![](../image/11book.jpg) |
|
The expanded form of the word Ogiso is Ogie-iso, which
when translated in Edo means, king of the sky. The word Ogie means king, Iso means
Sky or Heaven. Thus the Edo people believe that their kings come from the sky
or more appropriately, from Heaven or from God. It is belief which explains why
the Oba or king is the embodiment of the culture of the Edo people. The story
of the people of the people cannot be written without reference to their king
or Oba. Indeed, everything revolves round the Oba. For example, a matured man would
be appropriately referred to as Okpioba (meaning Oba´s man) Conversely, a woman
would be referred to as Okhuoba (meaning Oba´s woman).
The salutations or greetings of the Edo people have
not excluded their Oba. Thus for "Good morning" Edo man or woman would say Oba
Owie (meaning King of the Morning) "For good afternoon" they would say Oba Avan
(King of the afternoon) and for "good evening" they would say Oba ota (meaning
king of the Evening) The origin of the word Oba has been a subject of
controversy. The
early kings in Benin were known as Ogisos. The successors were the Obas which
began with Oba Eweka1. Some writers claim that the word Oba is a yoruba word
which means King. Others insist that the word must have been derived from the
Benin word O baa meaning "it is difficult hard or dificult or probably from
an abbreviation of the original name of the first Ogiso Obagodo (Oba godo: Oba-King
godo.high; thus High king) The long history of Edo people is reflected in their
uniquely rich cultural heritage.
|
|
The Political & Spiritual Purpose of the
Holy Land
![](../image/ads.ht1.jpg) |