The House of Benin

[Crunchynacho]

Preface:​

I awake this morning like any other, in my bed, it was a nice bed, made of soft furs my great-grandfather procured to help my transition be easier. He took me in after my mother died of small pox during the dark years. He was a kind man at heart, never said an ill word of anyone, but he was always deep in his journal or out in the forests with some of the other family doing what he referred to as "research." I was always told never to speak of it.
I was told he started as his father's physician, and was a deeply spiritual man who made 4 pilgrimages in his life, on the first one is where I heard he met a man who taught him how to communicate with the spirits. Then the dark years came, the outbreak, the long war. So many people died. They say we finally have peace, but for how long?

My thoughts are interrupted by my great-grandfather's councilors.

 

[Cora Giantkiller]

Oh neat! I just finished a West Africa run.

 

[HistoryDude]

Sounds like it could be interesting...

Subbed!

 

[stnylan]

Nice place in the world to play

 

[Crunchynacho]

Oh neat! I just finished a West Africa run.

Sounds like it could be interesting...

Subbed!

Nice place in the world to play

Thank you all for your comments. This is my first AAR so I appreciate it. I have tomorrow off work so I'll be putting the final touches on the first chapter.

 

[Pied-Noir]

Well if this is your first AAR then good luck and may the old gods of Benin go with you. We'll be rooting for you!

 

[Crunchynacho]

The Coronation of Oba Adeniyi
Spring, 941

I was told who I was, that I descended from Bolade I but I was taught my mother would become Oba and one day, I would as well. I just didn't expect it so soon.

Today is the day, the day I make the ceremonial walk from the entrance into Benin City, through the city into the market square and into the Palace halls where I am to be crowned. I am brought by my great-grandf… I guess by my councilors, to the gates.

Before we start the march, High Shaman Afolabi Owodo announces
"Today we moun the passing of Bolade II, lifelong student of Ọ̀rúnmìlà, who joins the spirits of his ancestors but his Ori remains to guide Adeniyi I, Whom Bolade II, has chosen to be Oba of the Kingdom of Benin, High Chieftain of the Tribe of Benin and divine King of the Yoruba people in his place."
Is that who I am?

We start the walk through the city, many homes, made of mostly wood and earth, were square shaped and built in layered rings surrounding the center of the city where the palace could be seen. The roofs were made of palm branches, except the palace, which had one of wood.

People were along the road cheering…. cheering for ME? They don't know me, who i am, yet they cheer for my coronation.
We approach the market, no one has stands out today. It's filled with people, my people. We walk up the steps to the palace, I turn to look back to see everyone watching me…
is this real?
The doors to the Palace are opened, i see a path made in the center towards the throne of the chief of Benin, a path lined with various members of the court as well as chieftains who swore allegiance to serve the Oba. I approach the throne, My Chancellor motions for me to sit.
Afolabi comes up with the ceremonial crown of Benin. Bolade I certainly had expensive tastes when he commissioned it.
Afolabi speaks a blessing of the Orishas as he lowers the crown onto my head, and chieftains from the tribes came forward to bow and swear oaths of loyalty to the chosen ruler of the Yoruba and the Kingdom of Benin. I am Oba now… I am King.



After the ceremony I meet with members of the council. My mentor, Ayofemi, is there as she is also the Marshal. It helps to have a friendly face on the Council. Each advisor is informing me of tasks they were handling and information about their respective areas. It soon became apparent they were not asking for my input, they were just telling me what they were going to do. Ajapada Abimbola, my Chancellor and High Chieftain of Kwararafa, told me that I was young and for now I should lean on the advice of my council.

Later that year Ayofemi told me how the High Shaman executed a man for stealing from the shrine to an Orisha. Bolade may have thought this acceptable as it is an insult to the spirits but I think it was excessive.

942

Nearly a year since my Coronation Ayofemi brings me on a trip to the Chiefdom of Ibido where she's been assisting the Stabilization efforts after their tribe recently was brought into our Kingdom. We arrive to a cheering populace, just 5 years ago we concluded a decade long war with Queen Onyeka of Igbo-Benue to bring the tribes of the Igbo and Yoruba together and now they cheer for me, their Oba.

Late 942, the majority of my council and most powerful chieftains come before me to declare Larunnka, Grandson of Bolade II through his firstborn male heir and namesake, who is Nana of the Ancient city of Ife as the rightful King of Benin. Although I want to resist, I want to be Oba, perhaps this is not my time.
Larunnka approaches me
"You will retain all the land of the High Chiefdom of Benin and pledge your loyalty to me as King of Benin and no one need die in another pointless war."

Ayofemi advises me "patience but only temporarily"
This will not be the end of my story, but the beginning.
​

 

[stnylan]

Sometimes it is better to know when to fold

 

[Crunchynacho]

The Rise of Adeniyi I
942

My name Adeniyi, it means "the crown has honor," a name for an Oba not an Ajapada and yet here I am, with a name undeserved by its holder. Not yet at least, the Yoruba believe a person derives their destiny from their name, perhaps mine was misunderstood, my name was not to mean I would be born with a Crown and have Honor. My destiny is perhaps to seize my own crown and my own honor.

For now I have Chiefdoms to look after and I must select my new council.

Ayofemi, my mentor, stays with me as my Marshal as well as Afolabi Owodo, Shaman of Benin. For my Spymaster, I name my father Salman, there is no one i would trust more but Afolabi insists
"That if he, who is from the northern Soninke, can hold titles in the lands holy to the Yoruba he must convert to our ways."
My father agreed without issue, he has always had a bit of an ambitious nature, I'm told I take after him in that regard, and he was never the most devout man himself so he was more than happy to convert for a position on the Council.

An accomplished steward was found in Ifedapo who had an extensive education in the art of stewardship despite being of low birth and she was a native Yoruba from Benin City.

Mamoudou, of the house of Folona, a loyal champion to my Great-grandfather who remained loyal to his rightful heir, descends from Debegume, Chieftain of Nyene, a land now long conquered. He fought alongside my Marshal and Mentor Ayofemi in battle.

9 years ago
June, 934

Bolade II was known for his secret actions taken in the night, many rumors and whispers abounded speaking of ill deeds and dark magic but no one ever spoke publicly. But on this occasion his secrecy took him to the Tribe of Attie, a land very distant from the homelands of the Yoruba. Along this trip he brought only one other, Afolabi Owodo, High Shaman of the Kingdom of Benin.
"Bolade, we should make camp here for the night, should be able to make it by midday tomorrow"
"Agreed, the skies are clear tonight, be able to get a good view of the stars" he sighs, "I don't know how many more views like this I have left."
"Nonsense, the Great Oba Bolade survived invasions from larger Kingdoms, raids, the outbreak, I believe your destiny has yet a few more stories left in it"
Bolade lets out a slight laugh followed by a sigh "The outbreak, My wife perishes, and I recover from that terrible curse, destiny can be cruel at times Afolabi"
"Destiny is neither cruel nor kind, it is the road we walk our lives on, we do our best to follow the road when Eshu tries to push us off."
Bolade nodded his head and looked up at the stars
"If there is but one story left in my destiny, it must be that this meeting goes as planned"
"This isn't the only option, if this doesn't work..."
"Afolabi, please after all these years do not patronize me, she has fallen Ill, and if she ..." Bolade's voice cracks "If she dies, he will ascend before he has become aware of my father's Ori"
"Even you cannot forsee the future Bolade, we should rest, and tomorrow we will meet with Omanhene"




​

 

[Crunchynacho]

Sometimes it is better to know when to fold

Oh young Adeniyi isn't done yet I feel

 

[HistoryDude]

There is more than one way to expand. Perhaps, a marriage into the royal family can be arranged? And, then, some... accidents?

 

[Crunchynacho]

There is more than one way to expand. Perhaps, a marriage into the royal family can be arranged? And, then, some... accidents?

Omi yi iay’ a mon ee san gb’onen ee
A yoruba proverb meaning "the water that one is destined to drink will never flow past"
The Yoruba believe that a person's destiny is written when they are born and it is their goal in life to discover that destiny so they can fulfill it.
Adeniyi has a destiny, he doesn't yet know what it is but the pieces began moving long ago.

 

[stnylan]

"Even you cannot see the future"

Wise advice - will it be heeded?
Guess just going to have to read the next update (when it comes) to find out