Chapter 2: Benin’s Shadow, Oyo’s Challenge

And if you feel say Benin na only local champion, na lie o.

The matter shock Europeans wey come trade. Some go dey reason say Benin na the only place dem dey fear to enter without correct escort. Even slave dealers dey walk gently, no fit flex muscle anyhow. Local chiefs dey rush arrange gifts before Oba soldiers land, nobody wan test Benin wahala.

That time, British for Gold Coast, French for Dahomey, even Dutch and other Europeans dey respect Benin well.

Na why if you see European map for that period, dem dey draw Benin with big letters, sometimes even bigger than Oyo or Dahomey. For Gold Coast, British consuls dey send letter home, warn their people: 'Make una no provoke Benin o!' E show say respect no be for mouth.

First, Benin dey buy plenty weapons from them; second, their army strong reach to affect their own wahala for the region.

Any ship wey reach Benin port, na to offload gun first before dem talk pepper or cloth. Even when Oyibo man try do anyhow, Oba go just send his war canoe men go block river. Dem dey always ready—if trouble dey, na Benin dem call to settle am. Their power reach the level wey other kings dey try copy their style.

This na the most powerful dynasty for Benin history—the Oba Eresoyen Dynasty. Wetin make dem stand out na 'war discipline': everybody for the kingdom dey ready for fight, discipline tight, equipment beta.

Oba Eresoyen no dey play with war matter. Every dry season, he dey do big festival—Ugie Edohia—where all the warriors go show their skill for open ground, display new weapon, renew oath before ancestors. Even small children for palace dey learn how to hold spear and shield. All na to keep discipline tight, make Benin never fall.

After dem don scatter almost all the Niger Delta and Yoruba land, Benin no get serious enemy again. Na so dem face their last big rival—the Oyo Empire.

E come reach time wey no kingdom remain wey fit challenge Benin, except Oyo. Oba Eresoyen gather his chiefs, talk say: 'Na only Oyo remain for map, we go show them say Benin na king for real.' So, the two elephants prepare for clash, and all the land dey wait.

As e be, dem wan test who go remain as 'oga kpata-kpata' for West Africa.

For oba palace, big chiefs dey argue, young men dey polish weapon, old women dey pray for their sons. For Oyo, same level—war drums dey sound for Alaafin’s compound, people dey stock food, shrine priests dey do midnight sacrifice. Old women dey gather, chanting, “Sango, gba wa lowo ota wa!” (Sango, save us from our enemies!) Everybody wan know who go wear the crown of 'oga kpata-kpata.'

For early rainy season 1762, Benin army land.

The sky still dey grey, rain dey drizzle as Benin men cross border. Dem move quiet at first, but as dem reach Oyo villages, na so dem begin collect tribute, seize goats, chickens, even young men and women. Some chiefs try resist, dem collect slap and warning. For Oyo side, fear begin spread like harmattan fire.

Dem begin collect the so-called 'tribute' from local chiefs for Oyo border, plus dem dey carry people and property anyhow.

Anytime Benin go one village, dem go demand kolanut, cow, or silver coin as sign of submission. If chief no comply, dem go carry am go Benin, tie for palace gate. Some say even Oyo border girls begin hide, no wan fall hand for Benin men. Property wey dem carry, na to show Oyo say Benin no dey joke.

That time, Oyo army for Benin-Oyo border small—just some royal guards for 'Eight Paths of Iseyin,' not even reach 500 soldiers.

Those guards, na mostly young men, new for war, dem no reach to face Benin force. Some even dey learn work as hunter before dem drag dem join soldier. If you see dem that time, na worry full their face; dem dey pray say make help show from city.

So, from that time, Benin dey treat Oyo border like ATM, dey come collect as dem like.

Na every market day, Benin men fit show face. Sometimes na just to collect tax, other times na to flex muscle. For Oyo side, people dey grumble—'Abi we no get king again?' But fear dey their mouth, make Benin spies no hear.

Omo, Oyo central council no fit ignore am again.

Oyo elders, the Oyomesi, begin gather, dey beat their chest, talk say enough is enough. For palace, messenger dey waka round with cow tail, whispering news from border. Everybody dey vex, but dem dey fear the kind beating Benin go give if dem rush fight.

For 1765, Alaafin Abiodun tell Bashorun Gaha, make him fight back.

Alaafin Abiodun call Bashorun Gaha for midnight, give am sacred yam and bitter kola—sign say war don come. Gaha, strong man with scar for face, bow for king, promise say Oyo go rise again. From that moment, palace dey hot like firewood soup.