The Edo Tribe

by Professor Ademola Iyi-Eweka


EDO, is what you can describe as the "generic name given to a group of people who have a common ancestor and have a common language, with some different variants, depending on the distance between the group and the " tap root, " resident in and around the present day Benin City. In short, the land, the political state, the people, tribe, language and the principal city -Benin City is called EDO. At a point in the history of these people, another name called BENIN came into use. These Edo-speaking people are divided into the following clans today:

a) " BINI " derived from the word Benin for people living in and around Benin City, in Edo State. People living in and around Benin City, are gradually accepting the word BINI, as descriptive of their clan. Otherwise, they prefer to be simply called EDO.

b) ESAN/Ishan-for the immediate neighbor to the north are people living in around Irrua, Orhodua, Uromi, Ubiaja, Ewu, Ewatto, Igueben and the almighty Evbohimwin (Ewohimi))" the city by the big river " or " the city of Ikhimwin trees " etc.

c) The Afemais known as IVBIOSAKON by those living in and around Benin City to the north of Ishan/Esan clan.

d) Akoko-Edos based in Igarra, Ibillo and its environs to the north of Afemais.

e) The Owans-ORAS occupying Eme, Sabogida-Ora, Afuze, etc. Uhobe (SOBE) and Ifon in Ondo State.

f) Ekas-to East of Benin. A sizeable chunk of the Edo speaking people flow across River Niger and ending at ONITSHA.

g) Isoko, Urhobo, Itsekiris and about 70% percent of western Izon (Ijaws) in Ndegeni and its environs

h) A sizeable chunk of the Edos is found in River States and Balyesa States e.g. Ogba land and Diobu, Port Harcourt.

i) A sizeable chunk has been " Yorubanised in Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun States. The descendants of Edo soldiers stationed in Akure are referred to today as ADO-AKURE (Edo ne ïvbi'ekue) There are many Edos in Ekiti land, Idoani, Idanre etc going through life in Nigeria with Yoruba names. Acculturation has taken place. You are either a Yoruba man or you go nowhere.

j) The ILAJE community at OKITIPUPA and its environs.

k) The Edos who conquered and settled far way land like Dahomey, Togo and Ghana.

The Edo language is part of the Kwa-Niger group of languages according to Linguist. These people have lived were they are now for " Thousands of years." The monarchy centered in Benin City is about 6000 years old, including pre-ogiso and Ogiso era of history. All the clans had various functions, which they perform at the palace. For example, the Ishans/Esans were principally the medicine men and warriors of the ancient empire. They were the medical practitioners. The chieftancy groups responsible for the Oba's well being are dominated by Ishan/Esan descendants. The Ivbiosakon (Afemais) were the dental surgeon of the palace. That is the origin of the name IVBIOSAKON. Oba Esigie assigned that function to them in the c1500's.

The Owan/Ora people were the propitiators of the physical earth for the Oba of Benin. It was their responsibility to prevent things like earthquake, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes and anything associated with geological disturbance to occur in Benin. In short, they were the geologists and weathermen of their day, forecasting and preventing physical calamities. Those we call BINIS today, were the traditional bureaucratic administrators and military generals. The Izons (Ijaws) were the " OZIGUE" -SAILORS The Ekas were farmers. They were in charge of the royal farms.

The Ibos across the Niger call the Edos, IDU, the name of the progenitor of Edo race, the Yorubas call us ADO, which is a corruption of the word EDO. However, the Itsekiris, another sub group in the Edo clans call us UBINI. Tradition asserts that it is derived from ILE-IBINU, which is descriptive of the exasperation and frustration encountered in Benin City, by Prince Oranmiyan of ILE-IFE. A further research may prove that, it was the Itsekiris who gave that name, to the people living in and around Benin City. The Itsekiris told the white man of the powerful overlord living in Igodomigodo. It was the Itsekiris who told the Whiteman that the name of the tribe of this powerful king was UBINI- a term which Whiteman corruptly wrote down as Benin. For example, the name of the eldest daughter of Oba Osewende, the mother of the OSULAS and the AIWERIOGHENES is today known as AGHAYUBINI. A closer examination of that name would reveal that the name is an Itsekhiri phrase-" The Ubini Lady or woman " i.e. the woman from Benin. Aghayubini was a very wealthy trader among the Itsekiris, from whence she got the money she used, in getting the throne for her brother, who became Oba ADOLO. An Itsekhiri descriptive phrase has simply over powered her original Edo name, to the extent that nobody knows anything about it now.

The ancient Edo/Benin Empire covered the whole of Bendel, parts of Bayelsa State and I repeat Balyesa State. The second son of the Enogie of Brass, popularly known as IYASE NE OHENMWEN became the Iyase of Benin under Oba Osewende. Iyase Ohenmwen is the ancestor of the OTOKITIS, THE OKEAYA-INNEH AND THE AIWERIOGHENES of Benin today. It also covers the IGBO-speaking areas of Delta State stretching to Onitsha. People hardly know that the actual title of the Obi of Onitsha is AIGBOGHIDI. The historical Chief Agho Obaseki of Oba Ovoranmwen era and later the Iyase of Benin under Oba Eweka II, was a descendant of the second son of Enogie of NSUKWA now in Delta State. It extended to the whole of Ondo State, parts of Ekiti and Ogun State and the whole of Lagos State including BADAGRY. It stretched to southern Dahomey (Republic of Benin) and on to the coast of Togo and Ghana.

THE OWANS /ORAS:

Oba Ozolua is traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Owans/Ora. He was known as Prince Okpame before he became known as Oba Ozolua. He had sought refuge in Uwokha in Ivbiosakon areas in c1473. From Uwokha, Oba Ozolua founded Ora and other villages. Oba Ozolua was a warlord. He beat the people of Uzea near Uromi to a pulp when there was a revolt. He extended his carnage to Uromi when the Enogie was reported to have been rude to his messengers. He went up through Akoko land, wandering into Nupe lands where he acquired a lot of sophisticated weaponry then. He attacked the Igallas and Igbirras in the present Kogi and Kwarra states. After spending the greater part of his life in ORA, he left behind his son UGUAN and returned to Benin City.

But before he left, he proclaimed everybody free men and free women, entitled to enjoy the privileges of Edo princes and Princesses, for all the services they had rendered in his military campaigns. That is why the Oras call themselves today, the CHILDREN OF OZOLUA. Besides being in charge of propitiating the physical earth, they are responsible for ritually exorcising any harm that might come upon the EDO NATION-the land due to violation of sexual or other taboos. Their GUILD, quartered at EVBORHAN quarter in OGBELAKA in Benin City by Oba Esigie, demands steep fines from the culprits for their services.

A few years ago, the Oba of Benin created an Ogie-Duke-traditional rulership for the Oras because of popular demand.

via: EdoPoliticalForum

Blame Corruption For Air Crashes, Bad Roads – Bishop

CATHOLIC Bishop of Bomadi Archdiocese, Delta State, Dr. Hyacinth Egbebor, Saturday, declared that aircraft operating in the country are not worthy to fly passengers, saying that corruption was the major cause of plane crashes in the country.
The clergy, who presided over the requiem mass, which held in honour of General Azazi, in Yenagoa, said frequent crashes occur in the country’s air space because of corruption, which has left many roads across the country impassable for motorists.   Bishop Egbebor used the opportunity to call on state governors and President Jonathan to provide good roads linking communities to reduce deaths and called on leaders not to pretend that there are good roads in the country.
He said;  “if the military cannot guarantee safety of their own lives, who will they provide safety or protect? We have compromised excellence because of corruption and because of money, let us not pretend that we are in American air space.”
According to him,  “it is my appeal to President Jonathan to fix the East/West road, the potholes there are killing people; tankers are falling almost everyday, killing and maiming people.”
TheGuardian

What Christmas in Katsina taught me

Teajay Chunu

I arrived Kano on aero by 8pm on the 24th of December and was welcome by deep cold. I thought I was 'man' enough to take it but realized am just a man and quickly rushed for my Jacket. I wondered why these people still buy air conditioners (*smiles*). My arrival was 4 hours behind schedule, no thanks to aero but how on earth would I find my way in the midst of hausa speaking people who we dread cos of the 'boko haram' syndrome?

I got a cab to the park and was amazed that by 9pm these people were still very active. Boarded another cab that took me on a mind freezing, body shivering 2 hours drive to Katsina. The roads were good and travelling without fear is a concept I desire for southern Nigeria. Arriving and tracing my way to my host was simple and stressless.

It was strange not to have seen Christmas lights nor hear the popular 'feliz navidad' everywhere until reality hit me, Christmas is more a 'southern affair'. I rushed under the closest blanket and didn't turn till daybreak for fear of not breaking my frozen ear.

It was morning...alass Christmas is here! I hit the dry dusty roads for service, had the pastor preach my message I planned writing that morning and was simply 'wowed'. I was happy to see amidst the tight security in an 'unsafe' zone, Christians were irresistibly joyful. I meet new friends as well as some old one who were hiding & doing great things here. The day was full, exciting and well-fed.

With my encounter I started pondering... why do we complain about the north? Are they really the enemy of the south? Are they really born to rule, are they that heartless? The people I met and those on the streets I shared with, yes though may have a wrong mind-set were excited to share with me. At this point I will state that our enemy isn't a people, tribe, religion, nation or what have you but a mind-set, a constant pattern of thought that uses aggression & tyranny to suppress us into bondage.

These people are a reflection of the depth of their knowledge, sitting unproductively over vast resources & opportunities but living in 'uncontrolled' wealth. I learnt the following about them:
1. They are one.
2. They walk loyally with a superior & absolute belief system (for those who lead)
3. They are committed in inculcating their beliefs, values & culture to the next generation.
4. They do what they believe without fear.
5. They will submit to greater influence.

Oh, I won't deny that they are more beggars here too but those with wealth & power stand as a threat even to the whole nation. This has led me to a new school of thought; the north is a product of the negligence of the south. Now minds may be reacting because 'this statement is baseless, can't you see our history, the bombing...etc?' Yes, yes but am not your enemy here, just reason along...the south claims to be smarter, has more Christians & profess God who is a perfect representation of love, wisdom & power but why...
1. Are we not united?
2. Can't we be loyal, walking with a superior & absolute belief system? We don't trust God to do what He says, we practically improvise.
3. Have we neglected bringing our children up in the way & relegated that to the media & morally decayed influence from the western world?
4. Do we live with fear, protecting life that may be lost without meaning?
5. Oppose greater influence because of personal interest?

While I mourn our brothers martyred in the north, I see the killings as a tool to empower fear and restrain us from living a superior life of real power & influence, not selfishly motivated but driven by love to do Greater Works as Jesus declared. Death will visit us someday but until then I MUST work the works of Him who called me. Why sit here and die 4 lepers asked, I dare ask you same...why?

We all analyze & know the problem of Nigeria but without a deliberate move to provide individual solutions that corporately benefits the polity. I see myself as a Nigerian not a southerner, I am a change agent and will do my bit. If you move out fear you will be amazed what power you have. I call on all Nigerians to arise to their true call and let's build a nation where peace & justice shall reign.

Join my crusade for value orientation of teenagers in 2013...StepUp!
Impossible is Nothing!

via: EdoPoliticalForum

Jonathan will fail Nigerians in 2013 – Groups express fears

Prominent Nigerian political parties, civil society groups and the Arewa Consultative Forum have expressed pessimism that President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise of better performance in 2013 would materialise.
They advised the President to focus on security, employment, corruption and power in the coming year.
It would be recalled that His Excellency who recently admitted that his administration was slow, promised to improve in the coming year.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Anthony Sani, said Nigerians would hold him responsible if he fails to deliver on his promise.
He said, “Mr. President has a manifesto to work with but has yet to fulfill his campaign promises. Rather than follow his manifesto, he removed subsidy on fuel last January and brought out problems.
“Now that he is aware that he’s slow in performance; let him deliver all his earlier promises first before making other ones.”
Also, the convener of Concerned Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, expressed worries that Jonathan would fail the nation again.
According to him: “The first thing for him to do is to be honest with Nigerians. If you want to assess a politician, it is by his delivery and service to his people. Look at the promises he made during his campaign, tell me which one he has fulfilled – none.
“A President must be surrounded with technocrats who share in his vision and have passion for the country. Unfortunately, Jonathan has the worst possible members of cabinet. The people have formed a cabal and do not have any value to add to governance.”
Adding his voice, ace human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) urged President Jonathan to declare his plans for the year 2013.
Falana said: “Now that the President has promised a new lease of life in 2013, he should tell us the areas he wants to focus on. Already, the 2013 budget is almost like that of 2012. The government still has to service our national and questionable debt and run the expensive bureaucratic government structure. He should tell us how he wants to perform the miracle.”
Also, leading opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has advised the government to focus on security, employment and power in 2013.
ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed said: “We will be more than happy, if he performs better next year. That will reduce the hardship being experienced by the masses and improve their standard of living. We will encourage and assist him to perform better.
“But the question is: Is there anything on ground for him to work with? If you want to commission a house next year, you must have acquired a piece of land by now. A better performance by him will be a pleasant surprise and we will welcome it.”
Similarly, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) said Nigerians should not put hope on Jonathan in the New Year.
The founder, Oodu’a Peoples Congress, Frederick Fasehun, also stated that Nigerians should give the President benefit of the doubt.
He said: “The quality of any leadership is a reflection of the quality of the followership. If the followership will not rise up to criticise the leadership for its substandard delivery, then the followership should settle with what it has.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan’s Party, the PDP has called asked him to tackle corruption and insecurity in the coming year.
The National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said, “Our expectation, as a political party, is for the President to focus on corruption and insecurity. The insecurity includes the violence in the North and the kidnappings in the South.
“Corruption is not peculiar to public office holders. It is found in all sectors of the society. If we get the war against corruption right, there will be betterment in all areas of our lives.”
DailyPost

Pentagon Announces Troop Deployment in 35 African Nations

Following a decision last week by the United Nations Security Council to send thousands of soldiers into Mali to combat “Islamist” and “Qaeda” extremists, the Pentagon has announced it will dispatch “small teams” to more than 35 African nations next year.
“The teams will be limited to training and equipping efforts, and will not be permitted to conduct military operations without specific, additional approvals from the secretary of defense,” reports the Associated Press.
The U.S. military presence in Vietnam began when the United States Military Assistance Advisory Group established a presence in Saigon to assist French legionnaires battling Viet Minh forces. Over the next decade, the Pentagon turned this modest advisory role into a full-blown war that claimed the lives of nearly 60,000 Americans and more than 3 million Southeast Asians.

According to the political establishment in Washington and its military counterpart at the Pentagon, North Africa is threatened by al-Qaeda affiliated groups, particularly with the rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria. The West African nation is vitally important due to its vast oil reserves.
The Pentagon insists the Salafist group Boko Haram is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Boko Haram is widely condemned by numerous Muslim groups that say its campaign of terror and murder of Christians is contrary to the teaching of Islam.
In addition to countries such as Libya, Sudan, Algeria and Niger where the U.S. says there is an al-Qaeda presence, the brigade assignment will assist Kenya and Uganda in fighting against al-Shabab militants. The group was formed in war-torn Somalia by Abu Mansoor al-Amriki, described as an ex-U.S. soldier who fought in Bosnia in the early 1990s. The CIA’s role in perpetuating war in the Balkans and funding the Bosnian Muslim mujahideen is well documented.
Gen. David Rodriguez, the head of U.S. Army Forces Command, told the Associated Press that if the African nations involved in the operation want the Pentagon to participate in military operations against al-Qaeda, they will have to petition Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. “If they want them for (military) operations, the brigade is our first sourcing solution because they’re prepared,” Rodriguez said.
The Pentagon currently has plans for over 100 military and training exercises across Africa as part of its touted Africom effort.
The “carefully calibrated” plan to move into Africa was announced in 2007 despite “misgivings across the continent that it could spawn American bases or create the perception of an undue U.S. military influence there,” according to the AP.
“AFRICOM’s goal is to eliminate China and other countries influence in the region,” writes Timothy Alexander Guzman. “Africa’s natural resources is another important element to consider because it includes oil, diamonds, copper, gold, iron, cobalt, uranium, bauxite, silver, petroleum, certain woods and tropical fruits.”
The Tuareg Rebellion in Mali and the participation of Ansar Dine have provided the latest pretext for the United States and the United Nations to intervene in Africa. The Islamists group Ansar Dine aligned with AQIM and eventually displaced the Tuareg and imposed Sharia law in the northern part of Mali.
Last week’s United Nations resolution states that “military intervention will not happen until Mali’s own dysfunctional army is adequately trained and a framework for political stability and elections is restored in the country,” according to the New York Times.
Military intervention in Mali is being pushed by France, the former colonial occupier of the country, and the United Nations resolution calls for a 3,300-soldier force to be sent next year.
For now, the United States and France will work on getting the Malian military, described as “vital to ensure Mali’s long-term security and stability,” adequately trained to fight al-Qaeda, the vexatious militant force that appears like clockwork in strategically important areas of the world prior to the involvement of the United States, its European partners, and the United Nations.
WorldReport.com

Saving The Heritage Sites Of Benin

By PRINCE PATRICK ORONSAYE


Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. According to the World Heritage Committee in 1996 these heritages are our touchstones, our points of reference and our identity. Heritage means everything and in the western world, it has developed into a whole industry.
Thus properly packaged for tourism, our heritage sites are expected to foster economic growth through foreign exchange earnings and an increase in revenue and, at a second level, an improvement in the people’s well-being in the areas of job creation, revenue/income distribution and balanced regional development. In this respect tourism is described as an industry although it has no single production characteristics or defined operational parameters.

Heritage Tourism is also multi-faceted and its economic dimension cannot occur without inputs of a social, cultural and environmental nature.
In spite of the aforementioned benefits enumerated, even those sites that been declared National heritage places are still being deliberately destroyed by our own people. One of such sites is the Ogiamien Palace.
i. THE OGIAMEN’S PALACE:
Located on the Sokponba Road in the heart of Benin City, this is the only surviving architectural edifice that survived the 1897 British Punitive Expedition to Benin. At the time it was declared a National Heritage Site in 1961, the ancient building that contained 13 courtyards is built entirely of compressed mud. As a result of lack of funds and deliberate neglect by those in charge and the unfortunate recalcitrant position adopted by the family, this National Heritage is fast dilapidating. There is the urgent need for conservation and protection.

ii. THE GREAT BENIN EARTH WORKS
In the tropical rainforest of Southern Nigeria and in the heart of the ancient Benin Kingdom lies the longest and most extensive earth construction created by a pre- mechanical culture and civilization; these are the Benin Earthworks.
Created over a millennium ago in the depth of the rainforest zone, these Benin earthworks with a total length of 16,000 (sixteen thousand) kilometres are more than 5 (five) times longer than the Great Wall of China and the total volume of earth moved in the construction is well over 37,000,000 (Thirty seven Million) metric units well over 100 (one hundred) times the amount of material used in building the Great pyramid of Choeps in Egypt.

The Benin earth works extend over 6500km (six and a half thousand square kilometers) and over 1 50,000,000(one hundred and fifty million) man-hours was use in the construction of these earthworks in a complicated network of delineating enclosures.
By 1975 after Prof. Grahame Connah’s survey, it became clear that the so called ‘Benin City outer walls’ were not just Yoruba-like structures of ‘urban settlement growth’ as
theorized by him, but that the Benin City earthworks were a small peripheral part of a much more extensive pattern of rural earthwork enclosures made up the Uzama villages, Uselu, Ugbowo, Egor, Ova, Evbuotubu Iya, etc which reflect the wider processes of indigenous state formation.

According to Professor Shaw in 1978 the Benin rural earthwork enclosures reflect the possible demographic, cultural and socio-political developments of the Edo people in first Millennium AD. For well over ten centuries, one millennium, the tropical rainforest borne witness to these massive earthworks and during the same period, traditional control had preserved this great edifice.
In the last four decades since the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) took over the responsibility of management and protection of these earthworks from the Traditional Institution, the onslaught on this greatest pre-mechanical have intensified.

The sudden ‘Oil Wealth” brought prosperity to Nigeria and the city of Benin expanded in leaps and bounds. To meet the requirement of providing housing for a modern metropolis, huge sections of the tropical rainforest that hitherto had provided the green cover for these earthworks, were and are still being destroyed. The buffer zones that were created on both sides of these earthworks over eight centuries stretch over 150 kilometres around Benin City Urban.

These section of the earthworks were surveyed by Prof. Graham Connah in 1961 and within the period the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) took over the responsibility of managing the Heritage Site, the land constituting the buffer zone were sold and are still being sold as building plots with the active connivance of some unscrupulous Government officials in the Survey department of the Edo State Ministry of Lands and Survey and Traditional Ward Plot Allotment Committees,
Today officials from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments(NCMM) who are supposed to issue official clearance from the individual to erect buildings are no longer in charge.
Furthermore, individuals especially some Enigie of the villages in the northeast section of Benin City rural, are guilty of deliberately filling the moats by bulldozing huge section of the walls of the earthworks into the moats and selling them as building plots. Here again the devious acts are made possible through the active connivance of some state officials in the Survey department, the Traditional Ward Plot Allotment Committees to the detriment of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments,

Even these Museums officials whose responsibility is the surveillance of these earthworks, are desk-bound and when they are out on surveillance, they are forced to turn a blind eye to those perpetuating these wanton destruction of the greatest evidences of the Edo Civilization for the fear of their own lives.
Sadly, these earthworks are the greatest accomplishment of the Edo civilization and since the National Museum has failed to ensure their continuous existence, there is the need for all Benins and indeed all Nigerians to assist in their conservation and protection.
iii. THE OGlE OBAZAGBON’S PALACE:
Located off the Sokponba Road at the ldogbo axis, this architectural edifice was built during the reign of Oba Osemwende is the only surviving architectural edifice that survived the 1897 British Punitive Expedition to Benin in the lkpoba-Okha L. G. Area axis.

Of the almost 8 courtyards in this ancient building that is built entirely of compressed mud only two are surviving. As a result of lack of funds and deliberate neglect by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, this Live-in National Heritage, is fast dilapidating. There is the urgent need for conservation and protection.
Permit us at the this juncture to commend the efforts of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Executive Governor of Edo State in his current move to address the issue of ensuring the survival of the Benin Earthworks.

via fb: EdoPoliticalForum

Fiscal Cliff Debate Will Lead To More Battles, New Problems

By David Lawder and Fred Barbash

WASHINGTON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Whether or not the U.S. "fiscal cliff" impasse is broken before the New Year's Eve deadline, there will be no post-cliff peace in Washington.

With the political climate toxic in Congress as the cliff's steep tax hikes and spending cuts approach, other partisan fights loom, all over the issue that has paralyzed the capital for the past two years: federal spending.

The first will come in late February when the Treasury Department runs out of borrowing authority and has to come to Congress to get the debt ceiling raised.

The next is likely in late March, when a temporary bill to fund the government runs out, confronting Congress with a deadline to act or face a government shutdown. The third will possibly be whenever the temporary bill replacing the temporary bill expires.

While Congress is supposed to pass annual spending bills before the start of each fiscal year, it has failed to complete that process since 1996, resorting to stopgap funding ever since.

Influential anti-tax activist Grover Norquist predicted in an interview with Reuters that conservatives would wage repeated battles with President Barack Obama to demand budget savings every time the government needs a temporary funding bill or more borrowing capacity.

The so-called "continuing resolutions" to which a divided Congress has increasingly resorted to keep the government operating, provide a "very powerful tool" to pry out spending cuts, said Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee said he will not be satisfied until there are substantial cuts to federal retirement and healthcare benefits known as entitlements, producing savings in the $4.5 trillion to $5 trillion range.

"Unfortunately for America," said Corker, "the next line in the sand will be the debt ceiling."

Most observers see the $16.4 trillion debt limit as the true fiscal cliff in the new year because if not increased, it would eventually lead to a default on U.S. Treasury debt, an event that could prove cataclysmic for financial markets.

The Treasury Department said on Wednesday it would start taking extraordinary measures by Dec. 31 to extend its borrowing capacity for about two more months.


'POISONOUS CLIMATE'

It was a deadlock over raising the debt ceiling in August 2011 that prompted a deficit reduction deal that led to a key fiscal cliff component, the $109 billion in automatic spending cuts on military and domestic programs.

If the fiscal cliff's spending cuts or tax increases are left even partly unresolved on Dec. 31, the political combat over them will carry over into the new Congress, possibly simultaneously with the debt ceiling debate.

"We would be pessimistic of a quick fix" if the deadline is missed, Sean West, head U.S. analyst at Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, said in a note to clients. "The political climate will be poisoned. The new Congress will need time to settle in."

"We are concluding one of the most unsuccessful Congresses in history," Democratic Representative John Dingell of Michigan declared in a statement on Saturday, "noteworthy not only for its failure to accomplish anything of importance, but also for the poisonous climate of the institution."

Dingell, 86, is the longest serving member of the House, elected first in 1955.

Historically, bitter struggles in Congress like that over the fiscal cliff lead to further resentment and strife in a cycle of cumulative grudges that now spans nearly 30 years.

Many analysts and lobbyists in Washington believe the strife could get even worse because the new Congress convening on Jan. 3 will include fewer members from moderate or swing districts and more from districts tilted heavily to the left or the right.

Republicans in particular are likely to face their most serious re-election challenges in 2014 not from Democrats but from conservative Republicans challenging them in primary elections.

"Ironically," said a post-election analysis published by the law firm Patton Boggs, "the voters have elected a 113th Congress that may be even more partisan than the 112th."
HuffingtonPost