Biography of queen idia

Mother of Esigie

For the genus of moths, see Idia (moth).

Idia was the mother of Esigie, who reigned as Oba (king) of the Edo people from 1504 to 1550.^[1][2] Historians do know that Idia was alive during the Idah war^[3] (1515 – 1516) because she played a role that led to a great Benin victory.^[2] It has been argued that Idia, therefore, was the true power behind the throne of her son.^[2] She played a significant role in the rise and reign of her son, being described as a great warrior who fought relentlessly before and during her son's reign as the Oba (king) of the Edo people.^[4] Queen Idia was instrumental in securing the title of Oba for her son Esigie following the death of his father Oba Ozolua.

To that end, she raised an army to fight off his brother Arhuaran who was supposed to be the Oba by right and tradition but was subsequently defeated in battle. Esigie’s mother became the 17th Oba of Benin.^[