Ihievbe

Updated on Jan 23, 2024

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Ihievbe Town

Ihievbe (SEBE) is a town in Owan East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria, Africa with a population of approximately 50,000 people. It is part of the Afemai people in Edo State northern senatorial district. Geographically, it is between Auchi and Afuze. The name Ihievbe is common misspelled in Maps and some other literature as SEBE or ISEBE due to the inability of the White Man to pronounce the name IHIEVBE correctly . The people of Ihievbe speak Ihievbe language, a dialect of Edoid as the native language, and English as the common language. Ihievbe are Afemai people. As with the rest of Nigeria, there are two main religions, Christian and Muslim. The father of the house in Ihievbe is called ODAFEN. The subsistence of the people from Ihievbe is mostly based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The Traditional ruler, King, is referred to as the UKOR. Ihievbe is blessed with large vast of land and solid minerals, a very hospitable place to live in, rich in culture and they teach great moral values into their children from childhood.

Origin of Ihievbe

According to available ( almost generally accepted ) history, IHIEVBE was founded in the 15th century by OBOH who migrated from Edo ( Bini ) during the reign of great OBA OZOLUA n'Ibaromi (Ozolua the Conqueror). Oboh was a popular and proud native doctor whose full name is Ihievbe-obo ( aka "obo-nofievbe " meaning the tricky man of charms).

He vowed to locate and bring the runaway Prince Uwokhai back to Benin city . Although he was able with his magical power to locate the Prince about 100 km north of Benin, all his efforts to bring him back to the Oba Ozolua failed. Due to the failure, he dared not return to the terrible Oba. So he settled with his wife ( Okposo-ihievbe-obo ) nearby the Camp of Uwokhai in the caves of ' OTO-IDO ' the rocky land between the present UGBA and Ihievbe-ogben.

They had a large household consisting of direct children, grandchildren and even healed/delivered ex-patients who preferred to abide with the " Doctor " safely. This was the nucleus of the present day IHIEVBE.

Brief History Ihievbe

OBOH had Ojabor (Otua-Jabor), Ekhaigo, Ele and Ikhuohie (an adopted son that was used as payment having treated someone of fracture). The letter was corrupted as Ekhuohie. Ojabor was said to be the first son of Oboh but wandered away from home - not valuing the Birthright. At the time he realised what he would lose, EKHAIGO had already been accepted as the heir . Another school of thought has it that Ekhaigo was always pleading in tears not to take from him the right he was enjoying in Ojabor's absence; and Ojabor mercifully conceded; and therefore lost it.

According to Edo tradition, the eldest SON inherits the sole rights to rule over the household/empire of their late father. He automatically becomes the HEAD OF ADMIINISTRATION -physically and spiritually. He may delegate some duties/functions to other reliable near kinsmen for ease of operation and peaceful co-existence. So the progenitor of Ihievbe, OBOH tutored EKHAIGO, his heir as his eldest son on this tradition. Therefore, EKHAIGO inherited the authority to rule over the entire household of Oboh. He was occasionally associated in some cases by his brother ELE, hence the fetish idol name: "ELE-BI-EKHAIGO"

Ekhaigo also handed over the Birthright to his heir apparent, ABABA, his eldest son. This was in spite of the existence of other older men (uncles, cousins, and extended members of the large household. There was peace as it was in line with the unquestionable tradition.

Due to natural phenomenon, Ababa delayed to get a son. His first child (UWARHORE) was a female. He loved her so much that he would not allow her marriage outside the household. No one dared query Ababa; although there were gossips and evil wishes when the matured UWARHORE got pregnant in her father's home. It was considered a taboo and that she would die at childbirth. This apprehension gripped Ababa and Uwarhore when she was due to deliver. She eventually gave birth to a baby boy SAFELY! They rejoiced with the relief that the gods have vindicted them. So the boy was named "OKHIAI" meaning vindication.

ABABA gave birth to three sons OGWA-ERAN, ODUBI & URAAHIN in that order of seniority. So OGWA-ERAN the progenitor of UHUMOGWA was/is the eldest son of Ababa; while Okhiai the progenitor of AFEOKHIAI was the oldest male descendant of Ababa. The three young sons of Ababa grew up with their older uncle, Okhiai in the nuclear family of Ababa (IVBI-ABABA), but was wrongly identified as Iyaba. Okhiai has four(4) children namely – Uwadia, Ifa, Airuwujuan, and Ore.

OGWAERAN was preferred (though a minor) to Okhiai on spiritual and traditional matters; but Okhiai being older was preferred on physical matters generally. In this regard, there was peace as long as Ababa their father lived. The nuclear family of Ababa (IVBI-ABABA) are bestowed with the monarchy dynasty of the village, till date this tradition is keenly observed. The rulership goes round on rotation, as appointed by the ODION-UGWERE (the eldest man in the most senior age group alive) of IVBI-ABABA clan; and crowned by the most senior man (ODION) of IVBIATO family of EMABU clan. No other quarter can wear the crown of kingship in Ihievbe outside these noble quarters and EMABU quarters are the King maker.

There are 8 clans in Ihievbe, referred to as EKEN-AFEN. These are OTUA , IVBI-ABABA (IYABA), OKHUAMHE, UGBA, OGHUORHE, EKHUOHIE, EIMABU and IHIEVBE-OGBEN (SEBE-OGBEN). each of these clan are made up of various Quarters.

Ihievbe Age Group Festival

Iheivbe male youth within 20–23 years celebrates manhood festival called Ugogon every three years, this festival usher them into manhood stage where they can join in taking vital decision in the land. It starts with OTUA clan in December; OKHUAMHE, UGBA, OGHUORHE and EKHUOHIE clans in JANUARY of the preceding year; Ivbi-ABABA (IYABA) and EIMABU clans in FEBRUARY; and lastly IHIEVBE-OGBEN in MARCH.The festival span three months.

The participants would build a shade called 'Egwa' (a make-shift meeting place), where they congregate every market day or any time they agree to meet to make plans for the festival. It is also a forum to be merry and many relatives usually join and support them in merriment. Their age mates from other quarters could also visit them on such days as a sign of friendship and use the opportunity to know their mates in the various quarters of the community. During this period, participants are exempted from communal labor. They are the custodian of the community peace as anyone found violating the peace would be sanctioned by them. Preparation embarked upon within the three months include the procurement of 'asa', the traditional mat made of rafia palm, dried and tough enough to pose a challenge to the age group participants in their show of strength. Every participant is expected to have two or three asa preparatory to the grand final of the festival

Ihievbe Ugongon Festival

Ihievbe Ugogon festival

Ihievbe ugogon festival

Notable Sons of Ihievbe

Ihievbe Town has notable Sons and Daughters amongs whom are Late Lawrence Omage Oikhere (Pioneer headmaster Ivbele Primary School) Late Hon. Justice J. Omo-Eboh (Court of Appeal) Late Mr Albert Afegbai (formal CP Lagos, Force PRO 1989-1990); Late Mr Felix Musa (formal CP, Force PRO 1983-1985' 1985-1986); Late Alhaji A K Amu (Formal AFN president 1995-1997); Late Mr Haruna Agbonikhena formal National Labour Leader; Late Major. Thomas Emokhare Osifoh (Oc Military Police) Late Major Andrew Idonije. (intel. Officer) Late Lawrence O. IDONIJE (Builder) Hon Patrick Airenevboise OIKHERE (Former councellor and Author) Major Abraham Imakhu Senator Alhaji Yisa Bramiah. Engr. Umoru Mohammed Sule (Civil Engineer) Mr Dele Momodu (Ovation Magazine); Late Chief Dauda O. Arasah (Engr., JP, (Osumuwa of Ihievbe Kingdom))

References

Ihievbe Wikipedia

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