THE EMERGENCE OF GUN IN OBOLO HISTORY
Obolos were known for crafting unique weaponry during the pre colonial
era which were then used for various activities like war, fishing,
traditional ceremonies and some even for prestige. Most notable weapons
were the broad-bladded spears, arrows, metallic head as well as the bow.
The blackmiths made arrows, spear and other weapons from iron mined
and smelted.
In 1471, the quest for glory and profit brought Portuguese navigators to the Niger Delta and established contact with the local people. However, it was 10 years later that the first royal emissary visited the court of the Oba of Benin. The relationship between both sides was cordial with early reports of the Portuguese being allowed to speak in the Oba’s court. The relationship was formed over mutually beneficial trade, exchanges which saw the Oba offer peppers, ivory and slaves in exchange for coral beads, textiles, mirror and other products from a more developed European markets.
During this period of slave trading, the Dutch also joined other traders to exchange textiles with slaves and palm oil. In searching for a more desirable product for this competition, they discovered that the riverine people ( Obolo, Bonny, Nembe, etc) had long-standing rivalries and conflicts with their neighbours in same coast. They took advantage of this and spoke with the kings about the Superior weapons in exchange for slaves. Hence, in 1700 they began to export over 20,000 tons of gunpowder. By the mid 18th century, some 400,000 guns where being exported annually to the region. Other traders seeing the growth of the new product also joined to export guns and gunpowders. The effect of this was a shift from hand-to-hand combat, the use of spear and arrows to the use of guns.
Consequently, other advance guns were brought to Obolo Nation. One was AK-47 rifle. This rifle was named after the inventor ( Avtomat Kalashnikova ) who invented it in 1947. Thus, the name of the rifle was shorten to his name and date of invention, Ak-47.
In 1471, the quest for glory and profit brought Portuguese navigators to the Niger Delta and established contact with the local people. However, it was 10 years later that the first royal emissary visited the court of the Oba of Benin. The relationship between both sides was cordial with early reports of the Portuguese being allowed to speak in the Oba’s court. The relationship was formed over mutually beneficial trade, exchanges which saw the Oba offer peppers, ivory and slaves in exchange for coral beads, textiles, mirror and other products from a more developed European markets.
During this period of slave trading, the Dutch also joined other traders to exchange textiles with slaves and palm oil. In searching for a more desirable product for this competition, they discovered that the riverine people ( Obolo, Bonny, Nembe, etc) had long-standing rivalries and conflicts with their neighbours in same coast. They took advantage of this and spoke with the kings about the Superior weapons in exchange for slaves. Hence, in 1700 they began to export over 20,000 tons of gunpowder. By the mid 18th century, some 400,000 guns where being exported annually to the region. Other traders seeing the growth of the new product also joined to export guns and gunpowders. The effect of this was a shift from hand-to-hand combat, the use of spear and arrows to the use of guns.
Consequently, other advance guns were brought to Obolo Nation. One was AK-47 rifle. This rifle was named after the inventor ( Avtomat Kalashnikova ) who invented it in 1947. Thus, the name of the rifle was shorten to his name and date of invention, Ak-47.
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