chiefdom · West Africa
Esan chiefdoms
Origins
Esan tradition links the founding of most chiefdoms to the 15th century, when people left Benin City during the reign of Oba Ewuare and settled in the forest to the north-east. Princes and nobles from Benin became Enijie (singular Onojie), founding chiefdoms such as Uromi, Ekpoma, Irrua and Ubiaja.
Rule and society
Each chiefdom had its own Onojie, chiefs and age grades, and ruled villages of yam and palm farmers. The Enijie owed allegiance to the Oba of Benin, sent tribute and took part in Benin's wars, but fought one another frequently. Esan shared much of Edo religion and court culture.
Decline and legacy
After the British conquest of Benin in 1897, the Esan chiefdoms were occupied; Uromi under Onojie Okolo resisted until 1901. They became part of Southern Nigeria, and the Enijie remain traditional rulers in Edo State.
Few sources survive for this state; details are uncertain.
On the connections map
Open the full map →Connections (3)
- Esan chiefdoms was a vassal of Benin Empire1460 CE – 1897 CE
- Esan chiefdoms was part of Niger Coast Protectorate1897 CE – 1900 CE
- Esan chiefdoms was part of Protectorate of Southern Nigeria1900 CE – 1914 CE
Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Esan chiefdoms. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/esan-chiefdoms
- MLA
- “Esan chiefdoms.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/esan-chiefdoms. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Esan chiefdoms.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/esan-chiefdoms.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Esan chiefdoms’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/esan-chiefdoms (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻