Idia

Idia was the mother of Esigie, the Oba of Benin who ruled from 1504 to 1550. She played a very 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 of the Edo people.

The famous Idia ivory pendant was part of the artifacts carted away during the 1897 Benin punitive expedition by the British.