Amazing fact and places of interest in Nigeria

The African continent is of no doubt the home of ancient and complex societies which have for long been into existence. The greatest empire of all time is undoubtedly, the ancient Egypt, yet it certainly isn't the only ancient empire from the African Continent.

It's unfortunate that Nigeria isn't among the list of Ancient countries because of it creation in the year 1914. But, they are lots of powerful nations under Nigeria that have for long been existing.

talking of such is the great Edo Benin Empire, history has it that Benin have been existing for thousands of years.

It was said that around the year 900AD, groups of Edo people began to cut down trees and make clearings in the rainforest. 

At first they lived in small family groups and later on this groups of people developed into vast Kingdom.

in the early time the kingdom was called igodomigido and it was ruled by series of kings, known as ogisos, which means "rulers of the sky".

around the year 1100's there where great struggles for power and the ogisos who were the rulers then, lost control over the kingdoms.

The Edo people feared that their country would fall into bedlam, asked their neighbour, the king of Ife, for help. The king then sent his son prince Oranmiyan to restore peace to the Edo kingdom.

Later on Eweka the son of Oranmiyan became the first Oba of Benin. Eweka was the first in a long line of Obas, who reached the peak of their power in 1500s.

      How did Edo Became an Empire?

History has it that in 1440, Ewuare  became the new Oba of Benin.

He built up an army and started winning lands. he also rebuilt Benin city and the Royal palace.

Oba Ewuare  was the first of five great warrior king.

His son Oba Ozolua was believed to have won over 200 battles then followed by Oba Esigie who expanded his kingdom eastwards to form an empire and won land from the kingdom of ife.

The fourth warrior king was Oba Orhogbuo. During his reign, the empire reached it largest size. it stretched beyond the river Niger in the east and extended west as far as present day Ghana.

Oba Ehengbuda was the last of the warrior kings. But he spent most of his reign stopping rebellions led by local Chiefs. After his death in 1601, Benin's Empire gradually shrank in size.

By the 1800s the kingdom if Benin began to lose power and the Obas struggled to rule their people.

Now we have known about the history and how Benin became an Empire let talk about places of interest you might like to  visit. 

if you are around Africa, Asian, Europe and America and you would like to visit places this coming Christmas. why not travel down to Nigeria to see for yourself the beauty of Edo Benin.

Benin has lots of beautiful places, to see for yourself make sure to visit before the end of 2020.

Places of interest to visit in Benin

1. Okomu national park

Okomu National park is the smallest of the forest reserves in Nigeria with a forest that covers about 1,082sqkm. It holds a small fragment of the rich forest that once covered the region and it harbours many endangered species. 

One can find buffaloes, red river hogs, chimpanzees, leopards, bush baby, putty nosed guenon. porcupine, pangolins, duikers and antelopes at the park. 

Okomu national park is also a home for the white throated monkeys, which are very rare to see this days.

2. The Oba of Benin palace

The place is located in the heart of Benin city. It is one of the most popular sites to visit. I remembered when I visited there last year I felt the history of this ancient palace like it was yesterday, although the palace was destroyed and was later rebuilt.

The palace has been in existence since 900AD. The current structure was built in 1914, and is actually one -tenth of the original palace which was destroyed by the British forces. The palace has an array of local art and craft. No vacation in Benin is complete without visiting the Oba of Benin Palace.

3. The Benin moat

the Benin moat was built by Oba Oguola in the year 1280, the main purpose of the moat is to fortify the city from invaders. it is the largest man made earthwork in the world. Indeed, it predates the use of modern earth moving equipments or technology. 

 

The moat surrounds the perimeter of the city and was constructed as a defensive barrier in times of war.

This is also one of The amazing places you shouldn't miss.

4. Ososo Tourist center

 This was built by colonial masters in 1930 as a relaxation.

Ososo tourist center with it rocky hills, lush greens is a top choice destination for mountain climbers. picnic goers or nature enthusiasts. for people  keen on seeing the river Niger, the Osos tourist center also affords you that panoramic view from the top. 

5. The Emotan status

 The Emotan status was built in may 20, 1954. It is notable as a testament to the life and deeds of the woman that was Emotan.

The status is a monument built in honor of the kindness, love and bravery of the trader Emotan who once save the life of the king of Benin Oba Ewuare. 

This are the few places have visited around Benin.

There are more to see for yourself when you visit Benin city.

Don't miss it this 2020 come visit this amazing places with your family and love ones.