THE Ibiwe is the third Palace Society which is responsible for the care of Oba’s harem. It is said that the Ibiwe trace their origin to the time of Prince Okpamen (later known as Oba Ozolua) who brought them from Ora. They were reported to have assisted the Prince in his struggle to ascend the throne of Benin. When Prince Okpamen became Oba Ozolua, these loyal associates were at first quartered at Eyaen but were later brought to live in Benin City. Because of their loyalty they gained the appellation Agobo-ehpen meaning “the left hand of the leopard’ for the Oba used these loyalists to strike his enemies, in the same manner a leopard does with its left paw. During the time of Oba Ehengbuda (e. 1578 A.D.) it was decided that the monarch should visit Eko (Lagos) which was then a part of the Empire. The Oba then requested both the Iwebo and Iweguae societies to accompany him on the visit and they whole-heartedly agreed to accompany the Oba anywhere. Oba Ehengbuda having convinced himself of their loyalty, commanded the members of the Ibiwe Society to remain in Benin to take care of his wives and children. This was the beginning of the ¡biwe’s connection with the Oba’s harem. In due course, the Ibiwe was elevated to the status of a Palace Society by Oba Akenzua I who reigned (c. 1713-1735 A.D). The lne was placed ‘as head of the society even though the Osodin still kept the responsibility of heading the Eruserie whose duty among others is to serve and case for the iloi (Oba’s wives) and children. While the administrative powers of the harem lies with the Osodin, the Uso remains the executive head of that section. Furthermore, the titles in Ibiwe are in three parts namely:
Eghaevbo N’Oghe
Ekhaemwen-Uko
Affiliated Guilds.
The following titles belong to the Ibíwe Palace Society:
No
TITLE
CREATED BY
REMARKS
Ine
Osodin
Obazuaye
Obahiagbon
Obamwonyi
Obayuwana
Aiyobagiegbe
Obaradesuwa
Obarogiuwa
Uso N’lbiwe
Ezuwako
Obazuwa
Oba Akenzua I (c 1713-1735 AD)
Oba Ewedo(c 1255-I2S0 AD)
Oba Akengbuda (c 1750- 1 804 AD)
Oba Adolo (c 1848-1588 AD)
Oba Ovonrawen(c 1888-1914 AD)
Oha Ovonramwen (c 1888-1914 AD)
Oba Eweka II (c 1914-1933 AD)
Oba Akenzua II (c 1933-1978 AD)
Ob. Akenzua II (e 1933-1978 AD)
Oba Ewedo (c 1255-1280 AD)
Oba Esigie (c 1504-1550 AD)
Oba Osemwende (c1816-1848 AD)
Head of Ibiwe
Head of Eruerie
•It must be pointed out that Eruerie just one of the department in Ibiwe Society. EKHAEMWEN UKO IN (IBIWE)
Oba Akenzua I (c. 1713-1735AD)
Oba Eweka I (c . 1 200- 1 235 AD)
Oba Esigie (c. 1504-1550 AD )
Oba Ewuare (c . 1 440- 1 473 AD)
Oba Eresoyen(c. 1735-1750 AD)
Oba Ewuare (c. 1440-1473 AD)
Oba Adolo (c.1848-1888 AD)
Oba Adolo (.1848-1888 AD)
Oba Osemwende (c.1816-1S48 AD)
Oba Eweka II(c.1914-1933AD)
Oba Akenzua (c.1933-1978 AD)
Oba Eweka II (c.1914-1933 AD)
Oba Akenzua II (c.1933-1978AD)
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Oba Ohuan (c. 1606-1641 AD)
In charge of Iwaramwen.
He is the Royal butcher
AFFILIATED GUILDS TO IBIWE
As mentioned earlier, each of the guilds was affiliated to a Palace Society. As each guild had its special function to perform, the nature of its services determined the Palace Society to which it was affiliated. Thus for example, Igbesamnwan, the guild of carvers, was affiliated to the Iwebo Palace Society because its products were regarded as part and parcel of the Oba’s regalia which fell under the care of that Palace Society. The Ewaise who were the Oba’s doctors
were and are still affiliated to Iweguae Society because the Iweguae takes responsibility for Oba’s personal and private care. Similarly, the guild (Ibieriye) which cares for the maintenance of buildings in the harem was affiliated to Ibiwe because of the nature of the services to the harem. The guilds associated with the Ibiwe Society are as follows:
(a) Ivbiemezi.
The Ivbieniezi claim to have come with Oranmiyan during the first restoration of monarchy in 1200 AD. It is said that this guild is more of a fertility cult than a real guild. The head of the guild is the Odionwere.
(b) Ogunimwenfo
Although it really belongs to the Igun-Ematon headed by Ine N’ Igun N’Ekhua, the special functions relating to the harem brought it within the Ibiwe Palace Society. It is headed by an Odionwere.
(c) Ibieriye
This guild performs special duties in the palace harem. It is unique in the sense that its members could not marry outside their guild unless a certain purification ceremony was performed. The head of the guild is an Odionwere.
(d)Iwehiaze
The guild functions during the Ague festival. The members have a separate apartment in the Palace called Ogua.
(e)Iriemila
The members of the guild claim to have originally come with Prince Oranmiyan from Uhe (Ife). Whether this claim is true or not, the relevant point is that they take care of Oba’s cattie. The head of the guild is an Okao.
(f)Iwenoga
The guild was created by Oba Ehengbuda. Its members are the priests of the harem. The guild is headed by the title-holder, Olotu.
