Kingship and the Founding of Onitsha: Origin of Onitsha and Its Connection to the Benin Kingdom

Introduction

The origin of Onitsha and its deep-rooted connection to the Benin Kingdom is one of the most fascinating historical narratives in southeastern Nigeria. This story traces back to Eze Chima, a legendary figure whose migration from Benin laid the foundations for what would become the great kingdom of Onitsha.

Origin of Onitsha: The Ancestral Link

The ancient town of Onitsha, located on the eastern banks of the River Niger, holds a royal legacy that intertwines with the powerful Benin Kingdom. Its foundation is more than myth—it reflects a dynamic history of migration, political formation, and cultural fusion. At the heart of this story is Eze Chima, the founding father of Onitsha, whose journey from Benin set the stage for one of southeastern Nigeria’s most influential towns.

Tradition holds that Eze Chima was a prince or noble from Benin who fled the kingdom following internal strife or rebellion. He and his followers crossed the River Niger, settling on its eastern bank. With them came not just their belongings but their customs, political organization, and a royal legacy that would forever shape Onitsha’s identity.

Eze Chima and the Benin-Onitsha Exodus

The origin of Onitsha traces back to a group of migrants led by Eze Chima, believed to be a rebel or dissenter from the ancient Benin Kingdom. Conflicts within the Benin royal palace, possibly during the reigns of kings like Agboala (Ogwola) or Esigie in the 15th or 16th century, forced Chima and his followers to flee eastward.

They crossed the River Niger and initially settled near Oze before finally founding what is today known as the Inland Town of Onitsha. This migration was not merely a relocation—it represented the transplantation of Benin’s royal traditions into a new Igbo environment.

As the group crossed the River Niger, they faced the need to establish new leadership. Fearing that local Igbo groups might be forewarned of their approach, they destroyed their gongs—symbols of royal authority—before crossing. Oreze, however, cleverly preserved Chima’s royal gong by hiding it and disguising it upon arrival.
When it came time to select a new king, the contest was simple: whoever could reproduce the royal gong’s tone would be crowned. Oreze, having preserved the original, emerged as the victor. Thus began a tradition that would anchor kingship within the lineage of Eze Chima, birthing the noble houses of Umu Dei (Umudim) and Umu Eze-Arole—collectively known as the Eze Chima Clan.

The Founding of Onitsha and Its Connection to the Benin Kingdom

The origin of Onitsha and Benin Kingdom not only shaped southeastern Nigeria but laid the path for Igbo rulership structures.

The new settlers displaced the Igbo of Oze and established Onitsha Inland Town. Though they eventually intermarried and fused with local Igbo-speaking communities, the royal migrants retained significant aspects of their Benin heritage. This fusion led to a unique cultural identity that blends Igbo language and traditions with vestiges of Benin’s political customs.

The Ritual Role of the Obio Kindred

Ritual and kingship remained sacred. The Obio kindred, believed to have migrated alongside Eze Chima’s followers, were entrusted with the ritual shaving and consecration of kings—a role steeped in spiritual authority and symbolic of ancient Egyptian and Nigerian royal practices.

Tracing Historical Timelines: 1400s to 1700s

Historians disagree on the exact timeline of the migration. Some place it during the reign of Oba Ogwola (c. 1400–1430) or Esigie (early 1500s) of Benin. Others link the exodus to internal conflicts in Benin around 1702, as documented by Dr. Talbot and other British colonial historians.

What’s more compelling is the continuity of identity: two districts within modern-day Onitsha—Obio and Obangkpa—are believed to trace their names and roots to the migrant settlements of Obbior and Abongpa.

Onitsha’s Early Relationship with Neighbouring Communities

Despite its strong political structure, Onitsha’s influence over surrounding Igbo communities remained informal. Neighbouring towns like Obosi, Nkpor, Ogidi, and Umunya recognized the Onitsha king’s prestige and often gave tributes or received titles—but they were never under his direct rule.

Interestingly, early British explorers and missionaries noted that Onitsha may have once been subordinate to the Aboh Kingdom (Agbor), which itself was a former Benin outpost. In fact, by the 1840s, Aboh’s (Agbor) Obi claimed Onitsha as rebellious territory.

How the Origin of Onitsha and Benin Kingdom Shaped Identity

Eze Chima was not just a leader—he was a kingmaker. Upon arriving on the eastern bank of the Niger, Chima and his group encountered and eventually merged with indigenous Igbo-speaking communities and later some Igala settlers. The group brought with them sophisticated Benin cultural practices, including centralized kingship.

After Chima’s death, his son Oreze was chosen as king in a fascinating episode involving a royal gong. Fearing spies might alert the locals, and the migrants destroyed their gongs before crossing the river. Oreze secretly preserved his father’s gong, redecorated it, and presented it as new. Its recognizable tone secured him the kingship.

The Rise of the Inland Town

With Oreze as king, the Inland Town of Onitsha began to flourish. The settlement became a melting pot of cultures and a spiritual seat for new political structures. Titles and rituals were formed to stabilize the monarchy. For example:

• The Ascle kindred was given the right to bestow the royal ọfọ (symbol of kingship).

• The Obio group performed ceremonial rites such as shaving the king and preserving a royal hair-lock—an ancient symbol of power.

Over time, kingship was restricted to the royal lineages of Umu Dei and Umu Eze-Arole, forming the core of the Eze Chima dynasty.

Colonial Encounters and Transformation

The turning point came in 1856 when the Church Missionary Society (CMS) established a base at Onitsha, introducing Christianity and Western education. By the mid-19th century, Onitsha began to attract European traders and missionaries. The Church Missionary Society and firms like Macgregor Laird opened trading posts in Onitsha. This sparked major changes:

• Colonial courts were set up to protect foreign traders.

• Christianity spread rapidly.

• The Royal Niger Company later took control before handing power to the British Crown in 1900.

Over time, the Waterside area of Onitsha grew, attracting Hausa, Yoruba, and Sierra Leonean settlers. The Inland Town’s population declined, while the Waterside became a hub of commerce and diversity.

Colonial Intrusions and Regional Power Struggles

By the 1800s, colonial records showed friction between Onitsha and neighbouring Aboh. The Obi of Aboh claimed jurisdiction over Onitsha—claims which Onitsha leaders strongly denied. Despite British acknowledgement of Aboh’s regional dominance at the time, Onitsha remained fiercely independent

The Rise of Education and Cultural Integration

With colonial administration came formal education. By 1931, Onitsha Province had 11 government schools and 74 assisted mission schools. Over 600,000 Igbos in the region had embraced Christianity, signalling a deep cultural shift.

Despite these changes, the legacy of Eze Chima remained central to Onitsha’s identity. His vision, leadership, and preservation of sacred traditions ensured that the royal house would endure even in the face of colonial transformation.

Why This History Still Matters

Eze Chima’s legacy remains at the core of Onitsha’s identity. The dynasty he established still holds ceremonial relevance in the city today. His story is one of resilience, cultural preservation, and adaptation—a testimony to how migration and political vision shaped a thriving Igbo metropolis.

The fusion of Benin royal heritage with Igbo sociopolitical customs created a unique identity for Onitsha. It remains a city of kings, traditions, and historical depth.

Conclusion

Understanding the origin of Onitsha and Benin Kingdom also helps contextualize the enduring spiritual and political traditions in the region.

The story of Onitsha is a journey of royalty, rebellion, and reinvention. From the legacy of Eze Chima to the growth of Inland Town and its cultural influence, Onitsha’s origin remains one of the most compelling historical narratives in southeastern Nigeria.

As we honour the past, may we continue to celebrate the role of cities like Onitsha in shaping the political and cultural fabric of Igboland.

🔗 Suggested Reading and Related Post

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