The history of the Benin Empire will not be complete without the mention of Oba Ewuare the Great. But why was he so great? In this article, we will look at who Ewuare the Great was and why he became so pivotal in the history of the Kingdom of Benin.
Oba Ewuare the Great became the king of the Benin Empire in 1440 after a violent coup against his brother, Uwaifiokun, during whose reign Benin suffered great loss and destruction. He rose to become one of the greatest kings in the Benin kingdom and also in Africa at large. His reign ended in 1473.
Who was Ewuare Before He Became the Great King of Benin?
Oba Ewuare, one of the greatest African kings that ever lived was given the name Ogun at birth. He was the third son of Oba Ohen who was stoned to death after he became paralyzed in both legs. This was because the loss of use of his legs meant he has lost his powers too.
Other sources report that Oba Ohen killed his prime minister, called the Iyase. This murder led to a rebellion by the people of Benin and it led to his stoning to death.
Upon Oba Ohen’s death, his first son Prince Egbeka became king, albeit briefly. Although there is no exact reason as to why his reign ended abruptly, it is important to point out that his reign was plagued by a constant battle between the Uneme tribal houses and the Benin Kingdom.
After King Egbeka’s reign, his brother Orobiru, became the King of Benin. Ogun was then forcefully exiled alongside his brother, Prince Uwaifiokun after a controversy arose.
How Did Ewuare Become King of the Benin Kingdom?
While in exile, Ogun sent his younger brother Uwaifaikun to go back to Benin and see if it was safe for them to return. He wanted to know the feelings of the Benin people towards him but Uwaifaikun got to Benin, found the throne vacant, and ascended it without returning to inform his brother. He claimed that he hadn’t seen his brother in a long while.
Legend has it that Ogun who would later be called Ewuare, consulted the Iha divination, with the help of Azuwa, his relative who lived on the eastern outskirts of Benin. The Iha told him to go back to Benin to ascend the throne. He also was told that he would meet a pregnant woman, a hunter, and an old woman. Each of these people would influence his ascension to the throne of Benin.
Ogun was given a magical bag called the Agbavboko by a jungle spirit. The bag had the ability to hold a lot of items in it without getting full. It also had the ability to produce different items that were not even kept in the bag.
While in the forest where he hid, Ogun dreamt about an encounter with Ase, the spirit that could grant anything. After helping Ase get rid of the worms ravaging it, the spirit gave Ogun an object which could help him do anything. Although this meeting happened in a dream, the exiled prince woke up to meet the object laying close to him. To try its potency, he ordered it to dry up a tree, and it did.
Ogun then went to another village called Ekae, where he lived for a while. However, there were reports of sightings of him around the area, which made his brother send troops after him. Ogun was said to have put a leaf in his mouth and asked Ase to make him invisible, which it did or according to other sources, made him look like a shrub. He called the leaf Ebe Ewere.
On his arrival to Benin, Ogun was almost caught by the Royal army, but he hid. At that point, he could have used the charm given to him by Ase to destroy them, but he didn’t because they were his people, and he knew they would soon become his subjects.
Later that night, he snuck into the home of a chief called Ogieva hoping to stay there until he was able to take over the leadership of the kingdom. The chief hid Ogun in a dry well but went to snitch on him by telling the royal army where he was. Edo the head slave heard of the conspiracy and saved Ogun. He let down a ladder into the well and asked Ogun to run away. When the royal army got there, Ogun had already escaped and out of anger, they killed Edo on the spot.
Ogun then found his way to the hut of an old woman who lived close to the village market. He stayed with the woman who was described as a poor and childless powerful mystic. On his first night in the woman’s hut, the market and its environs were raided. There was the fear that the market was a hideout for the estranged prince. This time around, Ogun turned invisible with the help of the charm he got from Ase. After the search party left, he snuck and went to the palace where he killed his brother Uwaifiokun.
After this, and with the help of his supporters Ogun ascended the throne of Benin.
Upon becoming King, Ogun adopted the name Ewuare, which meant “the trouble has seized” or “Peace has been restored”. Subsequently, the suffix “Ogidigan” which translates to “the great” was added to it and that was how he got the name “Ewuare the Great”.
What was His Reign as the King of Benin like?
Ewuare the Great, one of the greatest African kings, was famous for his reforms in the kingdom of Benin. He transformed the kingdom politically, socially, religiously, and economically. During his reign, the kingdom of Benin experienced prosperity.
As a tribute to the slave, Edo, who lost his life trying to save him, Ewuare changed the kingdom’s name from Ibinu to Edo Land to immortalize his savior.
He rebuilt the city which he razed with fire and reformed the political structure of the kingdom. He made the Oba more powerful than the Uzama who were a group of hereditary chiefs and initially more powerful. They had the power to limit any effort made by the Oba.
In addition to limiting the powers of the Uzamas, Ewuare the Great also adopted the firstborn succession system. He also created offices of the town chiefs and the palace chiefs, who were directly accountable to him.
Historically, during his reign as king of the Benin kingdom, Ewuare won 201 battles and expanded his kingdom to different towns and cities. After he defeated a town or city, he replaced the chiefs with his allies. The Benin Empire was redesigned and rebuilt with great architectural mastery, which has been proven by archeological findings in the area.
Additionally, Ewuare the Great met with Portuguese explorer, Ruy de Sequeira who arrived in Benin in 1472. Although it is unclear under what terms they met, it was noted that their meeting marked the beginning of limited trade between the two empires starting in the 1480s.
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Ewuare the Great developed the Arts and Culture Sector of the Benin Kingdom
During his reign, Ewuare the Great expanded the arts sector of his kingdom, especially ivory and wood carving. He also created bronze heads for shrines in honor of deceased kings. Little wonder as to why he is known as the “Patron of the arts”.
Notably, he was the one who introduced coral beads to the Benin culture. These coral beads have remained a significant part of the Benin culture and tradition to this day. He was also said to have invented the Eziken, a wind instrument, and also started the Benin royal band, Ema-ode
Subsequently, Ewuare the Great is credited with the introduction of the Igue Festival. It was said that the festival was initially celebrated to renew his magical powers. However, other sources say it was to celebrate his marriage to Ewere, one of his wives. Similarly, he started the Ugie Erha Oba Festival, a festival in honor of Obas.
Ewuare the Great died in 1473 and was buried in Esi, a town close to Edo. He was succeeded by his son Ezoti, who was assassinated shortly after his ascension. Ezoti was succeeded by Olua, who was replaced after the Uzama revolted. Ewuare the Great’s third son Ozolua became Oba in 1483 and ruled the kingdom till 1514. The lineage of Ewuare the Great continued the rulership of the Benin kingdom to this very day. The current king of the Benin kingdom is Ewuare II.
