Don’t mind our clickbait title: Adesuwa did not cause a war, if anything, she was the victim of a man’s ego and his inability to take no for an answer. According to legend, Adesuwa was a very beautiful woman and the daughter of the Ezomo N” Uzebu during the reign of Oba Akengbuda in 1752.
Adesuwa was so beautiful she was famous for it. I can only imagine how many songs Benin musicians wrote about her. Being that beautiful, she was betrothed to the Oba of Benin – obviously.
The Obi Comes to Town
There was this newly installed obi from a neighboring town called Ubulu-Uku who came to pay homage to the Oba. His name was Obi Olise. On this trip, he happened to visit the Ezomo and set eyes on Adesuwa.
Immediately Obi Olise saw her, he desired her. His brain started doing ancient calculus on how he will make her one of his numerous wives. He bought some goats from her and promised to give her the money for it later.
Even after many market days after, he refused to pay up. My own opinion is that he was a cheapskate. Historical accounts claim that this Obi used charms to lure Adesuwa to Ubulu-Uku. Despite many warnings, Adesuwa embarked on a journey to the Obi town – she was hell-bent on getting her money.
Read also: British Invasion of Benin in 1897
Adesuwa in Ubulu-Uku
When she got there, Obi Olise told her to forget about the money because he intended to make her his wife. Disgusted, as anybody in her position would be, Adesuwa insult the loincloth off the yeye Obi in front of all his chiefs.
Being a weak man, the enraged Olise instantly killed Adesuwa by beheading her with a machete. The maid who had accompanied her ran all the way back to Benin to tell people what the Obi had done.
Revenge
The Oba did not take news lightly and mobilized his army to subdue the Obi and have him equally beheaded. The troops were led by Imaran Adiagbon and Enogie Emokpaogbe the Agboghidi of Ugo.
After a war, Ubulu-Uku was sacked and the head of the Obi followed the warriors back to Benin. Historians liken the tragic story to that of Troy.
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