Ife origin

This is a popular theory which not only applies to Uneme, but to the whole 'Edo' peoples. It claims that the ancestors of the Uneme originated from Ile-Ife. It says that those known now as Uneme, trace their descent from Ile-Ife. Their great-grandfather who is among the founders of Ile-Ife, was called Oludare. He was a Blacksmith by occupation. Oludare was very stout, physically handsome and had a commanding appearance. Owing to his generosity, he was loved by all and sundry.

The theory then goes on to claim that the Uneme people in Ile-Ife later came into contact with ancient Benin and played significant roles in the early leadership politics that emerged in the area during the period.

This contact is said to have been established through the influence of Oranmiyan who was Oduduwa's son during the movement to establish leadership in the Kingdom of Benin from Ile-Ife. Oranmiyan is said to have included in his entourage, a very close friend called Ogundare, who was the son of the above named Oludare. They got to the Benin Kingdom in 1200 A.D, and then Prince Oranmiyan became the Oba of Benin. Not long after, Ogundare married Oranmiyan's sister, who gave birth to a baby boy, named Ogun, pronounced 'Igun' in Benin.

The story continues, It is said that at this time, the Benin People were very wicked and heartless. They committed lots of atrocities, killing people brutally for example. In view of these, the two friends, Oranmiyan and Ogundare decided to go back to Ile-Ife. When the Benin People heard of their plan to go back, they appealed strongly to them to stay, but the friends were bent on going. The Benin people finally realized that their attempts to persuade them was failing, so they specifically demanded that Ogundare should be left behind because of his rare and highly utilitarian metal craftwork. This art of Iron technology and the various metal crafts that were produced by operators of the blacksmithing industries especially for weapons of war were well value and appreciated by the Bini at the time that was why they insisted Ogundare stay behind. The Bini felt, that was the only way to protect Eweka, Oranmiyan's son who was to be left behind as Oba.

They then agreed to the plan. Oranmiyan went back to Ile-Ife while Ogundare and his entourage were left behind. When Eweka was mature, He was installed as Oba of Benin meanwhile, Ogun son of Ogundare was installed as Ogieniromo of Benin.

Soon after, Oba Eweka married a beautiful Bini damsel. She gave birth to a vey beautiful girl named Inemi which means 'It is not forbidden to have a female as one's first child' She had other children amongst whom are; Idu, Olumuza, Omorodion. Ogun on the other hand also got married to a lady who gave birth to a male child named Ogunola. Ogunola grew up to become very powerful. The Oba was impressed by Ogunola's power and physical handsomeness so He offered Ogunola his daughter Inemi for marriage. The Oba even nicknamed Ogunola as 'Egbuna. After they were married, Inemi got pregnant and because of the prevailing circumstances, (the need of an heir to the throne, seeing that Inemi could not ascend the throne, being female.) An oracle was consulted to predict the sex of the child/children expected. The oracle indicated that she had twin male children, this disturbed them greatly because it was still an abomination in Benin to have twins. They tried offering sacriices to appease the gods to change the outcome but to no avail.

When Inemi finally gave birth, to hide the identity of the twins, the Oba gave one of the boys to a female slave who had just given birth and took her own child for sacrifice. He warned the slave to take great care of the child and when he gets older, He would work in the palace.

The child left with Inemi was named Imiava by Ogun. Imiava means 'Twins' in Uneme. Inemi gave birth again, this time to a boy who they named, Okaku meaning literally that it is good to marry an honourable husband. The next child was also a boy, named after one of the Diviners as Akpero. After this, she had two other boys; Ozenua and Osorchinameh.

Basically, this theory says, the Uneme people come from Ogun's son, but the name 'Uneme' was adapted from Eweka's daughter's name Inemi.

Reference

Asimiafele, Unemhe: Our Heritage
Harunah, A Cultural History of the Uneme

Itegboje, The History and Tradition of Uneme