Have you ever heard the incredible tale of General Asoro? Well, he made Jackie Chan and Jet Li look like complete amateurs with his amazing moves on the battlefield. Join us to learn about this great General of the Benin Empire.
Who Is General Asoro?
General Asoro is one of the most remarkable historical figures in the Benin Kingdom. He is not one you can forget in a hurry. I mean the guy was dope and the kind of person people make biopics about. Lemme tell you about him.
Asoro was one of the most outstanding warriors who fought gallantly during the Benin-British War. You know, that time in 1897, when the oversabi British decided to invade Benin for no good reason. Anyway, he led other warriors in resisting the entry of British invaders into Benin City.
British Invasion
Y’all have seen the Imasuen film, you know the story. Anyway, the short story is that the British Army, in supposed retaliation for having some of their people killed, waged war against the Benin Empire. Benin did not sit in their aga crying for help from the One Above though, they got ready, and in the battlefront were valiant soldiers, one of which was Asoro.
Now, Asoro is famous for saying: “no other person dare pass this road except the Oba”, which roughly translates in Edo language as So kpon Oba. This, Sokponba or Sakponba, is a popular street in Benin City, BTW.
General Asoro fought off the British invasion for five solid days by defying blazing guns and charging like a madman into their midst to kill and mutilate the arrogant British. Asoro, who was completely soaked in world-class magic, would not submit to a gun or knife. Both his enormous broadsword and his deadly poisoned arrows struck their targets with terrible accuracy all around. In fact, he didn’t leave any of the enemy groups until every opponent had died as they deserved to.
Asoro’s Weakness
As bullies do when they encounter resistance, the British had to have been peeing their unisex trousers. They sought information about this renowned fighter’s vulnerability. One existed. For Asoro to survive, he had to meet one requirement. It was that he must avoid looking behind him no matter what.
However, on the fifth day, Asoro saw that the quiver of arrows that hung from his shoulder appeared to have been taken as he was engaged in combat. He searched to the right and to the left without success. Being under constant pressure from all sides, he looked behind. What he saw was Ofoe, known as “the messenger of death”. Finally, he was defeated after days of fighting.
His statue was built in Benin City’s Oba Ovonramwen Square, near the beginning of Sakponba Road, to honor his valor. Tradition has claimed that’s where Chief Asoro passed away.
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