HOW GBI-BLA'S FOUNDING FATHERS ARRIVED IN GBI

AND SETTLED ON THE PRESENT TOWN LAND
 

Vule arrived with a kinsman called Kpone; they and their offspring occupied the northern part of Atiletsakpe. The position they occupied made them to be collectively called BLADZIGBE. Asiama Kotobri also arrived with a kinsman called Gle. The descendants of Gle became known as Domiewo, Bansaviwo and Gledogbeviwo. They occupied the southern part of Atiletsakpe and were therefore collectively called BLANYIGBE. 

Torgbe Tsri arrived alone with his household. Torgbe Tsri and his household did not need any other collective name other than Tsrivi. They occupied the central part of Atiletsakpe since they were the overlords and thus possessed the paramount governing authority in Gbi-Bla. 

Recently, there emerged a school of thought that claimed Tsrivi is a latter settlement and that there used to be only Blanyigbe and Bladzigbe. This position is not tenable. The totality of the history of Bla makes such an assertion very baseless. 

The reign of Torgbe Tsri was successful. He had a son called Tsri Korku. During his reign, Torgbe Tsri was accused of masterminding the death of one of his subjects. Since the issue fell within the domain of traditional African spirituality, he was compelled to marry the widow of the man to prove his innocence as custom demanded. He did marry the widow and gave birth to a son whom he named NYAVOR. Thus Tsri Korku and Nyavor were half brothers; they shared the same father but were of different mothers. The birth of Nyavor was a testament that Tsri was innocent of the accusation. The mother of Nyavor was Naanaa. Nyavor lived and grew up in his mother’s home in Tsrivi without moving to his father’s home or playing any significant role in his father’s leadership system.

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Author: Samuel Abednego Agbo

PHOTO CREDIT: Flint Honour Agbemor

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                   The above information is open to updates and can be contested.