
naming of the Oba's eldest son and on other occasions. The Uzama therefore
occupy a unique position In the social and political set up of the kingdom.
Oba
Ewedo was crowned in about 1255 A.D. Prior to his coronation, he had become
apprehensive of the power and influence of the Uzama who were almost equal to
the Oba. He felt that the Uzama would constitute a great check to his political
power, and so, to avoid this situation, Oba Ewedo decided to move the seat of
his administration from Usama which was surrounded by the residence of the
Uzama, to the present site of Oba Palace in the centre of the town. He made all
necessary arrangements for the removal without informing the Uzama chiefs until
the day of his coronation.
But
alas the centre of the town he was moving to had as many powerful individual
sectional leaders as the Uzama behind the moat. During the interregnum powerful
individuals had sprung up and had carved out areas of influence for themselves
all over the town centre. One of such powerful leaders was lsekherhe who laid
claim to that part of the town surrounding the area now known as Ibiwe street.
Another was Enekighidi of Ogbelaka off Sapele Road. The most powerful and leader
of them all was Ogiamien whose father, Evian, had opposed the mission to Uhe in
search of Ekaladerhan. And since post-interregnum Obas lived behind the moat,
the town centre leaders felt reasonably secure until Oba Ewedo decided to move
into their midst.
On
the eventful day, Oba Ewedo left Usama shortly after the ceremonies and the
first of the powerful leaders he encountered en route was lsekherhe who refused
to allow the Oba pass through his "territory". But after the Oba (who
had a fowl hanging from his neck) had explained his mission Isekherhe let him
pass but not before the Oba had paid Isekherhe a fee of a wife and the sum of
"Ugiamwen" (equivalent to 65 kobo in modern currency). But the leader
of them all, the powerful Ogiamien was waiting only a short distance away and he
called on Oba Ewedo to return to where he came from.
The
Oba explained that he was going to offer sacrifice with the fowl on his neck.
But when Ogiamien pulled this off, the Oba and his followers became indignant.
Fight broke out and Ogiamien fled but throwing a challenge to the Oba to meet
him in battle at Ekiokpagha in seven days time. Ekiokpaha (Okpagha market) is
situated along Sokponba Road near the St. Matthew's Cathedral Church.
In
the subsequent engagement at Ekiokpagha, Ogiamien was defeated by the Oba. He
later surrendered and made peace with the Oba. A symbolic treaty was established
between them by which Ogiamien surrendered his claim to the ownership of land to
the Oba to whom he also pledged loyalty. Ogiamien was in return made a Chief by
the Oba and was allowed to retain his nick-name, Ogiamien, as a title and to
retain authority over that part of the land he occupied subject to the
superiority of the Oba.
The
Isekherhe confrontation and Treaty of Ekiokpagha have since then become
significant events in the coronation of every Oba of Benin. He has to cross a
bridge and engage in mock quarrel with Isekherhe and Ogiamien in front of
lsekherhe's house at lbiwe Street, and on the seventh day, engage in a mock
battle with Chief Ogiamien at Ekiokpagha. It is also on record that Evian the father
of Ogiamien had earlier tried to prevent Oronmiyan from entering the kingdom on
his way from Uhe. But this attempt was foiled by a ferry man at Ovia river.
Also
at the time of Eweka I the son of Oronmiyan, a similar attempt was made by
Ogiamien the son of Evian to prevent him from entering Benin City from Ego. War
ensued between the people of Ego and Ogiamien at Isekhere leading to the defeat
of the forces of Ogiamien. Therefore the engagement at Ekiokpagha between Ewedo
and Ogiamien marked the final phase of the series of resistance put up by
Ogiamien to prevent the establishment of the Monarchy in Benin City.