Opiti the Great: Founder of Ofunama in Egbema Kingdom: A Historical Series

 

By Prince Agbedeyi. O. D

Chapter 1: 

The Call of the Sea (From Gbekebor)

In the heart of the ancient Ijaw land, in a village called Gbekebor, in the year 1025 AD, a child was born who would one day shape history—Opiti the Great. From an early age, he displayed qualities that set him apart: courage beyond measure, a sharp mind, and a spiritual sensitivity that drew the attention of priests and elders.

It was in Gbekebor that Opiti first encountered the shrine of Egbsu, the god of war. There, he received a vision that he was to lead a people across the waters to establish a clan unlike any before. The elders confirmed the omen: his destiny lay not in Gbekebor, but beyond the rivers and seas.

Chapter 2: 

Departure and the Journey to Ofini-ama

Leaving behind the familiar shores of Gbekebor, Opiti gathered a group of brave followers and set out. They built strong canoes, sang ancestral songs, and made sacrifices to Egbsu. Their journey spanned seven great seas, filled with hardship and spiritual trials, but Opiti’s resolve never wavered.

Finally, the tides brought them to a fertile and quiet riverside—Ofini-ama. There, Opiti planted his spear in the earth, marking the beginning of a new era. The first shrine to Egbsu was raised, and the fire of  the first community in Egbema was lit.

Chapter 3: 

The Gathering of Kinsmen

As signs of divine approval became evident—abundant harvests, peaceful waters, and visions in dreams—Opiti's kinsmen came from far and wide, recognizing the rising star of their people. Together, they expanded Ofini-ama, bringing with them their culture, crafts, and loyalty. Under Egbsu’s blessing, unity blossomed.

Chapter 4: 

Birth of the Clans

With growing numbers came expansion. New clans were formed, each with a distinct role in society:

• Ogbinbiri, masters of canoe craft and river navigation
• Ogbudugbudu, fierce warriors and frontline defenders
• Gbewei-Uba, priests and interpreters of spiritual signs
• Abere, healers and keepers of medicinal knowledge
• Ajakoro-ama, expert fishers and tide-readers
• Jamagie, chroniclers through song and legend
• Abadegbene, scribes and preservers of ancestral law
• Polobubou, traders and wealth gatherers
• Opuama, guardians of Southern boundaries
• Gboluke-Agagha, protectors of sacred relics and ritual power

All clans gave reverence to Egbsu, who was believed to dwell in the hearts of warriors and the silence of drums before battle.

Chapter 5: 

The Wars of Establishment

The rise of Egbema did not go unnoticed. Rival tribes and jealous warlords sought to crush the growing kingdom. But Opiti, guided by visions from Egbsu, led his people to victory time and again. Before every campaign, he made sacrifices at Egbsu’s altar, and the god would answer with thunder, fire, and the courage of a hundred men in each warrior’s heart. It was said that when Opiti raised his spear, Egbsu rode beside him, invisible but overwhelming.

Chapter 6: 

The Rule of Law and Spirit

With peace came structure. Opiti summoned the elders and, through divine guidance, established the Laws of the River and Earth—codes that governed trade, marriage, warfare, and spiritual conduct. The Temples of Egbsu was  built first at  Bolou Jamagie  clan, and annual festivals of fire and drums were held to honor the god who had brought them through war into peace.

Chapter 7: 

The Legacy of Opiti

In his final days, Opiti walked to the banks of the river where he first landed. There, he poured palm wine into the water and spoke to Egbsu one last time. Some say the river glowed. Others say thunder cracked without rain. What is certain is this: Opiti was buried in sacred ground, and his spirit was said to have been taken into the realm of the gods.

His story is not just history—it is covenant, identity, and the spiritual spine of the Egbema people. And above all, Egbsu, the god of war, remains ever-watchful over the descendants of the warrior he once chose.

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