The stories of strong Nigerian women from the 13th century are far and apart. That is why we must take pride in celebrating the women who proved themselves worthy of being remembered and celebrated. It is the reason we continue to remember women like Emotan who helped to save the monarchy of ancient Benin City in the 13th century.
At about 1440 AD, Emotan while running the first daycare in Benin city, saved the 12th king of Benin, Oba Ewuare from being killed by his usurper brother, Oba Uwaifiokun. Legend has it that Oba Uwaifiokun had taken over the throne of Benin city that rightfully belonged to his brother. However, for him to secure his place as the rightful Oba of the land, he had to first kill Oba Ewuare.
Emotan heard about the plans to kill Oba Ewuare and decided to help him. She had been living in a hut at the market where she sold her wares after the death of her husband. She risked her life to save him by telling him about the plans and hiding him in her hut at the market until he could kill his brother and take back the throne.
Although she was childless, she used to take care of the children of market traders and buyers alike in her hut at the market for free. This made the people of the town love her. After helping Oba Ewuare take back his throne, she used the love of the people she had earned through her kindness to garner goodwill for him.
When Oba Ewuare finally got back on the throne, he rewarded Emotan. He made her the Iyeki (that is the leader of the authorized Ekpate guild), tasked with security matters in the market and with enforcing market rules. However, she died soon after that but her good deeds were never to be forgotten. Oba Ewuare ordered that she should be buried in her hut by the market (now known today as the Oba Market).
He also deified her by Planting the sacred ‘Uruhe’ tree by her graveside at the market. She is known as the deity of fairness, equity, justice, peace, and harmony, in Benin city. Every year, a procession of the king, his chiefs, the men of the town and the market women pay homage to Emotan at her burial site. Also, every burial procession that passes through the town must stop at Emotan’s memorial statue and pay homage to her.
A bronze statue of Emotan as a young woman was created by British sculptor, John A. Danford in 1951 after two different Uruhe trees used to deify her fell. The statue was commissioned by the British colonial authorities at her burial site in 1954.
Emotan’s life tells the story of love, selflessness and dedication to seeing justice and she will never be forgotten for that reason. If you learned anything new from Emotan’s life or found her story inspiring, let us know in the comment section below.