Complete List Of Obas Of Benin (1200-Present)
The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom in present-day Nigeria, dating back to the 13th century.
And, the kingdom grew into a powerful empire known for its art and trade with Europeans. Notable Obas include Ewuare the Great, who expanded the kingdom and established royal traditions.
However, the British invaded in 1897, exiling Oba Ovonramwen and weakening the monarchy. After Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the Oba’s power was reduced, but he remains a cultural symbol for the Edo people today.
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List Of Obas Of Benin Kingdom From The Period Of Pre-Imperial Benin Till Date
| Period | Name | Reign |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Eweka I | 1200 AD – 1235 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Uwakhuahen | 1235 AD – 1243 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Ehenmihen | 1243 AD – 1255 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Ewedo | 1255 AD – 1280 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Oguola | 1280 AD – 1295 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Edoni | 1295 AD – 1299 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Udagbedo | 1299 AD – 1334 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Ohen | 1334 AD – 1370 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Egbeka | 1370 AD – 1400 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Orobiru | 1400 AD – 1430 AD |
| Pre-Imperial Benin | Uwaifiokun | 1430 AD – 1440 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ewuare The Great | 1440 AD – 1473 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ezoti | Reigned for 14 days |
| Imperial Benin | Olua | 1473 AD – 1480 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ozolua | 1483 AD – 1504 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Esigie | 1504 AD – 1550 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Orhogbua | 1550 AD – 1578 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ehengbuda | 1578 AD – 1606 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ohuan | 1606 AD – 1641 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ohenzae | 1641 AD – 1661 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Akenzae | 1661 AD – 1669 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Akengboi | 1669 AD – 1675 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ahenkpaye | 1675 AD – 1684 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Akengbedo | 1684 AD – 1689 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Oroghene | 1689 AD – 1700 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ewuakpe | 1700 AD – 1712 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ozuere | 1712 AD – 1713 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Akenzua I | 1713 AD – 1735 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Eresoyen | 1735 AD – 1750 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Akengbuda | 1750 AD – 1804 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Obanosa | 1804 AD – 1816 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ogbebo | 1816 AD (Reigned for 8 months) |
| Imperial Benin | Osemwende | 1816 AD – 1848 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Adolo | 1848 AD – 1888 AD |
| Imperial Benin | Ovonramwen N'Ogbaise | 1888 AD – 1914 AD |
| Post-Imperial Benin | Eweka II | 1914 AD – 1933 AD |
| Post-Imperial Benin | Akenzua II | 1933 AD – 1978 AD |
| Post-Imperial Benin | Erediauwa | 1979 AD – 2016 AD |
| Post-Imperial Benin | Ewuare II | 2016 – present |
Who Was The First Oba Of Benin?
Eweka I is known as the first Oba of Benin. He ruled from 1200 AD to 1235 AD and was Instrumental in changing the way the kingdom was governed. Before Eweka I, the Benin Kingdom was under the Ogiso Dynasty.
The last Ogiso, Owodo, was banished due to bad leadership, which created a time of confusion in the kingdom. During this time, Oduduwa, who was the father of Oromiyan, had been exiled to Ife.
Oduduwa sent his son, Oromiyan, to Benin to see if the people were ready for a new leader. To test their loyalty, Oromiyan asked them to take care of a louse for three years.
This strange task was meant to show how committed they were to their future king. The people completed the task, which proved their loyalty.
Despite this, Oromiyan realized that he was not fully in tune with Benin culture. He decided to step back and let someone from Benin take the throne. This led to the rise of Eweka I.
Eweka was born to an Oromiyan and an Edo woman named Erinwinde. He was well-connected to both Yoruba and Benin traditions, which made him a suitable leader for the kingdom.
When Eweka I became Oba, he emphasized the importance of rulers who understood Benin culture, which was a major shift from the past.
The term “Oba,” which means king, became widely used during his reign. Eweka I’s leadership helped to unify the kingdom and established the foundations for future rulers.
However, Eweka I’s reign lasted 35 years, during which he impacted the political and cultural landscape of Benin. He passed away in 1235 AD, and his legacy lived on through his son, Oba Uwakhuahen.
Who Was The Most Powerful Oba Of Benin?
Ewuare, also known as Ewuare the Great, is considered the most powerful Obas of the Benin Empire. He ruled from 1440 until he died in 1473. Ewuare came to power after a fierce struggle against his brother, Uwaifiokun.
This conflict led to changes in the city of Benin, including much destruction and later rebuilding. Ewuare was originally named Prince Ogun. He was the third son of Oba Ohen. After a series of events that included his father’s downfall, Ewuare was exiled.
During his time away, he learned about magic and herbs. A famous story tells how he helped a lion by removing a thorn from its paw. In gratitude, the lion gave him a magical talisman.
With this talisman, he later returned to Benin, set parts of the city on fire, and ultimately killed his brother to claim the throne. Once he became king, Ewuare focused on strengthening his rule.
Before him, the power of the Oba was limited by the uzama, a group of chiefs. Ewuare reduced their influence by establishing a clear line of succession to ensure that the Oba’s first-born son would inherit the throne.
He also created new titles and positions to manage the kingdom better. This made the Oba’s power much stronger than before. Ewuare was a great builder and reformer.
He redesigned Benin City, constructing strong walls and moats around it. He made large boulevards and divided areas for different crafts, which helped improve trade and the economy. His military conquests expanded the empire greatly, claiming over 200 victories against neighboring regions.
In addition to his military and political achievements, Ewuare was a patron of the arts. He encouraged the creation of bronze sculptures and wood carvings, which became symbols of Benin’s rich culture.
One of his lasting contributions was the Igue festival which celebrated his magical powers and the connection between the Obas and the people.
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Who Is The Current Oba Of Benin?
The current Oba of Benin is Ewuare II, who was crowned on October 20, 2016. Ewuare II is the 39th Oba of Benin, a title that has existed since around the 12th century. Ewuare II was born on October 20, 1953, and before he became the Oba, he went by the name Eheneden Erediauwa.
He attended Edo College in Benin City and Immaculate Conception College. Later, he moved to London to earn his A-Level Certificate.
He then studied Economics at the University of Wales in the UK and completed a Master of Public Administration at Rutgers University in the United States. Before ascending the throne, Ewuare II had an impressive career.
He worked at the United Nations in the early 1980s and served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to several countries, including Angola and Italy.
With that said, Ewuare II has focused on many important issues. One of his first actions was to call for the return of the Benin Bronzes, which were taken during a British invasion in 1897.
These artifacts hold great cultural significance for the people of Benin. He has been vocal about this cause, working with local and international groups to ensure these treasures return home.
Ewuare II has also taken steps to address human trafficking. In 2018, he issued a curse against any juju priest involved in trafficking and revoked previous curses used to manipulate victims.
During his reign, he has built a close relationship with the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki. They work together on different development projects to improve the lives of the people in the region. Ewuare II has also encouraged peaceful conduct among political leaders during elections.
