The first king of Benin Empire , The First King (Alaafin of Oyo Empire) and the Sixth King Ooni of Ile-Ife .. Are you astound about one Man who ruled Three Kingdoms ?
Undefeated Oranmiyan was a warrior who fought many wars and never lost any…Originally Last son of Oduduwa the Father of Yoruba kingdom.. Òrànmíyanjú (My problem is solved) was given to him by His father Oduduwa ..he’s also known as Òranyan ..He was trained by another War lord , A deity called “OGUN LAKAYE”.. His other name Odede signifies a great hunter, something which he was known to be throughout his early life in Ile Ife. He was also a great warrior like his two fathers. He was the first Odole Oduduwa (youth of the house of oduduwa) as he was a strong and outspoken prince of the Oduduwa lineage. His strength and talent in battle made him take up the role of defending Ife which had no standing military at the time as the first Akogun of Ife land ..
Oduduwa ooni of Ile Ife experienced his son war and military skills so he decided to sent his son Oranmiyan to Igodomigodo now (Benin).. Igodomigodo was the name given to the kingdom by a warrior Igodo, the first ogiso (King), who founded the first dynasty of what would later be known as the Benin Empire..Oranmiyan camped at a place called Use, meaning “making of a city” or “politicking”, and began to rule Benin from there..He seized the Land of Igodomigodo and crown himself the king of Benin after ruling for 13 years , The chiefs and people of Benin doesn’t like his foreign style of ruling and they sent agents to spy on him. All this made Oranmiyan declare that only a son of the soil could cope with the attitude of the Igodomigodo people. He called the land Ile – Ibinu, meaning “Land of Vexation”.
On leaving Ile-Ibinu (later Ibini, and corrupted to “Benin” by the Portuguese)
After leaving Benin at about 1190, where he had been crowned the first Oba of Benin his son Eweka became the second king of Benin empire because Oranmiyan was a product of a god .. this is why the king of Benin is known as god-king and the belief still holds till date
Oba Òranmiyan is a significant figure in Yoruba history, revered as a legendary king and warrior. He is often associated with the founding of several Yoruba kingdoms, including the city of Ife, and is considered a direct descendant of Oduduwa, the mythical progenitor of the Yoruba people.
Key Points About Oba Òranmiyan:
- Ancestry: Believed to be one of the sons of Oduduwa, Òranmiyan is part of the rich oral traditions that trace the origins of Yoruba nobility.
- Founding of Kingdoms: He is credited with establishing the Oyo Empire and is said to have played a key role in expanding Yoruba influence across the region.
- Warrior and Leader: Òranmiyan is celebrated for his bravery and military prowess, leading his people in battles and helping to secure their territories.
- Cultural Significance: His legacy is not just as a king but as a symbol of Yoruba identity and resilience. Many Yoruba festivals and traditions pay homage to him.
- Historical Accounts: While much of what is known about Òranmiyan comes from oral tradition, he is a prominent figure in Yoruba mythology and history, illustrating the blend of fact and legend in the region’s cultural narrative.
Oba Òranmiyan remains an important figure in understanding Yoruba heritage, reflecting the values of leadership, bravery, and cultural pride.