The Oba’s position, as divine ruler of the Benins, and later adjoining areas, must have stemmed from the absolute loyalty and devotion demanded by his exalted position as the supreme God’s representative, and given to him unstintingly by the people and chiefs, who helped rule and maintain his high office.
According to the illustrious Benin historian, Dr. Jacob Egharevba, in his Book, A short History of Benin, (Ibadan University Press, 1968, 4th Edition), this power was put succinctly: “the Oba had his seat in Benin City (Edo) and his decision in any matter was unalterable: thus, it is easy to see, how much power had to be protected and had to lead to expansionist tendencies.
Egharevba describes the extent of the empire thus: “…extended to Otun (the boundary between Oyo and Benin) in the north, the sea in the south, Asaba in the east, and Eko (Lagos) in the west. It included the Ekas, Ishans, Kukuruku, Ekitis, Owos, Itsekiris, Urhobos, Ijaws and Ondos. The Oba also had considerable power in the Ibo country on both sides of the River Niger (Ohinmwin) and at Bonny.”
The Historian further explained the war rationale against some countries or towns about three years after their successions: “if any one of (of his vassals) refused to accept sacred chalk (or pay the necessary tribute).” Usually, conquest meant occupation by the conquering force loyal to the Oba, and thus referring to Benin, any other town conquered by their own rights and power.
“The Iyase (Premier) was the Commander-in-chief; the Ezomo came next, then the Ologbosere, and Imaran, followed by Edogun, Ezomonurogho, Agboghidi of Ugo and the Ogie Ebue. The Ohen-Okhuahe was the doctor. If the lesser generals could not conquer any town or country, the Iyase would be sent. He would not be allowed to return to Benin City if he failed; but would remain in one of the Benin towns as ruler. No other Iyase would be appointed until his death.”
In an earlier work, Benin Monarchy: Origin and Development, being part of a paper I was to have presented at a symposium at Urhokpota Hall on the 10th anniversary of Oba Erediauwa on the throne of Benin Kingdom, in February 1989, under the auspices of the Benin Arts Council, I summarized highlights of the Kingdom as follows:
The practice of sending an Oba’s son as Enogie to rule over the villages in Benin Division, started during the period of the Ogisos. The example was followed by the Obas from the time of Oranmiyan. The Enogie of Ego, the maternal grandfather of Oba Eweka 1, was the 9th Enogie of Ego; he was ruling Ego at the time Oranmiyan arrived from Ife about 117 A.D.
Eweka 1 (about 1200) introduced and created counselors of state or kingmakers, known as the Uzama wit: Oliha, Edohen, Ezomo, Ero, Eholo N’Ire and Oloton, whose titles are hereditary. Their leader, Oliha, performs the crowning of any new Oba. Oba Ewuare the Great, about 1440 A.D to 1473 A.D, classified the Edaiken, the Oba’s Heir, with the kingmakers, bringing their number to seven (7). They then came to be known as Uzama N’Ihinron.
Brass casting, for which Benin became very proficient and famous, was introduced by Oba Oguola, who reigned from about 1280 A.D to 1295 A.D. The first and second moats were dug by Oguola in about 1280 and 1290 A.D.
Ewuare the Great (Ewuare Ogidigan), who reigned about 1440 to 1473 A.D, was the greatest Oba that ever reigned on the Benin throne. Combining the qualities of soldier and statesman, he extended the Benin Empire by capturing 201 towns and villages, and caused the people to pay tribute to him. He turned Benin into a city, and made walls and moats around the city. The third moat was dug by Oba Ewuare about 1460 A.D. to prevent mass exodus of the Benins because of his stringent laws after the death of his two sons, Kuoboyuwa and Zuware, on the same day.
After the demise of Ewuare the Great, about 1473 A.D, his second son, Olua, became the Oba, and it was the son of Olua, by name Iginua, later titled Odihi-n’Amen, who later founded and became the first king of Itsekiri people. This story is undisputed and accepted by the Itsekiri people. The period was about 1480 A.D. Olua, himself, did not fare well; he reigned for only seven years.
There was a period of three years of republican government, following the passing away of Oba Olua. During the years, Benin City was pillaged by people of various villages and neighbouring towns. This made Benin people to invite Prince Okpame, Ezoti’s brother in exile, to take over the throne. He was persuaded to accept and was later crowned Oba Ozolua at Usama. Like Napoleon Bonaparte of France, he fought and won desperate battles to subdue all those towns and villages that harassed Benin. He became nicknamed Ozolua N’Ibaromi-Eko, Ozolua the Conqueror. He subdued Owo people and also conquered Ijebu – Ode and ruled the land for some years. He made his several sons the chiefs over the conquered towns and villages. It was during Ozolua’s reign that a Portuguese explorer, John Affonso D’Aveino, first visited Benin in 1845 – 6, when he introduced guns and coconuts into Benin. The Benin Empire was greatly enlarged during his reign and the appellation, Ogie Akpolokpolo (Emperor) of Benin. The title Oba was first used to address Ozolua.
The next Oba was Esigie, son of Ozolua, about 1504 A.D. His mother, Idia, was a powerful figure, who took part to aid her son during the Idah war (1515 – 1516). She was the first woman to be made a chief and given the title IYOBA (Queen Mother) of Uselu.
John Affonso D’Aveino paid his second visit to Benin during the reign of Esigie. He introduced Christianity to Benin and the Oba sent an ambassador to Portugal for the first time. Exchange of gifts between the Oba and King of Portugal led to the opening of trade between the two kingdoms. Esigie encouraged and developed Benin brass works, which had been introduced by Oba Oguola. Esigie studied and spoke Portuguese language. During his reign, guns were used for the first time at war; his mother introduced Ekasa dance. The Igue festival was also introduced by Esigie. It was he who also introduced the Chief’s Drum, Ema-Edo, Ema-Ighan, after the Idah war.
Esigie’s eldest son came to the throne about 1550 A.D. on his father’s departure. He was titled Orhogbua. He was educated as a youth in one of the Portuguese colonial schools and was baptized into the Christian faith. He established a war camp, Eko, on Lagos Island, from where he attacked his enemies. Eko, in Bini language, means camp. After the war, he sent one of his grandsons, Esikpa, to be the Eleko of Eko, instead of withdrawing his army home. By this means, many important towns in the neighbouring districts were added to Benin Empire.
The Portuguese called Eko, Lagos, because of its lagoons resemblance to a small port with lagoons in Portugal, bearing the same name. On the death of Esikpa, his remains were brought to Benin City for interment. The successors, the Elekos, were also interred in Benin, i.e. Edo. In time, the rulers of Lagos were called Oba of Lagos. Till this day, there are titled chiefs in Lagos named after Benin Chiefs e.g. Ashogbon (Esogban), Bajulaye (Bazuaye), Oshodi (Oshodin), and several others.
The richest king that ever sat on the Benin throne was Akenzua 1 (1713 – 1735 A.D). There was a period of peace and prosperity during his reign; because of his wealth, he was nicknamed Akenzua Niso-norho (Akenzua the rainy sky). He arranged yearly festivities for dancing and merriment because of the peaceful atmosphere that pervaded his reign. He was the father of the Obi of Iselle-Uku.
There were no outstanding developments in Benin Monarchy until the reign of Ovonranmwen (1888). He was the eldest son of Oba Adolor. Soon after his ascension to the throne, he had chiefs Obaraye, Obazelu, Osia, Eribo and others put to death on the charge that they had opposed his ascension. He also executed Obarudu-Agbon and Esasoyen, two principal chiefs of the House of Iwebo, and others on charges of murder of Uwangue Egiebo, his great favourite, in 1895.
In May, 1891, at the Royal Coral Beads Ceremony, a human being was sacrificed. Before his execution, the victim prophesied the impending problem for Benin and their Oba. This came to pass when the British punitive expedition struck in 1897. There followed a trade dispute between Chief Nana of Benin River and the Oba, following prohibition of trade between Itsekiris and Binis. After some settlement, the Oba demanded 20,000 iron roofing sheets from Itsekiri Chiefs Dore Numa, Dudu and others. The Oba wanted the sheets to roof his entire palace. Although the Itsekiris agreed, the request was not carried out before the British Expedition took place.
Oba Ovonramwen was later exiled to Calabar, where he died in 1914. That period ended the 2nd period of Benin Kingdom. Many unsuccessful attempts have been made to locate his grave to date.
Eweka II ascended the throne on the passing away of Ovonranmwen, and he reigned under British supervision until 1933. He rebuilt the palace that was burnt and destroyed by the British in 1897. The powers of Benin Monarchy started on the decline from then on. He had no army of his own, no administrative power, and no power to order any one to be killed, as it used to be.
His son, Akenzua II, an educated Oba from Kings’ College, Lagos, carried on with limited powers, like his father, being given a staff of office. He was highly revered by both the British colonialists and the early politicians, who took over the hegemony of the country, after the overthrow of colonialism. He joined his ancestors in 1978. He abolished several shrines and traditional practices during his time.
His successor, Oba Erediauwa, the eldest son of Akenzua II, was a Cambridge University graduate, and very versed in Benin History and Culture. He resuscitated several moribund shrines and traditional practices all over Benin Kingdom. Like his father, he vehemently opposed the promulgation of the Land Use decree of 1978. He embarked on the promotion of several aspects of Benin culture to unify the Benins and all Edo-speaking people all over the country. He fought tenaciously to get properly defined roles for Traditional Rulers in the Nigerian Constitution, both in the current one and the new one that was being debated for future drafting. He was the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Benin Monarchy is not rotational, like in some other parts of the country. It is from father to son, undisputed. There used to be a time when any son of the Oba could succeed him; but since the time of Oba Ewuakpe, the strict rule has been that the eldest surviving son automatically succeeds the Oba on the throne. Akenzua I, (1713 – 1735) was the eldest son of Oba Ewuakpe.
No female has ever sat on the Benin throne. However, the Benin Monarchy has come from the same line of Oronmiyan in 1170; this has been possibly, thankfully due to the polygamous custom of marriage practiced by the Benins and in the royal palace. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it was not the custom for the heir-apparent to have a brother of full blood, in order to avert rivalry for the throne at a later stage. Since the first half of the 20th century, the rule was relaxed by Oba Akenzua II, who was more enlightened in the modern sense.
It is interesting to observe that before the advent of the Europeans, as trade partners and later as colonialists, Benin had always had a prison. The well-known prison, called Ewedo in Benin, was first established by Oba Ewedo who reigned between 1255– 1280 A.D. The prison was named after him. The prison guards or keepers were known as Erigbo, and the inmates were called Eseghan.
● Chief Osemwengie Ebohon is a Chief Priest in Benin. [The article was first published in The Navigator Newspaper on Monday, 15th April, 2024]
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