In a significant historical revelation, scholars have traced the roots of the name 'Edo' to Prince Eweka, son of the renowned Prince Oranmiyan. Born to an Igodomigodo woman named Egor, Eweka was initially called 'Ado,' which means gourd, a name derived from a gourd he was born with hanging around his neck.
The people of Igodomigodo, later referred to as Ibinu or Ibini, encountered linguistic challenges and adapted his name to 'Edo.' Additionally, the term 'Owomika,' an appellation linked to Eweka, was transformed to 'Eweka' by the residents of 'Ile-Ibinu,' which translates to "land of vexation."
The name 'Ile-Ibinu' itself underwent further transformation, ultimately being mispronounced as 'Ibini' by the Igodomigodo people. Portuguese explorers later corrupted 'Ibini' to 'Benin.' This linguistic evolution reflects a tumultuous history marked by conquest. In 1170 AD, Prince Oranmiyan and his brother, Prince Afelogiyan, led an invasion that subdued the Igodomigodo people, ultimately establishing the region that is now known as Benin.
The conquest led to the imposition of Yoruba governance over the Igodomigodo kingdom, which they renamed 'Ile-Ibinu' under Prince Oranmiyan’s rule. Following the invasion, Prince Afelogiyan and other Yoruba companions, including a notable hunter named Oyebo, settled in a nearby town called 'Ife kekere' (now Usen). Their descendants continue to hold influence in the region.
Today, the legacy of Prince Oranmiyan persists through his descendants, who have ruled as the Oba of Benin since Eweka's time. The intersection of language, conquest, and cultural identity shapes the historical narrative of this region.
As scholars warn, "When history is dangerous, the past continues to haunt the present," underscoring the importance of understanding these historical events to foster a more accurate representation of heritage and identity in modern-day Benin.