Why Ora People Don't Bow To Oba Of Benin
WHY ORA PEOPLE DON'T BOW TO OBA OF BENIN It was recorded that Okpameh (also called Uguan) the son of Oba Ewaure left the Benin kingdom after he was banned for commiting murder. He went up to Northern part and settled at a particular place he named Odorlerene (somewhere at the present day Ora). Okpameh was a very powerful and renowned hunter, who was respected for killing dreaded Leopard (Ekpen), (see attached photo). He took a wife an Uokha Lady who bore him a Son he named Ora Ekpen (because of the circumstances surrounding his birth). Ora Ekpen later bore sons that make up the communities in today Ora. Okpameh later received information of the death his brother who before then was the Oba of Benin. It was told that the brother died without an heir to the throne. The elders of Benin kingdom sent messages to Okpameh to come over and to takeover the throne. Okpameh who initially declined the offer eventually agreed after many pleadings and some signs. Okpameh departed for Benin and left his son Ora Ekpen behind. Okpameh was then crown Oba of Benin and was named Oba Ozolua. This made every Ora descendant a prince thereafter. Oba Ozalua died some years later. At his burial, his first son Ora Ekpen insisted that he would take the body of his father to his Odorlerene, but his younger brother the crown prince Esigie objected and stated that the body must be buried in Benin. After much debate, it was resolved that the body of Oba Ozolua should be buried within the Oba palace in Benin, however Ora Ekpen would maintain his position of seniority. This position includes but not limited to Ora Ekpen and his descendant not bowing to the Esigie (Oba elect) descendants. This was sealed from that day, and remains so till today. Compiled by: Elabor Joe Agbebaku
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