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44-566: When King Ozolua died in the fifteenth century, he left behind two sons to dispute the royal succession: Esigie controlled Benin City , the kingdom's metropolitan center, while his brother Arhuaran was based in Udo - an important provincial seat 20 miles away. Neither prince was prepared to yield to the other, partisans soon declared for one or the other, and Benin was plunged into a civil war shortly thereafter. Seeing an opportunity to take advantage of

88-497: A clear succession going to the first-born son. In adopting this primogeniture lineage system, the authority of the uzama was greatly decreased. In addition, to clarify the situation, Ewuare developed the Edaiken title for the oldest son to clearly establish the lineage. One oral history dates this development to a situation in the city of Uselu. The chief of Uselu, Iken, had become an ally to Ewuare. At one point, another city

132-399: A coterie of aristocratic girls that were expected to wait upon her while simultaneously learning about the inner workings of her office - would in turn eventually become members of her son's own harem (and thus potential Iyobas themselves). A comparatively small number would remain in her service for life as her titular wives , this being due to the fact that a person of her rank and position

176-512: A different source of the scarification that developed in the Kingdom. Oral histories used by Egharevba suggest that during his reign, his oldest son Kuoboyuwa (the ruler of Iken) and his second son Ezuwarha (who had become the ruler of Iyowa) became rivals and ended up poisoning each other causing Ewuare to go into significant mourning. In his sorrow, Ewuare passed a law prohibiting sex in the kingdom for three years which resulted in many members of

220-452: A new office - that of Iyoba - for her to occupy. Now ranking equal to the senior chiefs of the royal court, the Iyoba was also built her own palace in the town of Uselu , which was thereafter attached to her title as a perpetual fief . She was the first woman in the history of Benin to have such power. A presumptive Iyoba's principal function within the harem during her husband's lifetime

264-475: A royal conversion to Christianity in exchange for trade in firearms (at least one source indicates that he himself went to Portugal at some point ). The Portuguese did not agree, but did send a group of missionaries to the kingdom in 1514. The missionaries soon left, as the kingdom was not interested in Christianity unless this was coupled to the facilitation of trade in firearms. The end of Ozolua's reign

308-496: A variety of sources. At one point, he felt the need to sleep under the sacred uloko tree and the tree told him to return to Benin City and reclaim the throne. On his way back to the city, he removed an infected thorn from a lion's paw and the lion gave him a magic Talisman which he could use to create any situation in the world he desired. He arrived in Benin City surprised to find a parade for his brother Uwaifaikon while

352-538: Is bound with a number of important folktales in the region. It is known that he had two sons, Esigie and Arhuahan and that at the end of his reign there was a war regarding royal succession between the two brothers and Esigie became the new Oba of the Benin Kingdom. One popular story holds that in his old age, Ozolua mistakenly named his son Arhuahan the ruler of Udo (a small village in the Kingdom) rather than

396-648: 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. Prince Okpame

440-586: The uzama , a group of hereditary chieftains throughout the kingdom. The uzama were able to appoint the Oba of Benin upon the death of an Oba and could limit any efforts by the Oba. The rise of Ewuare to a position of power is chronicled by Benin's oral history. Ewuare was born as the third son of the Oba Ohen . At this point, Ewuare was known by the name Prince Ogun. Ohen was deposed and stoned to death after both of his legs were paralyzed since it meant he lost

484-533: The Binis - including many that had previously supported Arhuaran - to Esigie's standard. After dealing decisively with her stepson, the royal pair turned their attention to the Igala rebels. Following a hard-fought campaign, Benin's supremacy was restored, and the victorious army - with Esigie and Idia at its head - returned to the capital in triumph. In gratitude for his mother's efforts on his behalf, King Esigie created

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528-622: The Igue festival, which was originally celebrated as a festival to renew his magical powers. One oral history says that the date of the Igue festival was set initially to the marriage between Ewuare and a wife named Ewere. He is also said to have founded the Ugie Erha Ọba festival which honored the Obas. Details about his death are not generally known but Egharevba says that he was buried at Esi, near

572-458: The Iyoba was the only woman in the kingdom that was constitutionally empowered to participate. As a chief of high rank, she served as the commander of her own military regiment - the Queen's Own . Following her death, an Iyoba became the patron goddess of her son the king. As part of her funerary ceremonies, he was expected to commission art that would decorate her personal altar in the shrine of

616-569: The Portuguese and the Oba were initiated. This established limited trade between the two empires, to be expanded greatly starting in the 1480s. The king of Portugal developed a close alliance with Oba Esigie, who was the first Oba of Benin to have spoken Portuguese. Ewuare greatly expanded the arts in Benin during his reign and was aided greatly in this through increased trade. Ewuare is generally credited with expanding ivory and wood carving in

660-437: The Portuguese, he claimed to have been victorious in over 200 battles. These victories earned him the title Ozolua n'Ibarmoi , meaning Ozolua the Conqueror in Edo , and in statues and artwork he is often displayed as a great warrior. Although limited trade and contact with the Portuguese had begun under his father Ewuare, the contact expanded significantly under Ozolua with Portuguese explorer John Alfonso d'Aveiro entering

704-405: The capital Benin City in 1485 and accompanying Ozolua, although not participating, in war. Ozolua was intrigued by the possibilities of firearms for expansion of the kingdom but was informed by d'Aveiro that firearm trade was only possible with Christian allies of the Portuguese. As a result, Ozolua sent an ambassador to Portugal in the early 1500s to propose missionary activity in the kingdom and

748-414: The city and Esigie's army flee to avoid battle. Arhuahan returns disappointed that he did not have the chance at victory and the villagers seeing his dejected return assume the worst and throw his possessions into the lake, he follows his possessions never to be seen again. Although sources agree on the general date of the end of his reign at 1504, they disagree on the date of death. Hastings claims that he

792-616: The death of Orobiru, both Ogun and Uwaifaikon were banished from the city, but then Uwaifaikon was able to return, lied to the Uzama, and was named king. One popular oral history contends that while Prince Ogun was exiled he performed a favour for a jungle spirit and as a result got a magic bag, called Agbavboko . Agbavboko had the magical qualities that no matter what Ogun put into the bag, it had more space and whenever he reached in he could pull out whatever he desired. During his travels, he gathered significant magical and herbal knowledge from

836-400: The divine powers. A controversy arose upon the death of Ohen when both Prince Ogun and his brother Prince Irughe were exiled by Oba Orobiru, Ohen's second son. Ohen's first son, Oba Egbeka had ruled upon their father's death but did not last long. In exile Ogun then traveled widely throughout the region visiting many different kingdoms. Local historian Jacob U. Egharevba contended that after

880-420: The empire and the creation of Bronze heads for shrines to deceased Obas. In addition, Ewuare began many of the royal decoration traditions involving coral. In both folktales and artistic representations, Ewuare is considered someone with significant magical powers. His herbal and magical knowledge is attested to in a number of significant art work from the era. Crucial in this is the creation during Ewuare of

924-452: The empire. His early reforms and developments are seen as early acts of indigenous modernization in Africa. The story in which Ewuare got his name happened when he was wandering around the kingdom. One day he passed by a farm when he heard a farmer call out to his son, “Ewuare!”, asking of the boy to bring him some ikan. Ewuare, at the time Prince Ogun, liked both the sound and the meaning of

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968-470: The freeborn population to work in the palace for small wages as part of these different orders. In addition, Ewuare was successful at taking over a number of cities and towns in the region for expanding the empire. He personally led the army against many of the Edo communities, living west of the Niger river, and key Yoruba settlements like Akure and Owo . In towns that he took over, he quickly replaced

1012-637: The honorific Ogidigan (the Great) was appended and he is often known as Ewuare Ogidigan or Ewuare the Great. The date for his rise to the throne is usually dated to 1440. To honor the slave that had sacrificed his life to save his, Ewuare also renamed the city to Edo (now Benin City). Ewuare is often considered a key state-reformer and crucial in many aspects of state formation in the Benin empire . He consolidated

1056-454: The house and gathered his supporters and was able to assert his right to the throne. In Egharevba's version, during a visit to the city during his exile, Ogun was taken in by a prominent chief who hid him in a dried well but then went to tell the authorities. The head slave of the chief, named Edo, let down a ladder into the well and advised Ewuare to escape. Ogun then took the name Ewuare translated to "the trouble has ceased". Eventually,

1100-465: The incident. Ewuare also created two additional layers of administration in towns and villages with the creation of the Eghabho n'ore (town chiefs) and Eghabho n'ogbe (palace chiefs). These acted as administrative arms, directly appointed and accountable to the Oba, who would collect tribute, deal with legal issues, and generally take part of the affairs of state. To foster this, Ewuare encouraged

1144-415: The kingdom migrating to other areas. Ewuare overturned the law but because few migrants returned, he told all neighboring states to refuse to give entry to his citizens and developed the scarification practice to allow clear identification of their citizens. While on the throne, Ewuare met the Portuguese explorer, Ruy de Sequiera in 1473. It is unclear whether he went into the city, but contacts between

1188-407: The kings in the palace. The Iyobas were the only class of women that was honoured in the shrine. There is currently no living Iyoba. Be that as it may, Princess Eghiunwe Akenzua, the late mother of the incumbent Oba Ewuare II , was posthumously invested with the title by her son during his coronation in 2016. Ozolua Ozolua , originally known as Prince Okpame , was the fifteenth Oba of

1232-508: The people were in destitute circumstances. Prince Ogun used the talisman to set large parts of the city on fire. He then reached into Agbavboko and pulled out a bow with a poison arrow which he then used to assassinate Uwaifaikon. In the confusion that ensued, he hid with a slave, named Edo, that had taken care of him when he was young and who recognized him immediately in the chaos. Supporters of Uwaifaikon entered Edo's house and killed him trying to find Ogun who had hidden. Ogun then exited

1276-454: The power of the Oba, changed lineage procedures, and created an administrative structure for the Empire. In addition, he greatly expanded the empire and took over a significant territory. A major administrative development undertaken by Ewuare was reducing the power of the uzama chiefs which were a limiting force on the Oba. Ewuare removed their ability to appoint the Oba and instead adopted

1320-546: The royal house, even challenged from birth. Ewuare's name means "the trouble has ceased", referring to when he finally gained the throne after rebelling against Uwaifiokun. During his reign, Edo was rebuilt and possibly started the construction of the Benin Moats. He was the founder of Benin's "Imperial Era" and expanded the Benin Empire in all directions. He was also the first Oba to meet the Portuguese in 1473. He

1364-411: The ruler of Edo (or Benin City , the capital of the Kingdom). Regardless, the confusion brings the two sons into warfare. According to the tale, Arhuahan brings together a substantial force and with significant confidence tells the people remaining in his city that if he fails to be victorious they should throw every possession of his into the nearby lake. As his army pushes to Benin City, the resident of

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1408-536: The ruling elite with chiefs of his administrative system who were his allies. Oral history recount 201 victories by Ewuare over the various cities and towns creating a large empire centered in Edo. The capital city of the empire was rebuilt during Ewuare with significant redesign. Around Benin City (then Edo), Ewuare built significant walls and moats, large boulevards within the city, and clearly divided zones for different craft work. Archeological evidence has found that

1452-420: The situation, the hitherto vassal Igala people declared their independence from Benin and seized a swath of territory to its north. In the span of a week, Esigie found himself confronted with what now seemed like the almost certain fragmentation of his father's kingdom. His mother, Idia , is reputed to have stood behind him at this time. By serving as everything from his counsellor to his priestess, she rallied

1496-441: The walls built around the palace and the city, and even out into the country, were significant constructions taking multiple years to complete. In addition, he rebuilt the palace and created a clear division between it and the rest of the capital city. The division was further emphasized through the introduction by Ewuare of scarification for freeborn citizens to differentiate them from the slave population. Egharevba establishes

1540-520: 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 Ewuare was most likely born in the Benin Royal Palace in Benin City and he wasn’t proclaimed heir. Originally named Prince Ogun, he was an insignificant member of

1584-418: The word. It was a prayer. Ogun wandered on the farm, engaging in a conversation with the farmer, telling him he liked the name of the farmer’s son. He asked to buy the name from the farmer so he could use it for himself. The farmer was confused but eventually accepted. Ogun gave him the money and left. Days later, he passed by the farm, overhearing the name be said by the farmer to his son once again. Ogun felt he

1628-399: Was a key general and from oral history, recounted 201 victories against other cities and states. Gaining power after seizing the throne from Uwaifiokun in 1440, he reformed the administration of the Benin Empire and transformed it into an imperial state through conquest. He was the first Oba to establish limited trade with the Portuguese in 1473 and gradually began to acquire firearms for

1672-514: Was deposed in 1504 and assassinated by military leaders when the promise of firearms did not materialize. Most other sources date his death from natural causes to 1520. Ewuare Ewuare (also Ewuare the Great or Ewuare I ), 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

1716-465: Was named the Oba in 1483 after a three-year interregnum and took the name Ozolua . His rule was defined largely by significant military expansion of the Kingdom of Benin . This included a successful attack against the Kingdom of Owo . While historical accounts of the battle differ, the result left Owo with its independence while still requiring that it pay tribute to Benin. In diplomatic exchanges with

1760-401: Was revolting against Ewuare's rule and Iken mobilized an army to end the revolt. Because he did not have anyone to rule Uselu, Ewuare sent his oldest son Kuoboyuwa to serve in the town until the war was over. Iken died in the fighting and since he had no heir, Kuoboyuwa became the ruler. This incident created a clear succession to the oldest son of the king with the title Edaiken derived from

1804-404: Was robbed after he brought the name and the boy still had it. Ogun then sought to kill the boy as he felt it was the only remedy to the situation. Ogun hid in bushes on the edges of the farm, waiting for the boy to approach. When the boy soon approached, Ogun was said to pounce on him, smothering him and strangling him. Prior to Ewuare, the Oba of Benin was limited in their power and authority by

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1848-433: Was the third and the youngest son of Ewuare who had significantly expanded the Kingdom of Benin during his reign from 1440 until 1473. Following the death of Ewuare, his eldest surviving son, Esi, was assassinated by a poison arrow at his coronation and his second oldest son, Olua , ruled with significant domestic dissent for seven years. After a short-lived rule of the kingdom by a collection of chieftains, Prince Okpame

1892-443: Was to give birth to and raise the crown prince that would eventually - all things being equal - succeed him as the Oba of Benin . Although this is no longer the case, she was also expected to have no children besides him. Furthermore, in emulation of Idia's example, she was expected to be a powerful sorceress - and to use her knowledge of the mystic arts to the future king's advantage at all times. Most of her ladies-in-waiting -

1936-408: Was traditionally expected to have a harem of their own. Once invested shortly after the coronation of her son, the Iyoba decamped to Uselu, where she spent the remainder of her days. Although forbidden to ever see the Oba again, she was nevertheless expected to serve as his chief advisor, so palace messengers were almost constantly moving from Benin to Uselu, and from Uselu to Benin. In times of war,

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