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The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler and the custodian of the culture of the Edo people and all Edoid people. The then Kingdom of Benin has continued to be mostly populated by the Edo.
Ozolua, originally known as Prince Okpame, was the fifteenth Oba of the Kingdom of Benin who reigned from c. 1483 AD – c. 1504 AD. He greatly expanded the Kingdom through warfare and increased contact with the Portuguese Empire, and was later called Ozolua n'Ibaromi, meaning Ozolua the Conqueror in Edo. He was an important Oba in the history of the Kingdom of Benin and retains importance in the folklore and celebrations of the region.
Chief Jacob Uwadiae Egharevba (1893–1981) was a Bini historian and traditional chief whose writings specialized in the history of Benin Kingdom.
Ewuare, originally known as Prince Ogun, was the twelfth Oba of the Benin Empire from 1440 until 1473. Ewuare became king in a violent coup against his brother Uwaifiokun which destroyed much of Benin City. After the war, Ewuare rebuilt much of the city of Benin, reformed political structures in the kingdom, greatly expanded the territory of the kingdom, and fostered the arts and festivals. He left a significant legacy in the Kingdom of Benin
Ikegobo, the Edo term for "altars to the Hand," are a type of cylindrical sculpture from the Benin Empire. Used as a cultural marker of an individual's accomplishments, Ikegobo are dedicated to the hand, from which the people of Benin considered the will for wealth and success to originate. These commemorative objects are made of wood or brass with figures carved in relief around their sides.
The Kingdom of Benin, also known as the Edo Kingdom or Benin Kingdom, is a kingdom within what is now southern Nigeria. It has no historical relation to the modern republic of Benin, which was known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975. The Kingdom of Benin's capital was Edo, now known as Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria. The Benin Kingdom was "one of the oldest and most developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa". It grew out of the previous Edo Kingdom of Igodomigodo around the 11th century AD, and lasted until it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.
Igue festival is a celebration with its origin in the Benin Kingdom of Edo State, southern Nigeria. One tradition states that the festival date coincided with the marriage of Ewuare to a wife named Ewere. Celebrated between Christmas and New Year, the festival includes the Oba's blessing of the land and his people. During the Igue ritual season, the Oba is prohibited from being in the presence of any non-native person.
Court and ceremonial art makes up a vital corpus of Benin art. Private and public ceremonies mark many of the important moments in Benin’s yearly calendar. In the past, an elaborate series of rites were performed throughout the year to secure otherworldly support for the kingdom’s well-being and to celebrate decisive events in its history.
Unuamen also spelt Unuame is an ancient village community by Ovia river in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Unuame is about 15 kilometres (9 mi) from Benin City and 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Benin Airport. Unuame is one of the ancestral homes of Oba Esigie's maternal grandfather and home town to some group of Binis. The people of Unuame have remained loyal to the monarch since the establishment of the ancient Kingdom of Benin. Being a part of the Kingdom of Benin, Unuame is at the heart of the tropical rainforest in the southern part of Nigeria, way to the west of the delta of the Niger River and inland from the coast.
Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwen, Eweka II was the thirty-sixth Oba of Benin, reigning from 1914 to 1933.
Oguola was the fifth Oba of the Benin Kingdom, reigning from 1280 AD to 1295 AD. His reign was marked by achievements in fortifying the city of Benin, enhancing its defences, and contributing to the cultural and economic development of the kingdom. Born into the royal family, Oguola's ascent to the throne was prompted by the extended absence of his elder brother, Prince Obuobu, who was engaged in military campaigns. This unorthodox succession was a pragmatic decision by the kingdom's elders and advisors to ensure stability and effective leadership during a critical period.
Eweka I was the first Oba of Benin and presided over the kingdom's shift from the Ogiso Dynasty to the establishment of the Obaship. His 35-year reign had a notable impact on the political, cultural, and traditional aspects of the kingdom. Before Eweka I's rule, the Benin Kingdom faced uncertainty due to the banishment of Owodo, the last Ogiso, for misrule. Oduduwa, who was the father of Oromiyan had been exiled to Uhe (Ife), which eventually set the stage for Eweka I's ascension to power. The turning point occurred when Oduduwa sent his son, Oromiyan, to Benin as an emissary. Oromiyan's arrival was met with resistance, leading to his settlement in Usama, on the outskirts of Benin City.
Osemwende, originally known as Prince Eredia-uwa, was the thirty-third Oba of Benin who reigned from c. 1816 AD – c. 1848 AD. He was the son of Oba Obanosa and the brother of Ogbebo, whom he defeated in a civil war to claim the throne. He restored peace and stability to the kingdom after a turbulent period of succession crisis and expanded and consolidated his empire through military conquests and diplomatic alliances. He also promoted trade and commerce with foreign nations, especially the Portuguese, and fostered art and learning among his people. He was revered as a wise and benevolent ruler who brought good tidings to his kingdom.
Ewedo, originally known as Prince Efabo, was the fourth Oba of the Kingdom of Benin who reigned from c. 1255 AD – c. 1280 AD. He was the only son and successor of Ehenmihen. He is credited with moving the seat of his government from Usama to the present palace site, introducing various gods and laws, and changing the name of the country from Ile or Ile-Ibinu to Ubini (Benin). He also reformed the political and administrative system of the kingdom, established a palace bureaucracy, and expanded the territory and influence of Benin.
Ehengbuda served as the eighteenth Oba of the Benin Empire, with a reign from c. 1578 AD – c. 1606 AD. Succeeding his father, Orhogbua, the first Oba to initiate contact with Europeans, Ehengbuda expanded the empire's territory westward and eastward, solidifying control over tributary states. He also engaged in diplomacy and trade with the Portuguese and English, acquiring gifts such as a telescope. His death in a maritime storm while returning from a visit to his colony in Lagos marked the end of the era of warrior kings in Benin history, as the subsequent Obas delegated the command of the military to their chiefs.
Ohuan, originally known as Prince Odogbo, was the nineteenth Oba of Benin who ruled from circa 1606 AD to 1641 AD. He was the only son of Ehengbuda, and he succeeded his father after his death. He is known for his unusual birth story, his rebellion against his Iyase Ogina, and his expansion of the Benin Kingdom through warfare. He died without an heir, leading to a succession crisis and a decline of the kingdom.
Olua was the fourteenth Oba of Benin who reigned from c. 1473 AD – c. 1480 AD. He was the second child of Ewuare. Olua's reign is noted for his actions and the establishment of the Itsekiri kingdom through his son Iginuwa.
Ohen was the eighth Oba (monarch) of the Benin Kingdom, who ruled from c. 1334 AD – c. 1370 AD. He was the son and successor of Oba Oguola, who had conquered the Ekiti and Akure kingdoms and built the first moat around Benin City. He expanded the Benin Empire to the west and east, and increased its control over several tributary states. He also interacted with the Portuguese and the English, and received gifts such as a telescope from them.
Egbeka was the ninth Oba of Benin, ruling from 1370 AD to 1400 AD. He was the eldest son of Oba Ohen and took over the throne after his father's death.
Ewuakpe was the twenty-sixth Oba of Benin. Originally known as Idova, he was enthroned following his father Akenuzama's abdication due to old age. His ascension was intended to circumvent a prophecy by Ewuare the Great that foretold governmental upheaval under an Oba named Idova. However, his early rule faced resistance, with key figures and the general populace of Benin distancing themselves from palace activities and ceasing to provide necessary support for its operations. This led Ewuakpe to depart from Benin City and reside in Ikoka, the village of his mother, where he experienced additional adversity and engaged in humble tasks. The root of this widespread disapproval was traced back to a violent act he ordered during his mother's funeral. In a time of hardship, Ewuakpe sought the chiefs' support through traditional music and entreaty. A significant shift occurred when Iden, his spouse, consented to a ritual sacrifice to the gods, which resulted in the restoration of Ewuakpe's authority. This act influenced the chiefs to reaffirm their loyalty, thereby reinstating Ewuakpe's leadership. Following this event, Ewuakpe initiated reforms and strengthened his hold on power, which had a lasting impact on the kingdom's governance.
References
Citations
- 1 2 3 Walker 2006, p. 336.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Egharevba 1968, p. 11–12.
- 1 2 3 Peavy 2010, p. 149.
- ↑ Egharevba 1968, p. 12.
- ↑ Association of African Historians 1998, p. 41.
- 1 2 Egharevba 1947, p. 11.
Bibliography
- Egharevba, Jacob U. (1968). A Short History of Benin. Ibadan University Press. ISBN 978-978-121-239-0.
- Walker, Robin (2006). When We Ruled. London: Every Generation Media. ISBN 978-0-9551068-0-4.
- Peavy, Daryl (25 March 2010). Kings, Magic, and Medicine. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-557-18370-8.
- Egharevba, J.U. (1947). Concise Lives of the Famous Iyases of Benin. Temi-Asunwon. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- Association of African Historians (1998). Afrika Zamani (in Polish). Association des historiens africains. ISSN 0257-5760 . Retrieved 17 January 2024.