By Dr Christopher G. Okojie
The Traditional ruler known to Esan people is the Onojie (THE KING). Each was lord supreme of his community, owing allegiance only to the Oba of Benin before the advent of the British in 1900.
Out of respect, he was never called
by name but referred to as ERAMEN (My Father); his children
were known as IBHIERANMEN or IMIERANMEN (the children of my Father). In some
parts of Esan the Onojie was known as ERAMAN, (Our Father) sounding a bit too
much like Etsako!
After
the introduction of Islam particularly to Irrua in 1897 the word ZAKI which is
Hausa for Lion, was introduced and today every Esan Onojie is addressed as
ZAKI, although the Hausas call their King Sarki which maybe what ended in Esan
as Zaki. This over the years had eclipsed the usual Esan word ERAMEN, which is
a pity. With so many Natural Rulers not only in Esan but all over the country
being addressed as HIS HIGHNESS or even HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS after the British
left, these royal appellations are not only foreign but hackneyed. Many Enijie
are now trying to get something more original and befitting an Esan Ruler. It
is a well considered opinion that ERAMEN is not only customary but respectable
enough and Esan should go back to it like the Binis with their Omo N'ObaUku
Akpolokpolo. No other Benin Chief dare use it.
Thus
- Eramen Ehizojie,Onojie of Ogwa, or
Eramen Osifoh II, Onojie of Ewohimi.
No Esan chief whether hereditary or of the THANK-YOU type can be so addressed. This is better than being regaled in a foreign tongue with LION or worse still, SARKI or Zaki.
Eramen Osifoh II, Onojie of Ewohimi.
No Esan chief whether hereditary or of the THANK-YOU type can be so addressed. This is better than being regaled in a foreign tongue with LION or worse still, SARKI or Zaki.
ERAMEN TO ALL:
