User talk:EKEKHEN COMMUNITY/sandbox

History of EKEKHEN
HISTORY OF EKEKHEN VILLAGE

The story of this place started during the war years (i.e. Oba Ewuare, 1440-1473; Oba Ozolua, 1483-1504; Oba Esigie, 1504 - 1550 and Oba Orogbua, 1550-1578)

When a group of traders moved out of the metropolitan city of Benin to found settlements probably on the war front to sell their wares to Benin soldiers. At that time, there was a large garrison of Benin warriors settled at Igueben from where they prosecuted the Idah war of 1515-1516. As a matter of fact, the trade route to the far north and towards Idoma area had to be kept opened in spite of the war and Ekekhen provided the answer then. As time went on, many of those in the out-lying villages like Emu, Uromi, Ogboha, Oria, and Irhue who either had grievances in the various villages or who found lucrative trade with the Benin soldiers, moved into the new settlement to establish their permanent homes. By the time of Oba Ahenzae, 1641-1661, Ekekhen had grown to a position of an independent village. It was at this Oba Ahenzae accorded it full recognition which enabled its people establish their corporate ancestral staff (Ukhure Edion) now housed at the village shrine.

Ekekhen is a typical village in Ishan area which has nearly everything the metropolitan Benin City has. Its festivals are the same as what you have in Benin City. Such festivals like Eho, Igue, Ewere are common features. Epko dance (masquerade) is performed in the like manner as you have in Benin City areas. Culturally, they left no stone untouched. Their family greetings which identify all Benin people with their family roots are common phenomenon in Ehekhen. Thus, many people in this village maintain their family greetings such as Lagiesan (which belongs to Ezomo family), Labo (commonly associated with Idunmwebo -Royal physicians and diviners), and Lavbieze (associated with Iyase family; this particular family greeting originated from Iyase N’Obodoiken who came to Benin from the Eze-Chima in and around Obbior area in Delta State).

Of the prominent leaders remembered in the settlement of this village are such people like AGAZUMA, N’Emamwen and Odukpaye. At present, Ekekhen has really grown out of a mere village to become a suburban settlement.Now have three quarters, viz: Ukpogo, Odeze, and Ukpo constituting the modern Ehekhen. Ukpogo is recognized as the first quarter and a superior leading. The paramount head of this town is the Odionwere who is in charge of the ancestral shrine. — with Noghama Oni and 5 others. EKEKHEN COMMUNITY (talk) 01:30, 14 November 2022 (UTC)