3.2 The achievements of individual Obas

Question 1

Who is considered the greatest oba of Benin?

Answer 1

Oba Ewuare

Known as Ewuare the Great, he ruled from c.1440 to c.1473.

Question 2

What does the name Ewuare mean?

Answer 2

The trouble has ceased

Question 3

How did Ewuare come to the throne?

Answer 3

He murdered his brother Uwaifaikon after returning from exile.

Question 4

What magical item did Ogun possess?

Answer 4

Agbavboko

Question 5

What significant change did Ewuare make to the name of the people?

Answer 5

Changed it to ‘Ubinu’

Question 6

Which dynasties consolidated to the north of Benin during Ewuare’s reign?

Answer 6

Oyo and Nupe dynasties

Question 7

What administrative structure did Ewuare create?

Answer 7

A patrimonial bureaucracy

Question 8

What title did Ewuare create for his eldest son?

Answer 8

edaiken (crown prince)

Question 9

What was one of Ewuare’s notable military achievements?

Answer 9

Captured 201 towns and villages

Question 10

What luxury goods did Ewuare bring to Benin?

Answer 10

• Coral (ivie ebo)
• Red flannel cloth (ododo)

Question 11

What was Ewuare’s connection to the Portuguese?

Answer 11

He was the first oba linked with wealth from coastal trade.

Question 12

What art form did Ewuare promote in Benin?

Answer 12

Brass and bronze casting

Question 13

What tragic event occurred involving Ewuare’s sons?

Answer 13

Both princes poisoned each other.

Question 14

What harsh laws did Ewuare implement after his sons’ deaths?

Answer 14

Forbade dressing up, having sex, bathing, dance, and celebrations.

Question 15

What was the purpose of tribal markings (iwu) introduced by Ewuare?

Answer 15

Identification and stratification by pedigree and occupation.

Question 16

Who succeeded Ewuare?

Answer 16

Oba Ozolua

Question 17

What was a notable action of Oba Ozolua regarding succession?

Answer 17

Reintroduced the process of the first son succeeding to the throne.

Question 18

What title did Benin obas begin to add during Ozolua’s reign?

Answer 18

Nokhua or Akpolokpolo (Emperor)

Question 19

What did Ozolua think of Portuguese Christianity?

Answer 19

He had no respect for white gods and deities.

Question 20

What was the original name of Oba Esigie?

Answer 20

Prince Osawe

Question 21

Who was Esigie’s mother?

Answer 21

Iyoba Idia

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The title for Ewuare’s eldest son was _______.

Answer 22

edaiken

Question 23

True or False: Ewuare was known for his peaceful reign.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

What did Ewuare do to strengthen political structures in Benin?

Answer 24

Expanded road networks and established associations of palace chiefs.

Question 25

What did Ewuare do to ensure an orderly succession?

Answer 25

Created the title edaiken for his eldest son.

Question 26

What were the three groups in Ewuare's State Council?

Answer 26

* Chiefs of the major towns (eghaevo n’ore) * Palace chiefs (eghaevo n’ogbe) * Uzama (hereditary chiefs)

Question 27

How did Ewuare view his magical powers?

Answer 27

As a source of political strength and military success.

Question 28

What was a major focus of Ewuare's military strategy?

Answer 28

Toppling settlements and establishing allies.

Question 29

What did Ewuare believe about his dynasty?

Answer 29

It was supernaturally gifted.

Question 30

What did Ewuare's harsh laws lead to among the Edo people?

Answer 30

Migration to other areas.

Question 31

Who was originally named Prince Osawe?

Answer 31

Oba Esigie

Question 32

What title did Osawe take upon succeeding his father?

Answer 32

Oba Esigie

Question 33

Who was Idubor?

Answer 33

The Duke of Udo and Osawe's half-brother

Question 34

What caused the feud between Esigie and Idubor?

Answer 34

Their birth order and rivalry as sons of different wives of Ozolua

Question 35

What significant event occurred during the third campaign against Idubor?

Answer 35

Idubor was defeated

Question 36

What happened to Idubor after his defeat?

Answer 36

He committed suicide by drowning

Question 37

What did Idubor leave behind before his suicide?

Answer 37

His 'ivie necklace', a symbol of authority

Question 38

What happened to Esigie after he wore Idubor's surrender necklace?

Answer 38

He became mentally disoriented

Question 39

Who did Queen Idia bring to cure Esigie's ailment?

Answer 39

A Yoruba Babalawo (mystic)

Question 40

What title did Esigie create to honor his mother?

Answer 40

Iyoba (queen mother)

Question 41

What was Esigie's approach to foreign trade?

Answer 41

He invited Portuguese merchants and missionaries and regulated their commerce

Question 42

What artistic achievement flourished under Esigie's rule?

Answer 42

Brass casting

Question 43

How did Esigie contrive his own death?

Answer 43

He feigned to be an intruder and was mistakenly killed by his guards

Question 44

What was Oba Orhogbua's choice upon returning from Europe?

Answer 44

To become oba instead of a Catholic priest

Question 45

What significant military achievement did Orhogbua accomplish?

Answer 45

He conquered all coastal lands up to Lagos

Question 46

Who was Ekenika?

Answer 46

A commander in Orhogbua’s maritime army and the first ezomo of Benin

Question 47

What was the significance of Lagos Island during Orhogbua's reign?

Answer 47

It served as a military defense point and trade monitoring post

Question 48

What did Ehengbuda primarily focus on during his reign?

Answer 48

Land campaigns in the Yoruba areas

Question 49

What happened to Ehengbuda during a campaign in Akure?

Answer 49

He sustained burns that left scars on his body

Question 50

Who was Chief Ekpenede?

Answer 50

The iyase who led the Edo army during Ehengbuda's reign

Question 51

What was the outcome of the treaty concluded by Ekpenede?

Answer 51

It demarcated boundaries between Edo and Oyo powers

Question 52

What was Agban's notable military achievement?

Answer 52

He pacified western Ibo territories and triumphed in Ogidi

Question 53

What unusual action did Chief Agban take against thunder?

Answer 53

He built a scaffold to smoke it out

Question 54

What was the role of the Oba in the Kingdom of Benin?

Answer 54

Central figure with supernatural kingship and perceived power over life and death

Question 55

How did noblemen behave in the presence of the Oba according to Wyndham?

Answer 55

They never looked him in the face and cowered

Question 56

What did Olfert Dapper describe about the king's court?

Answer 56

It was large, divided into magnificent palaces and cleanly maintained

Question 57

What were the three classes of palace titles?

Answer 57

* Chamberlains (iwebo) * Household officers (iwegune) * Attendants of the king’s family (ibiwe)

Question 58

How were titles accessed in the Edo hierarchy?

Answer 58

Based on merit, prowess, and achievement rather than heredity

Question 59

What was the significance of the title of uko?

Answer 59

It allowed eligibility for any title within their group

Question 60

What was the general assessment of Oba Ewuare's achievements?

Answer 60

Considered greater than any other Oba who ruled Benin from c1500-c1750