…….(The Staff bearer might or might not be his son)
Circa: 1970s
Image Credit: Barbara Blackmun Collection/ National Museum of African Art
Ezomo of Benin is a title held by the supreme war chief in the ancient Benin Kingdom. The chief with the Ezomo title is the 3rd highest ranking chief in the Benin Kingdom. The title was initially awarded to any notable warrior in the Kingdom by the Oba of Benin.
However, during the reign of Ezomo Ehenua, the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Akenzua I, made the title hereditary to the Ehenua family. The Ezomo is known to live in Uzebu in a semi-independent state
THE EZOMO was the generalissimo of the Benin Army. Many of the EZOMO’s have been re-known warriors they delight in warfare as a hungry man delights in his food.
Apart from the Oba, Iyoba (Oba’s Mother) and the Edaiken (Oba’s heir) the EZOMO alone is permitted to wear a coronet of beads. His wives like the Oba’s are called Iloi and subject to similar restrictions and rules and roles of conduct.
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