Ogiso is the name used by the people of Igodomigodo or (Ugodomigodo) to refer to the institution and first dynasty of rulers beginning approximately around 900–950 AD or the mid tenth century. The name variously translates to mean 'King from the sky', 'King of the sky', or 'King of heaven'. Broken down, the word is coined from the article pieces -Ogie; the Edo word for king, and -Iso; the Edo word for sky. Early traditions narrate that these early kings (Ogie) descended from heaven. The first of them, Igodo (or Obagodo), is believed to have been a stranger from the sky because of his immense wisdom. Not much is known about the reign of the Ogisos compared to the era of the Obas, and the period is often said to be of a semi-mythical or legendary nature.

The exact number of Ogisos that reigned have varied since the inception of written Benin history. Ademola Iyi-Eweka records a list of fifteen Ogisos ending with Owodo in 1998. Before him, pioneer Edo historian Jacob U. Egharevba had recorded a varying number of Ogisos in different editions of his popular and widely celebrated work; A Short History of Benin. However, In his fourth and final edition published in 1968, the Ogisos had eventually settled on fifteen in number with their names and functions detailed.

Since the earlier authors, another Benin writer S.B Omoregie (1997) has developed the list to 31 Ogisos and furnished all thirty one with names and precise dates of rule. Although he doesn't explain or account for how he arrived at the dates ascribed to each ruler, his publication keeps the time period of the Ogiso dynasty within the established timeline (900 CE – 1130 CE) and it includes very detailed information on the lives and times of some of the rulers. Chief Osemwegie-Ero (2003) maintained the list of 31 Ogisos but backdates the beginning of the dynasty to 40 BCE instead. He also used precise dates for the reigns of each member in his publication and doesn't explain how the two introduced date novelties were concluded. His work was published to mark the centenary of the Benin Expedition, 1897–1997.

The next twenty anteceding Ogisos starting with Akhuankhuan were not chosen based on consanguinity (blood relationship) but on personal abilities. Eventually however, the dynastic transmission model seem to have been restored again for the reign of the last eight members. Common to most of the lists are the first three rulers, starting with Obagodo (the pioneer), Ere (the second and most revered) and Orire (the third ruler). Udo is believed by a segment of the Edo population to have been the first capital of the land and that Igodo first descended from the sky and governed Udo for twenty five years before moving to Benin, while others yet believe the original site of Igodo's palace was situated in Ugbekun.

The Ogiso were assisted by a group of seven nobles called the Uzama. During the reign of Ogisos, Edo lands were called 'Igodomigodo' and they had administrative centers or capitals Udo, Ugbekun, and later on Ore-Edo now Benin City. Many observers have described the system of government in Igodomigodo as one best described as a Supra-chiefdom or Complex chiefdom, and the line of rulers were not an actual dynasty in the real sense. Community autonomy was given to each community by the Ogiso during their reign.

List of the Ogiso, Egharevba 1933–1968 Below is a consolidated list of Ogisos that reigned in Benin which appear in all of Egharevba's works from the first to the fourth and final edition. He lists his informants and sources in his book. Name Reign Ogiso Igodo (Obagodo) .900AD Ogiso Ere – Ogiso Orire – Ogiso Akhuankhuan – Ogiso Ekpigho – Ogiso Oria – Ogiso Emose – Ogiso Orhorho – Ogiso Oriagba – Ogiso Odoligie – Ogiso Uwa – Ogiso Heneden – Ogiso Obioye – Ogiso Arigho – Ogiso Owodo .1100s

Alternative list of the Ogiso, S.B Omoregie 1997 This is an alternative list of Ogisos that reigned in Benin based on the work of chief S.B Omoregie. The period for the reign of the Ogiso monarchy is placed between c.900 AD and 1130 AD with thirty one Ogisos listed. He does not explain how the dates for the reigning period of each Ogiso was arrived at.

Name Reign Ogiso Igodo 900–925 Ogiso Ere 925–960 Ogiso Orire "The Young" 960–1000 Ogiso Odia 1000–1001 Ogiso Ighido 1001–1002 Ogiso Evbobo 1002–1005 Ogiso Ogbeide "The proud eagle" 1005 Ogiso Emehen "The oraculist" 1005–1009 Ogiso Akhuankhuan 1009–1011 Ogiso Ekpigho 1011 Ogiso Efeseke 1012–1019 Ogiso Irudia 1019 Ogiso Odion 1020 Ogiso Etebowe 1020–1022 Ogiso Imarhan1023–1024 Ogiso Orria1024–1025 Ogiso Emose (Possibly female)1026–1029 Ogiso Ororo (Possibly female)1029–1030 Ogiso Irrebo1030–1036 Ogiso Ogbomo1036–1040 Ogiso Agbonzeke1040–1044 Ogiso Ediae1044–1050 Ogiso Orriagba1050–1070 Ogiso Odoligie1070–1085 Ogiso Uwa1085–1095 Ogiso Ehenneden1095–1110 Ogiso Ohuede1110–1112 Ogiso Oduwa1112–1119 Ogiso Obioye1119–1121 Ogiso Arigho1121–1125 Ogiso Owodo1125–1130

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References

External links edo-nation.net