24/10/2022
HISTORY OF ADA AND EBEN
The objects Ada and Eben are one of the most important symbolic identity of Esan people in Edo State, Nigeria. The two objects has been around for more than a thousand years.
It's not only used by the Esans. The Urhobos, Binis, Isoko, Esakos, Owans, Akoko Edo, Anioma and Onitcha Ado na Idu, use the objects as a symbol of authority.
The swords of authority was first invented during Ojiso Ere reign in the ancient kingdom, Igodomigodo by the Uneme stock. The Uneme were among the people that migrated along the Esans, Binis, Urhobo, Isokos, etc, from the Nok cultural zone. Around the Niger Benue Confluence area about 10,000 Years ago.
They are the people that specialises in melting Iron (blacksmith) for wars, farm and other purposes. They first settled in Akoko Edo and part of them moved southward to settled in Obadan and Iduigun in Igodomigodo. Overtime, they have evolved and pick different historic identity as migration happened.
The Agbede people in Esako, Igueben in Esan, significant percentage of Ugboha people in Esan, Anagbete in Esako, Blacksmith in Awka Anambra State, are all among Uneme stock. Some may have also migrated to Urhobos, Isoko and northern part of Delta State.
Ada and Eben are not restricted to kingship or chiefs in palaces of Esanland. Every male child is expected to have the ancestral ancient symbols, especially during in the time of ceremonies.
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