African Kingdoms

Benin Empire / Edo Empire (Great Benin) (Africa)
c.AD 1200 - 1897
Incorporating Hereditary Rulers (1914-1960)

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The pre-history of Africa contains a far longer period of human habitation than any other area on Earth, thanks to it being the cradle of humankind's evolution. Much of this pre-history involves a great deal of uncertainty in which small windows of opportunity to view events can be gained through archaeology. Even more recent prehistory is shrouded in uncertainty, requiring analysis and archaeology to help define it.

The Benin empire is one of those southern states which now form part of Nigeria and which claim to have obtained their kingship from the Yoruba city of Ife. Archaeological research at Benin, however, has shown that important developments preceded the empire's foundation around the start of the fifteenth century AD. A large population occupied the area around Benin City prior to the emergence of a centralised state.

Sometimes referred to in modern sources as a kingdom for the entirety of its existence, and sometimes as 'Great Benin' from as early as the late sixteenth century (by European visitors), the empire was located largely in what is now south-western Nigeria, to the east of Yorubaland and to the west of the River Niger, but also with areas which now lie in eastern Benin (although the modern state bears no direct relation to the former empire).

The region was populated by speakers of a group of closely related languages called Edo, which also gives the empire another naming alternative. The Edoid languages amount to few tens of languages which are spoken in southern Nigeria, southern Benin, Togo, and eastern Ghana. That coverage is almost entirely due to expansion under the Benin empire by the originally-localised people of the state of Igodomigodo, Benin's immediate predecessor.

The empire's origins go back to around AD 900 when Igodomigodo was founded as a small city state. That state was expanded but underwent a period of turmoil in the twelfth century. It selected a king of Oyo to be its ruler from about 1200, and it may have been this king, Eweka, who was responsible for founding Ibinu (Benin City). That foundation is generally placed at about AD 1170 or 1180, but it is also tied in with Eweka's slightly later accession.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information from the John De Cleene Archive, from History of West Africa, J F Ade Ajayi & Michael Crowder (Longman, 1985), from Encyclopaedia Britannica (Eleventh Edition, Cambridge (England), 1910), from African States and Rulers, John Stewart (McFarland, 2005), from The New Atlas of African History, G S P Freeman-Grenville (Rex Collins, London, 1991), from Times Atlas of World History (Maplewood, 1979), from Troubled Treasures, Andrew Curry (National Geographic Society, National Geographic, March 2023), from The Art of Benin Revised Edition, Paula Girshick Ben-Amos (British Museum Press, 1995), and from External Links: Encyclopaedia Britannica, and History of the Newly Elected / Appointed Oba of Benin (Daily Mail, dead link), and Genealogical Gleanings (dead link), and MFA receives rare West African art pieces, Geoff Edgers (Boston Globe, 29 June 2012, accessed 14 March 2023).)

1200 - 1235

Ruler of Oyo. First oba of Benin. Grandson of previous Osigo.

c.1200

The city of Ibinu (later called Benin City) is founded by Eweka, ruler of Oyo. Perhaps this takes place shortly before he gains the kingship of the powerful state of Igodomigodo, although the available information in this regard is sometimes contradictory and poorly explained.

The plaque shown here originates on the Guinea Coast area of modern Nigeria, formerly part of the Edo empire and dated to the seventeenth or mid-sixteenth century

Now as first oba of Benin, Eweka begins the expansion of the Igodomigodo kingdom to create the basis of the Edo empire and what is sometimes referred to as the Eweka dynasty of oba. The Ben-Amos list of rulers has Eweka I at 1200-1235, instead of the circa 1180 which is also given as the approximate foundation date for Benin City.

1235 - 1243

Son. Second oba of Benin (but first to bear that title).

1235

Uwakhuahen accedes as ruler through a deception which involves his elder brother, Idu, the rightful successor. Upon learning of the deception, Idu lodges a protest and threatens war on Benin with the support of his maternal relatives and a majority of the elders in Iyekorhionmwon.

Benin's elders are alarmed by the threats, so they partition the state. Idu gains the entire south-eastern region, in which he establishes the state of Ugu and becomes its first ruling oba.

The ruling obas of the edo empire even today hold prestigious positions in Nigeria as government advisors, with this bas-relief of an oba in ceremonial dress and weapons having decorated the royal palace

1243 - 1255

Brother. Third oba of Benin.

1255 - 1280

Son. Fourth oba of Benin.

1280 - 1295

Son. Fifth oba of Benin.

1280

Following Ewedo's consolidation of the kingdom and the beginnings of territorial expansion, Oguola adds to the fortifications around Benin City by creating the first and second moats, while also overseeing a revival of the art of brass casting.

c.1285

Oguola's daughter, Uvbi, is betrothed to the neighbouring ruler, Akpanigiakon of Udo. The princess exhibits strong reservations about the marriage, and even turns back while travelling to Udo for the wedding.

Akpanigiakon is affronted, posing a threat to Benin's security. The subsequent Battle of Urhezen is a fiercely contested engagement which takes place in the vicinity of Urhezen and involves a series of intense skirmishes and strategic manoeuvres. Oguola's victory marks the end of the threat from Udo.

The brass head of an Oba, dated to the sixteenth century, a commemorative cast-brass sculpture which depicts the idealised likeness of an oba wearing a woven cap of coral beads, with lateral strands of coral suspended around both ears

1295 - 1299

Son. Sixth oba of Benin.

1299 - 1334

Brother. Seventh oba of Benin.

c.1300

Udagbedo's reign sees considerable territorial expansion beyond the state's original core. Due to this, around 1300 there is a notable migration of the Ga people from Benin to Accra, today's Ghana. They vie with migrating Akan people who are entering areas of Old Ghana and today's northern Ghana (which sits on the southern flank of Old Ghana's territory).

1334 - 1370

Brother. Eighth oba of Benin. Killed by his sub-chiefs.

1334

Ohen during his reign further pushes out the borders of Benin. To the west he reaches the edges of what later will be Dahomey (within today's Benin republic), and eastwards to the Niger delta. His controls are also strengthened over the Yoruba states of Ijebu, Ondo, Owo. His death is a revenge attack after he had killed his prime minister, a prominent chief in his own right.

Dahomey tribespeople were photographed for Hubert Howe Bancroft's The Book of the Fair, published in Chicago in 1893, by which time Dahomey was the subject of extreme interest by the French, and its former status as a regional power was eroded

1370 - 1400

Son. Ninth oba of Benin. Generated several rebellions.

1400 - 1430

Brother. Tenth oba of Benin.

1430 - 1440

Brother. 11th oba of Benin. Overthrown in a coup.

1440

The unpopular Uwaifiokun is overthrown in a violent coup which in part involves his brother, Ogun. The coup destroys much of Benin City, which needs to be rebuilt afterwards, once Ogun gains the throne as Ewuare.

1440 - 1473

Brother. 12th oba of Benin/Edo.

1440 - c.1470

Under Oba Ewuare, the kingdom becomes known as Benin (from 1470). It is expanded into an empire through conquests which range from Idah to the north, and from Owo and Akure to Igboland, west of the Niger. The various oba give Benin a strong central government which weakens opposing political factions, very shortly before the arrival of the first Portuguese traders.

The Christian conquest of Iberia was a drawn-out process which covered several centuries of combat and slow advance, but in its later days it frequently spilled over into North African kingdoms which were supporting the 'Moors' in southern Iberia

1473

Son. Reigned for 14 days (as 13th oba). Assassinated.

1473 - 1483

Brother. Overthrown by an uzama revolt.

1483 - 1504

Brother. 15th oba of Edo. Possibly assassinated?

1504 - 1550

Son. Spread Christianity throughout the kingdom.

c.1553

According to some English visitors, the oba can field twenty thousand warriors in one day, and up to a hundred thousand men if necessary. Oba Esigie, in an effort to spread Christianity throughout his realm sends Ohen Okun, the olokun priest at Ughoton, as an ambassador to the king of P ortugal to ask him to send priests to Benin to teach him and his people about the Christian faith.

He also allows churches to be built in the city at Ogbelaka, Idumwerie, and Akpakpava. The oba and the king of Portugal exchanged valuable gifts and a Portuguese ambassador is accredited to Benin.

Akan people - photographed here around the beginning of the twentieth century - migrated into regions of modern Ghana from around the eleventh century AD, but probably in smaller family groups rather than as a single mass movement of people

1500s - 1600s

Having recently expanded its borders eastwards in the early sixteenth century, the empire becomes rich by selling slaves from enemy states to the burgeoning slave trade with Europe, where they are carried to the Spanish Americas in Dutch and Portuguese ships.

The Bight of Benin's shore soon comes to be known as the 'Slave Coast'. But the kingdom also begins to decline as its rulers no longer fulfil the role of warrior kings, instead relying on an increasing administration to run the empire.

1550 - 1578

Son. A baptised Roman Catholic.

1550

As oba, Orhogbua faces several challenges, not least of which is the task of enforcing tribute payments from outlying territories. Several sub-kingdoms challenge his authority, notably Allada, Oyo (which still exists as an identifiable state despite supplying the first oba, Eweka, around AD 1200), and Warri.

This modern illustration attempts to show the state of Igodomigodo in its expanded form as the Edo or Benin empire, with a strong military, a proud and powerful king, and plenty of riches on show

1578 - 1606

Son. Increased controls over sub-kings, including Oyo.

1606 - 1641

Son. Died without heir, triggering internal crisis.

1621

English traders create the 'English Gold Coast' colony, under the administration of the 'Company of Merchants Trading to Guinea' (known as the 'Company of London Merchants' from 1651), with Kormantin as its chief post.

1641 - 1661

20th oba of Edo.

by c.1650

A group of Aja from the coastal kingdom of Allada had previously moved northwards to settle amongst the Fon people of the interior, and by this date they have gained dominance and declare a kingdom of Dahomey which lies on the eastern edges of the Benin empire.

Dahomey grew in power throughout the 1700s, becoming a major force in the region after it succeeded the older Allada state

1661 - 1669

The first of six oba from disparate family branches.

1669 - 1675

One of a series of six rotating oba.

1675 - 1684

One of a series of six rotating oba.

1684 - 1689

One of a series of six rotating oba.

1689 - 1700

25th oba of Edo. One of a series of six rotating oba.

1700 - 1712

Distant relation. Engaged in civil war to retain authority.

c.1700 - 1710

Civil war breaks out around the time at which Oba Ewuakpe becomes ruler. Iyase Ode and several lower-ranked members of the royal administration revolt against attempts by their superiors to control them. The oba brings in troops from another city but is unable to defeat the rebels, with the result that Benin City is sacked. The war is only ended after about a decade of conflict.

From the early trading posts in the English Gold Coast territory, British presence was gradually increased to the point at which it became a major opponent of Asante dominance in what is now Ghana

1707

The 'English Gold Coast' colony becomes 'British Gold Coast' on 1 May. The nearby Asante use their trading networks to sell slaves for profit to the British and other European nations who trade along the coast (see feature link, right). In return, they buy European weapons which they use to further increase the size of the kingdom.

1712 - 1713

Son. Succession disputed by his brother. Defeated.

1713 - 1735

Brother. Won succession dispute.

1735 - 1750

Relationship uncertain.

1750 - 1804

Son. 30th oba of Edo. One of the longest reigns in Benin.

1804 - 1814

As the thirtieth oba, Akengbuda ends his reign in 1804 and the thirty-first begins his reign in 1814, there seems to be an interregnum in the kingdom in this period - although the reign of Obanosa is sometimes given as starting from 1804 instead of 1814.

This image shows the Asante town of Kumasi in 1824, complete with British guard, possibly during a meeting between the asantehene and the governor of Gold Coast (with Sir Charles MacCarthy being the most likely candidate)

The circumstances for a potential interregnum are unknown, but could it be related to the founding in 1809 of a single Islamic state, the Sokoto caliphate, to the immediate north of the empire? The caliphate claims territory which roughly covers all of northern modern Nigeria, largely outside of Benin territory to its south-east.

1814 - 1816

Son. 31st oba of Edo.

1816

Son. Ruled for 8 months. Rule disputed and opposed.

1816 - 1851

Brother. Seized throne following some conflict.

1830s - 1886

Civil wars plague Yorubaland in the south, with this following Erediauwa's defeat of the Yoruba state of Akure and the execution of its chief around 1818.

1851 - 1888

Son. Fought off his own rebellious brother.

1849

Britain establishes a presence around Lagos and from 1861 governs what it calls the 'Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria' by indirect rule through local leaders. It constantly pressures Benin to become a British protectorate.

The moment when young Victoria discovered she was queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as Lord Conyngham (left) and William Howley, archbishop of Canterbury, kneel before her

1888 - 1897

Son. Deposed in 1897 by Britain. Died in exile at Calabar, 1914.

1897 - 1914

The monarchy is suppressed on 9 September 1897 by Britain as direct colonial rule is instigated. The British attack is a response to the earlier ambush of a British expedition which itself may have been a reconnaissance exercise. Along their route and even in the king's palace compound, the British observe multiple slave sacrifices, possibly war offerings, but more probably executed criminals.

The response is virtually immediate. Twelve hundred men easily capture Benin city and destroy areas of the city which are linked to those who had been responsible for the deaths of those on the expedition. The palace is also burned down (claimed as being accidental).

The oba (king), Ovonramwen Nogbaisi is exiled, and British troops loot over five thousand objects which become known as the 'Benin Bronzes'. The loot is distributed to museums and private collections around the world (later to be claimed by Nigeria). Edo (Benin) becomes part of the 'Niger Coast Protectorate'.

This relief plaque which depicts a battle scene is one of those pieces which were donated to the Museum of Fine Arts by New York collector, Robert Owen Lehman

Only on 24 July 1914 is the monarchy restored while the state is known as the 'Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria'. During that time, in 1901-1902 the 'Northern Nigeria Protectorate' is formed out of the territory of the Sokoto caliphate from 1900 and areas of the defeated Bornu empire formerly under the command of the Zobeir dynasty from 1902.

The 'Southern Nigeria Protectorate' is itself a merger between the 'Niger Coast Protectorate' and territories which had been under the control of the Royal Niger Company. The 'Lagos Colony' is added to this in 1906. The two protectorates are amalgamated in 1914 to form a single administrative body, largely due to financial necessity.

1914 - 1933

Son. Restored to throne. Died 2 Feb.

1922

Part of the former German colony of Kamerun is added to Nigeria under a League of Nations mandate.

The German settlements of Dusseldorf and Dschang in the Cameroon colony are about five thousand kilometres apart, but with a shared history which dates back to 1895, eleven years after Cameroon officially became a German colony

1933 - 1960

Son. Born 1899. Titular oba after Nigeria's independence.

1954 - 1955

The 'Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria' becomes the 'Federation of Nigeria' in 1954. James Wilson Robertson is appointed governor-general of the federation until 1960 to oversee much of the transition process as independence draws near.

1960

Nigeria achieves independence from Britain as the 'Federation of Nigeria', with a transition process which is completed in 1963. The titular title of oba continues to be used, although the holders of the post have no political power in the new state.