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| the Story Of The Man Who Could Uproot Trees With his Bare Hands: Edo history. |
Arhuanran, also known as Prince Idubor, is a legendary figure from the history of the Benin Kingdom. His story is one of incredible strength, betrayal, and a fight for his rightful place as king.
Arhuanran was born to Oba Ozolua, a powerful king of Benin, and his wife Queen Ohonmi. On the same day, another of Oba Ozolua's wives, Queen Idia, gave birth to a son named Osawe. In those times, it was important for a baby to cry immediately after being born. Arhuanran did not cry right away, which was seen as a bad sign. Because of this, his birth was not reported to the king first. Osawe cried as soon as he was born, and the king declared him the firstborn and crown prince, even though Arhuanran was actually born earlier.
As Arhuanran grew up, he felt sad and angry about losing his birthright. He often asked his mother if the king was really his father because he couldn't understand why his father would deny him what was rightfully his.
Arhuanran became a great warrior known for his enormous strength. People said he could pull up palm trees with his bare hands. Despite his strength, his younger brother Osawe was chosen as the next king and was given special training by Portuguese missionaries instead of joining battles. Arhuanran, meanwhile, was made the Duke of Udo, an important town, but he was unhappy with this lesser role.
When Oba Ozolua died, Osawe became the new king, known as Oba Esigie. Arhuanran did not accept this and tried to make Udo the capital of the kingdom, declaring himself king. This led to a series of battles between the brothers.
Although Arhuanran was stronger, Queen Idia, Osawe's mother, helped her son with spiritual protection. To counter this, Arhuanran learned black magic from a sorceress, hoping to gain an advantage.
In their final battle, Arhuanran accidentally killed his own son, Oni-Oni, who had secretly joined the fight. Devastated, Arhuanran fought even harder, but he couldn't win. Realizing his defeat, he tried to flee. He had left a magical bell at home, which rang to signal his defeat. Hearing this, his wife jumped into a river and drowned. Heartbroken, Arhuanran also jumped into the lake Odighi, not wanting to be captured.
Arhuanran's coral bead necklace, a symbol of his authority, was found and worn by Oba Esigie. This caused Oba Esigie to go mad, and he was only cured by a Yoruba mystic. Today, many believe that Arhuanran's spirit still protects the town of Udo. The lake where he died is considered sacred, and it is forbidden to drink its water or harm its animals.........READ MORE
Arhuanran's story is a powerful Story from the Benin Kingdom, reminding us of the importance of justice and recognition. His legacy continues to be a part of Benin's rich history and culture, teaching valuable lessons to future generations.
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