— By Matthew Okoidegun
A Tale of Oba Ozolua
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Benin, there was a great king named Oba Ozolua, known as the Conqueror.
His bravery in battles earned him the title “Ozolua the Conqueror,” making him a hero to the people. During his rule from 1483 to 1514, the kingdom flourished, and he became a symbol of strength and protection.
Oba Ozolua had two sons, Osawe and Arhuanran. Due to a cultural tradition, Osawe was declared the first son and crown prince, leaving Arhuanran as the second son. This created a sense of injustice for Arhuanran, who constantly felt sad about being denied his rightful place.
In the past, tragedy struck when two of Oba Ozolua’s sons were kidnapped during the slave trade. To address this, the king reinstated the tradition of the first son succeeding to the throne. Osawe became the Oba-in-waiting, and Arhuanran, now the Duke of Udo, struggled with his subordinate role.
As time passed, Arhuanran grew into a powerful warrior, while Osawe focused on education rather than combat. After Oba Ozolua’s passing, Osawe became Oba Esigie, leading to a conflict with Arhuanran, who refused to accept a subordinate role.
The brothers engaged in three battles, resulting in Udo’s defeat in the final confrontation. Arhuanran, unaware that his son, Oni-Oni, had joined the war, accidentally killed him. Returning home, he discovered his wife’s tragic fate and, overwhelmed by grief, jumped into a lake, leaving his symbol of authority behind.
Oba Esigie, seizing Arhuanran’s necklace, suffered mental disorientation. Seeking help from a Yoruba mystic, he was cured, and the mystic settled in Benin. Legend has it that Arhuanran’s spirit protects Udo, who wanders the town at night. The lake where he supposedly met his end remains sacred and forbidden to touch or drink from, preserving the mystical legacy of Benin’s past.
