The Migration of Success: What Modern Diaspora Leaders Can Learn from Esan Origins
For the modern Diaspora leaders, the CEOs in London, the founders in Atlanta, or the consultant in Verona, the word “migration” often carries a dual weight. It represents the courage to leave the familiar and the heavy responsibility of succeeding in the unknown. But migration is not merely a modern phenomenon of flight paths and visas; it is an ancient technology of survival, expansion, and legacy-building.
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Framework.
To understand the power of your own journey, we must look back at one of the most resilient and strategically minded ethnic groups in West Africa: the Esan people of present-day Edo State, Nigeria.
The history of Esan is not just a tale of “where they came from.” It is a blueprint for how a group of people can break away from a centralized power, preserve their core identity, and build a lasting legacy that thrives centuries later.
The Genesis: Breaking Away from the Great Walls of Benin
The origin of the Esan people is inextricably linked to the Benin Empire, one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa.
According to oral tradition and historical records, the word Esan is a derivative of the phrase E san fia, which translates to “they have fled” or “they jumped away.”
The Exodus of the 15th Century
While archaeological evidence suggests that the plateau was inhabited long before, the primary wave of migration occurred during the 15th century, specifically during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great (c. 1440–1473). Ewuare was a formidable and transformative ruler, but his reign was marked by strict laws following the tragic death of his two sons.
See also Building the Foundation: How Oba Oguola’s Walls Became the Blueprint for a Lasting Legacy
The legend states that in his grief, the Oba passed draconian laws, including a ban on sex, bathing, and celebrations for three years. For the visionary leaders, craftsmen, and warriors of that time, this environment became stifling.
They faced a choice: stay and wither under restrictive laws, or venture into the dense forests to build something of their own.
The Strategic “Jump”
These migrants were not “refugees” in the modern, disparaging sense. They were established leaders. They were the high-ranking soldiers and administrative minds who possessed the “Benin DNA”, the knowledge of governance, metallurgy, and social organization, but sought a new territory to apply it.
The Lesson for the Diaspora Leader:
Just as the Esan ancestors left the most powerful empire in Africa to seek autonomy, your move to the West or your transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship is a “strategic jump.”
It is the refusal to let your potential be capped by the “walls” of your current environment.
Transitioning from Survival to Sovereignty
At AClasses Media, our founder Obehi Ewanfoh, host of the Obehi Podcast often speaks of a pivotal point where a migrant or a business leader realizes that they are no longer just “visiting” or “surviving,” but are now responsible for planting seeds that must outlive them.
When the Esan ancestors arrived in the lush, hilly forests of the plateau, they didn’t try to recreate Benin exactly. Instead, they adapted. They established various autonomous kingdoms led by an Enijie (king).
Cultural Continuity and Innovation
The Esan people maintained the structural integrity of their Edo heritage but infused it with a fierce spirit of independence. They became master farmers, warriors, and traders. They turned a “flight” into a “foundation” and maintained their uniqueness.
According to the late Esan historian Dr. Christopher Okojie in his seminal work, Esan Native Laws and Customs, the Esan people developed a complex legal system and a deep spiritual connection to the land that allowed them to resist total assimilation back into the Benin Empire for centuries while maintaining a respectful, diplomatic relationship with the Oba.
See also Spirituality and Leadership: What Do the Esan People Call God?
African Spiritual Principles: The Root of the Legacy
To build a multi-generational legacy, the Esan people, now about 1.5 million in total, relied on more than just military strength; they relied on spiritual and social principles that modern founders would do well to study.
Community and Ancestral Honor
In Esan culture, you are not an isolated island. You are a link in a chain. The concept of “Ancestral Honor” dictates that your success is not yours alone; it belongs to those who came before you and those who will follow.
- Modern Application: Are you documenting your business processes and family history? If your knowledge dies with you, you have broken the chain.
The Problem of the “Forgotten Story”
Despite their rich history, many modern Esan descendants, and indeed, many Black Diaspora leaders suffer from what we call Narrative Erosion.
Research shows that family businesses that do not document their origins often fail by the third generation.
A study published in the Harvard Business Review suggests that “the more children knew about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives and the higher their self-esteem.”
For the Diaspora leader, your “migration story” is not just a personal anecdote; it is a premium marketing asset. It is the reason why a client should trust you over a competitor who has never had to navigate two worlds.
How to Immortalize Your Migration Journey
The Esan people used oral traditions, using elements like songs and dance to pass down their story. In the 21st century, the tools have changed, but the mission remains the same.
At AClasses Media, we use the Photo Elicitation Technique (PET) to help leaders like you bridge the gap between your past and your future.
By analyzing the “artifacts” of your journey, the first office you rented, the old photos of your parents’ business, the awards from your 20-year career, we extract the “Why” behind your brand.
Strategic Pivots for Your Legacy
How do you take your “Esan-like” journey of migration and success and turn it into something tangible? We offer three pathways:
1. The Legacy Signature Program
Just as the Esan leaders took the governance models of Benin and refined them into a unique autonomous system, we help you take your 20+ years of professional expertise and turn it into a proprietary methodology.
This becomes your brand’s “secret sauce,” making you the undeniable authority in your niche.
2. The Legacy Book
The Esan history survived because people like Dr. Christopher Okojie committed it to paper. Your story deserves the same treatment. A Legacy Book isn’t just a memoir; it’s a strategic asset that justifies your premium pricing and serves as a roadmap for the next generation of your family.
3. The Legacy Video
Imagine if we had cinematic footage of the first Enijie settling in Irrua or Ekpoma. We don’t have that, but your descendants can have it of you. We help you create a “Cinematic Legacy Film” that captures your “Verona Moment”, the essence of your struggle, your values, and your vision.
Conclusion: You Are the New Ancestor
The story of the Esan people is a story of The Migration of Success. They didn’t just leave; they led. They didn’t just survive; they built.
See also The Unseen Story: Why the Photo Elicitation Technique is Essential for Deep-Dive Legacy Building
As an Established Diaspora Leader or a Multi-Generational Family Business, you are currently writing the history that will be told 100 years from now. The question is: who is controlling the narrative?
Are you leaving your legacy to chance, or are you intentionally shaping it into an asset that builds trust, commands of respect, and ensures your name is never forgotten?
Your journey from where you started to where you are now is the most valuable thing you own. It is time to treat it as such.
Your Legacy is Your Most Valuable Asset
Before you print another brochure or sign another contract, let’s talk about how to immortalize your journey. Your story is the only thing your competitors cannot copy.
Whether you want to package your knowledge into a world-class program, author the definitive book of your career, or capture your life’s work on film, we are here to guide the process.
Book your free 15-minute Legacy Strategy Call today to design the asset that will tell your story for the next 50 years. Book Your Free 15-Min Legacy Call Now.
