He was the first King of Benin who ascended the throne with the title Esigie in about 1504. Trade in Ivory, Benin Cloths and beads. etc flourished between the Benin kingdom and Portugal. Although Obas Esigie was the first Leader in the West-African Sub-Region to establish diplomatic relationship with a European Country and his son was the first accredited African envoy to Portugal court. Traditional history also recalls how the europeans had tried in vain during his reign to gain access into the hinderland which they suspected to be very rich in natural resources. But the powerful king of Benin gave a capital NO to their request. Onitsha - a city in the eastern part of Nigeria was founded by his people. His mother Idia, was the famous warrior Queen immortalized in the brilliantly carved face mask adopted as the symbol of FESTAC.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 20:04:57 +0000
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