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48-458: Prince Okpame 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

96-411: A blemished divine king would have been rejected and killed or exiled. He ordered his attendants to carry him to the council chamber before the arrival of the chiefs, and to take him away after their departure. He also sought various cures for his condition, such as using crocodile heads as a symbol of protection, and founding a major Olokun shrine at Urhonigbe , where he hoped to receive healing from

144-497: 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

192-505: A collection of chieftains, Prince Okpame 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

240-442: A commoner. He also made her promises, depending on their marriage. Oba Ohen's secret visits aroused the suspicion of his courtiers and chiefs, who wanted to expose his affair and his breach of the treaty. They discovered his route and planted a malicious medicine under the bridge that he crossed to reach Ute. The medicine was called ẹrọ , and it caused paralysis to anyone who stepped over it. Oba Ohen unknowingly stepped over

288-512: 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

336-472: 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

384-547: 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

432-537: 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

480-703: The Ekiti and Akure kingdoms and built the first moat around Benin City. He succeeded his elder brother Oba Udagbedo , who had died without a male heir. He extended the Benin Empire to the west, reaching as far as Dahomey (present-day Benin Republic ), and to the east, reaching as far as the Niger Delta . He also consolidated his authority over the Yoruba kingdoms of Owo , Ondo , and Ijebu . Oba Ohen

528-586: 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

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576-622: 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

624-569: 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

672-540: 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

720-403: 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

768-413: 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

816-616: 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

864-499: The death of their leader. They plotted to kill Oba Ohen by digging a deep hole under his throne, and covering it with a thin layer of cloth. When Oba Ohen sat on his throne, he fell into the hole, and the chiefs and the people stoned him to death with knobs of chalk, saying "Ohen mi orhue" , 'Ohen, have chalk', which was an insult to his divine status. Oba Ohen died after a reign of about 36 years, leaving four sons: Egbeka , Orobiru , Ogun , and Uwaifiokun . Oba Ohen

912-400: 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

960-420: 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

1008-452: 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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1056-746: The exchange of knowledge and commerce with them. Oba Ohen had a secret affair with a woman named Elere, who lived in Ute village, across the Ikpoba River . Elere was a descendant of the Ogiamiẹn family, the original rulers of Benin City, who had been displaced by the Eweka dynasty. The marriage between the Oba and the Ogiamiẹn family was forbidden by the treaty that had ended the conflict between them. Oba Ohen, however, loved Elere and wanted to marry her. He sent her gifts and visited her at night, disguised as

1104-470: 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

1152-637: 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

1200-454: 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,

1248-465: 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

1296-415: 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

1344-424: The medicine and was affected by it. However, the effects of the medicine were delayed and could be neutralised by crossing it again. The chiefs also used another medicine called aban , which made Oba Ohen oversleep at Elere's house and be discovered by her father, who was a powerful native doctor. Oba Ohen was in a dilemma, as he could not return to his palace without revealing his identity and his violation of

1392-453: The palace, where they changed their clothes and masks with some substitutes. Oba Ohen then emerged to watch the performance, while Elere passed into the harem. Elere later bore a son named Ogun, who would become Oba Ewuare , a notable king of Benin. After some time, the medicine that had been planted under the bridge took effect, and Oba Ohen became paralysed in his legs. He tried to conceal his infirmity from his chiefs and subjects, as

1440-508: 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

1488-454: 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

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1536-546: 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

1584-410: 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

1632-536: 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

1680-540: The town of Edo ( Benin City ). His first remaining son, Ezoti, died from assassination and his second son, Olua , ruled for a short period and was replaced when the uzama revolted. His third son, Ozolua became Oba around 1483 and ruled until 1514. The royal lineage from Ewuare would continue for multiple generations. Ohen Ohen was the eighth Oba (monarch) of the Benin Kingdom , who ruled from c.  1334 AD  – c.  1370 AD . He

1728-514: The treaty. He devised a plan to disguise himself and Elere as masqueraders, and to dance to the palace with the help of some loyal pages. He used the materials from Elere's house to improvise the costumes and masks, and joined the Ekoko n'Ute masquerade, which was a traditional dance of the Ute people. He asked to perform for the Oba, hoping to deceive his enemies and to enter the palace unnoticed. The plan succeeded, and Oba Ohen and Elere entered

1776-441: 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

1824-520: 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

1872-412: The water deity. Oba Ohen's paralysis was eventually discovered by his Iyasẹ (prime minister), Emuze, who was curious about the Oba's unusual behaviour. He hid behind a door in the council chamber and saw the Oba being carried by his attendants. Oba Ohen was furious when he found out, and ordered Emuze to be killed on the spot. This angered the other chiefs and the people, who rose to arms to avenge

1920-418: 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

1968-399: 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

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2016-593: Was also the first Oba to establish diplomatic relations with the European powers, especially the Portuguese and the English. He sent ambassadors to Lisbon and London, and received envoys and traders from both countries. He also received gifts and curiosities from the Europeans, such as a telescope, which he used to observe the stars and the moon. He was interested in the European culture and technology, and encouraged

2064-516: Was commemorated by the fish-legged Olokun-like figures that are common in Benin art, symbolising his paralysis and his connection to the water deity. His secret affair and his paralysis were also related to some symbols and rituals in Benin culture, such as the crocodile heads, the Ekoko n'Ute masquerade, and the annual gesture of asking "Where is the Iyasẹ?" by the chiefs. His death by stoning with chalk

2112-452: 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

2160-401: 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

2208-404: 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

2256-430: Was the father of Oba Ewuare , who became a notable king of Benin. Oba Ewuare was the son of Elere, Oba Ohen's secret lover from the Ogiamiẹn family. He had to overcome many obstacles and challenges before he could claim his throne, as his elder brothers and his enemies tried to prevent him from ruling. He eventually defeated his rivals and became Oba, initiating a period of prosperity and culture in Benin. Oba Ohen

2304-467: 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. Oba Ohen was the third son of Oba Oguola , who had conquered

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