3.2 The achievements of individual Obas Flashcards
Who is considered the greatest oba of Benin?
Oba Ewuare
Known as Ewuare the Great, he ruled from c.1440 to c.1473.
What does the name Ewuare mean?
The trouble has ceased
How did Ewuare come to the throne?
He murdered his brother Uwaifaikon after returning from exile.
What magical item did Ogun possess?
Agbavboko
What significant change did Ewuare make to the name of the people?
Changed it to ‘Ubinu’
Which dynasties consolidated to the north of Benin during Ewuare’s reign?
Oyo and Nupe dynasties
What administrative structure did Ewuare create?
A patrimonial bureaucracy
What title did Ewuare create for his eldest son?
edaiken (crown prince)
What was one of Ewuare’s notable military achievements?
Captured 201 towns and villages
What luxury goods did Ewuare bring to Benin?
- Coral (ivie ebo)
- Red flannel cloth (ododo)
What was Ewuare’s connection to the Portuguese?
He was the first oba linked with wealth from coastal trade.
What art form did Ewuare promote in Benin?
Brass and bronze casting
What tragic event occurred involving Ewuare’s sons?
Both princes poisoned each other.
What harsh laws did Ewuare implement after his sons’ deaths?
Forbade dressing up, having sex, bathing, dance, and celebrations.
What was the purpose of tribal markings (iwu) introduced by Ewuare?
Identification and stratification by pedigree and occupation.
Who succeeded Ewuare?
Oba Ozolua
What was a notable action of Oba Ozolua regarding succession?
Reintroduced the process of the first son succeeding to the throne.
What title did Benin obas begin to add during Ozolua’s reign?
Nokhua or Akpolokpolo (Emperor)
What did Ozolua think of Portuguese Christianity?
He had no respect for white gods and deities.
What was the original name of Oba Esigie?
Prince Osawe
Who was Esigie’s mother?
Iyoba Idia
Fill in the blank: The title for Ewuare’s eldest son was _______.
edaiken
True or False: Ewuare was known for his peaceful reign.
False
What did Ewuare do to strengthen political structures in Benin?
Expanded road networks and established associations of palace chiefs.
What did Ewuare do to ensure an orderly succession?
Created the title edaiken for his eldest son.
What were the three groups in Ewuare’s State Council?
- Chiefs of the major towns (eghaevo n’ore)
- Palace chiefs (eghaevo n’ogbe)
- Uzama (hereditary chiefs)
How did Ewuare view his magical powers?
As a source of political strength and military success.
What was a major focus of Ewuare’s military strategy?
Toppling settlements and establishing allies.
What did Ewuare believe about his dynasty?
It was supernaturally gifted.
What did Ewuare’s harsh laws lead to among the Edo people?
Migration to other areas.
Who was originally named Prince Osawe?
Oba Esigie
What title did Osawe take upon succeeding his father?
Oba Esigie
Who was Idubor?
The Duke of Udo and Osawe’s half-brother
What caused the feud between Esigie and Idubor?
Their birth order and rivalry as sons of different wives of Ozolua
What significant event occurred during the third campaign against Idubor?
Idubor was defeated
What happened to Idubor after his defeat?
He committed suicide by drowning
What did Idubor leave behind before his suicide?
His ‘ivie necklace’, a symbol of authority
What happened to Esigie after he wore Idubor’s surrender necklace?
He became mentally disoriented
Who did Queen Idia bring to cure Esigie’s ailment?
A Yoruba Babalawo (mystic)
What title did Esigie create to honor his mother?
Iyoba (queen mother)
What was Esigie’s approach to foreign trade?
He invited Portuguese merchants and missionaries and regulated their commerce
What artistic achievement flourished under Esigie’s rule?
Brass casting
How did Esigie contrive his own death?
He feigned to be an intruder and was mistakenly killed by his guards
What was Oba Orhogbua’s choice upon returning from Europe?
To become oba instead of a Catholic priest
What significant military achievement did Orhogbua accomplish?
He conquered all coastal lands up to Lagos
Who was Ekenika?
A commander in Orhogbua’s maritime army and the first ezomo of Benin
What was the significance of Lagos Island during Orhogbua’s reign?
It served as a military defense point and trade monitoring post
What did Ehengbuda primarily focus on during his reign?
Land campaigns in the Yoruba areas
What happened to Ehengbuda during a campaign in Akure?
He sustained burns that left scars on his body
Who was Chief Ekpenede?
The iyase who led the Edo army during Ehengbuda’s reign
What was the outcome of the treaty concluded by Ekpenede?
It demarcated boundaries between Edo and Oyo powers
What was Agban’s notable military achievement?
He pacified western Ibo territories and triumphed in Ogidi
What unusual action did Chief Agban take against thunder?
He built a scaffold to smoke it out
What was the role of the Oba in the Kingdom of Benin?
Central figure with supernatural kingship and perceived power over life and death
How did noblemen behave in the presence of the Oba according to Wyndham?
They never looked him in the face and cowered
What did Olfert Dapper describe about the king’s court?
It was large, divided into magnificent palaces and cleanly maintained
What were the three classes of palace titles?
- Chamberlains (iwebo)
- Household officers (iwegune)
- Attendants of the king’s family (ibiwe)
How were titles accessed in the Edo hierarchy?
Based on merit, prowess, and achievement rather than heredity
What was the significance of the title of uko?
It allowed eligibility for any title within their group
What was the general assessment of Oba Ewuare’s achievements?
Considered greater than any other Oba who ruled Benin from c1500-c1750
