ANCESTORS' CONNECTION TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESAN KINGDOM.

HRH, EIDENOJIE 1, ONOJIE OF UROHI KINGDOM

By  Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

To the Esan people, the ancestors are disembodied spirits of people who lived upright lives here on earth, died ‘goodʼ and natural deaths, that is at a ripe old age, and received the acknowledged funerary burial rites.They could be men or

women. Under this understanding, not all who die become ancestors, but those that meet the above conditions while alive and after death.

The system of governance among the Esan people is highly structured hierarchically.. At the top of the hierarchical ladder in each of the kingdoms in Esan land is the king known as the Onojie. He is compared to the General Manager in a modern organisational setting. His administrative organisational structure consists of chiefs known as Ekhaemolen (traditional council of chiefs).

These are in turn followed by Communal/Village heads known as the Odionwele (the eldest male in the Village made up of many quarters). Next in line on this hierarchal ladder is the Odion, which is the head or leader of each quarter known as "Idumu" making up the village, followed by the Omijiogbe (eldest male in an extended family setting comprising of husband, wife/wives, children, brothers, unmarried sisters and their families) and at the bottom of the ladder is the father in a nuclear family known as Aba (father). Sometimes, the Omijiogbe could also be called "Aba mai" (our father).

In Esan village or clan, there are different groups based on age (Otu) and there is also a clear division of labour among the different groups. The group of elders known as "Enedion" constituted both the executive, legislative and judicial arm of the community. They are responsible for determining and educating the members of the village on the traditions and customary laws that govern the people, enforcing these laws and punishing offenders in line with existing criminal, social and economic laws of the land.

The next in the age grouping are the "Igene". This group controls the communal works department, maintains the internal security and defense of the community from peripheral hostility. They majorly execute absolute actions and decisions of the Enedion forcefully or otherwise. The least in the age groupings are the "Egbonughele", who are responsible for maintaining environmental sanitation in the community.

It is important to note that power and authority are delegated to the Odionweles/Enedions by the Onojie to act on his behalf, in ensuring that the customary laws and traditions governing the people in the land, are adhered to and offenders punished.

Just as we have constitutional law in the contemporary society, there is a myth among the Esan people, the "Elimin" ( ancestral spirit) that are organic to the myth of creation. In this way, they function as the major stabilizer of the people’s destiny and ways of life. Traditionally, they are ancestral spirits who periodically visit their living forebears in spirit forms. Their visits are regarded as spiritual interventions to the world of the living and as a result are highly venerated. It is a symbolic resurrection of the ancestors. The ancestors are believed to be around the living to protect and guide his people.

“For the Esan; ‘edion are yu ebha yieho" (it is only the ancestral spirit’s eyes that die and not his ears).

The use of "Uhure" (Sacred stick) by the Odionwele in every community draws inference from the above.

As a matter of fact, Esan don't worship ancestors. They worship the God of their ancestors. Eg. I am the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob as in the bible.

"Elimin na tor, na khale, na kpekhia" ( If ancestor reached three years) they turn to saints.

* Uhure is a Family Personal Deity.

*Okpo (Mantle) comes in different forms and authority.

Esan because of their structured tradition, operate a well structured Capilary Democratic system, based on age groups.

It is under this belief that administration becomes easy which is respect for the customary laws and traditions governing the people in the land.

In Esan communities, individual at every stage of life has a series of duties and obligations to
one another as well as a set of rights; things that he or she could expect or demand from other individuals as well as welfare and security issues. It is in line with this that entry into these age grades (Otu) through some traditional rites are considered for men. Age is a most important factor determining the extent of rights and obligations in Esan kingdom.

In a nutshell, the administrative management of the Esan kingdom is the principles of "Akugbe-ole-ahu" (Unity is strength, Espirit de corps) and "Okpamakhin" (we are the same). It is a structured hierarchical administration of peaceful co-existence in an average Esan person`s present day contemporary life whether living in or outside Esan land.

...to be continued