The Kingdom of Benin, a dominant force in West African history, was first ruled by the Ogisos before power shifted to the mighty Oba dynasty. This transition reshaped the kingdom’s political and cultural landscape, fueling its expansion, wealth, and influence. Explore how the Obas led Benin into a golden age of trade, artistry, and divine rule.
The commemorative brass head, known as uhunmwun elao, represents the Oba (king) of Benin and is part of the kingdom’s tradition of honoring royal ancestors. It symbolizes the divine authority and legacy of the ruler, adorned with intricate coral regalia that reflects the power and spiritual connection of the Oba to gods like Olokun. – British Museum
Deep in the rainforests of West Africa, where trees shared secrets through the wind, and rivers carved paths of life, the Kingdom of Benin was born. A place of warriors, masterful artisans, and a ruler believed to be chosen by the gods.
But before the Obas sat on the throne, the kingdom was ruled by the Ogisos the “rulers of the sky.” Their reign shaped the land, paving the way for what would become one of Africa’s greatest empires. To understand Benin’s rise, we must go back to the earliest days of the Edo people, back when they were scattered villages in the wilderness, unsure of what the future held.
Who Were the Ogisos of Benin?
Long before the royal courts and bronze treasures, the Edo people led simple yet prosperous lives. Between 800 and 1000 AD, they settled in fertile lands filled with palm trees, rivers, and abundant wildlife. They farmed, hunted, and traded daily, strengthening their communities. They built tall mud walls around their villages to protect themselves from raiders and wild animals.
Trade flourished as caravans delivered salt, bitter kola nuts, and copper from distant lands. Blacksmiths crafted iron tools with precision, while women wove fine cotton cloths, driving a thriving local economy. Families formed the foundation of society, with elders passing down wisdom to guide their people.
As villages expanded, so did the demand for a strong leader. Someone to bring order and lead them to greatness. Thus, the Ogiso Dynasty emerged, a line of rulers believed to be chosen by the heavens.
The Ogiso Dynasty: The First Kings of Benin
The first Ogiso Igodo ruled with remarkable vision. He united the scattered Edo villages under one rule and brought order and law to his people. During his reign, Benin City, which was then called Igodomigodo, began to grow. Traders and craftsmen filled its streets and turned it into a busy center of commerce and culture.
The people believed the Ogisos were chosen by the gods. They ruled not just as kings but as guardians of agriculture, trade, and justice. They kept peace within their walls and brought prosperity beyond them. Among them, Ogiso Ere stood out for shaping the kingdom’s traditions. He introduced new customs such as grand festivals and the royal throne, which strengthened the cultural identity of Benin. But no dynasty survives without struggle.
Over time, powerful chiefs resisted the Ogisos and tried to gain more control over the kingdom.
The Fall of the Ogiso Dynasty
The last Ogiso Owodo ruled during a time of conflict and misfortune. He struggled with a deep personal burden because he could not produce a male heir. His senior wife, driven by jealousy, tricked him into banishing his only son. As unrest spread through the kingdom, Owodo’s rule became weaker.
In a tragic decision, he ordered the execution of a pregnant woman accused of a minor crime. His people saw this as an unforgivable insult to the gods and turned against him. They overthrew him and sent him into exile in a distant village, where he died in obscurity.
For the first time in generations, Benin had no ruler. Fearing further chaos, the chiefs sought help from beyond their borders. They turned to the sacred city of Ife.
The Call to Ife and the Test of the Seven Lice: How Benin Found Its New Ruler
Ife, the spiritual heartland of the Yoruba people, stood as the cradle of kingship. People far and wide believed that the gods themselves chose its rulers. When the Edo chiefs sought a worthy leader, they traveled to the court of the Oni of Ife and pleaded for a king.
But the Oni, known for his great wisdom, did not grant their request immediately. Instead, he set a peculiar test. He handed them seven tiny lice and said,
“Return in three years with these lice alive and thriving, and you shall have your king.”
The chiefs, though confused, accepted the challenge. They carefully placed the lice in the hair of their slaves, ensuring they were well-fed and survived. After three years, they returned to Ife with the lice not only alive but plump and thriving. Impressed by their dedication, the Oni sent his son, Prince Oranmiyan, to rule the land of the Edo.
How Prince Oranmiyan Founded the Oba Dynasty in Benin
Brass plaques that once adorned the Oba’s palace, often called “Benin Bronzes, date back to the 16th-17th centuries- The British Museum
Prince Oranmiyan arrived with high hopes, but he quickly realized the deep cultural differences between Ife and Benin. He struggled to understand the Edo language and customs, while the chiefs remained doubtful of his leadership.
To gain their trust, he modeled the Bini kingdom after Ife’s system. Instead of relying solely on Ife princes, he appointed hereditary chiefs, known as Onogie, to govern different regions on his behalf. However, the Edo people still longed for self-rule. Frustrated by their resistance, he declared,
“Only a child born of this land can rule its people.”
Determined to leave a lasting legacy, he had a son with the daughter of an Edo chief and then returned to Ife. That child, later known in myths as Erinmwinde, became the first true Oba of Benin. When the time came, he took the throne as Oba Eweka I, establishing the Eweka dynasty.
The Coronation of Eweka I: How the First Oba of Benin Took the Throne
Eweka did not simply take the throne; he underwent a sacred transformation that tied him to the gods and ancestors. His coronation was a grand ceremony filled with symbolism and rituals that affirmed his divine right to rule.
According to popular belief, the youngest son of Osanobua, the supreme deity, founded the Kingdom of Benin. Osanobua sent his children, including the first kings of Ife, other Yoruba kingdoms, and even the Europeans, to live in the visible world known as Agbon.
Before leaving the invisible realm, each child had the chance to take something valuable. While some chose wealth, magical powers, or tools, the future king of Benin, Erimwin, followed the guidance of a bird and selected a simple snail shell. When they arrived in a world covered by water, the bird advised him to overturn the shell. As he did, sand poured out, spreading and forming land beneath them.
With this act, he became the owner of the land. His brothers, in need of land for themselves, traded their possessions for it. This exchange made the Oba of Benin the wealthiest and most powerful ruler in the world.
Eweka I’s Sacred Coronation: The Birth of the Oba Dynasty in Benin
1. The Symbolic Purchase of Land
Eweka I officially claimed his rule by symbolically purchasing land from the chiefs. He offered coral beads and gifts in exchange for sacred items such as land and kola nuts. This act confirmed that his authority came from both the gods and the people, securing his place as the first Oba of Benin.
2. Leopard and Human Sacrifices
To cleanse the kingdom of past misfortunes and seek divine favor, Eweka I oversaw the sacrifice of a leopard, a symbol of strength and kingship. Its blood was offered in sacred rites to reinforce his divine connection. Human sacrifices also honored the spirits, ensuring protection and prosperity for his reign.
3. The Sacred Coral Bead Crown
The coronation reached its peak when the chiefs placed the sacred coral bead crown on Eweka’s head. The brilliant red coral, believed to hold spiritual power, symbolized his connection to the heavens and the ancestors who ruled before him. They adorned him with coral necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, transforming him into the living embodiment of divine power.
From Chiefs to Obas: Benin’s Shift to a Centralized Monarchy
With Eweka’s coronation, power in Benin shifted dramatically. The chiefs, who once ruled alongside the Ogisos, swore absolute loyalty to the Oba, transforming Benin into a powerful centralized monarchy.
Under Eweka’s rule, the kingdom thrived. He established new governance structures, strengthened the economy, and refined cultural traditions. He introduced festivals like the Igue Festival to honor the Oba and reinforce the kingdom’s spiritual foundation.
The Uzama N’Ihinron, the council of elders, continued to hold influence but now served directly under the Oba. They helped him manage state affairs, oversee trade, and handle diplomatic relations.
Conclusion
Eweka I’s rise to power marked a new chapter in Benin’s history. It was a time of unity, divine authority, and cultural growth. With the fall of the Ogisos and the beginning of the Oba dynasty, Benin became a strong kingdom ready to expand its influence across West Africa.
In the next stage of this journey, the Obas built an empire through military conquests, artistic achievements, and a thriving trade network, leading Benin into its golden age.
Eweka’s rule ended the tradition of shared authority. The Obas now ruled as absolute monarchs, honored as gods on earth.
Bibliography
- Heather, M. 1997. The kingdom of Benin in West Africa, BenchMark Books.
- Chukwuma, A. Pn.D. 1996. The Bini People of the Benin Kingdom, The Rosen Publishing Group, NY.
- Ezra, K. 1992. Royal art of Benin : The Perls collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art : Distributed by H.N. Abrams.
- The British Museum: www.britishmuseum.org
- John. P.E. 1996, The Benin People of West Africa, The Rosen Publishing Group, New York.