Remarkable Historical Figures of Ancient Benin Kingdom

Ancient Benin Empire was one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa. The empire offers a snapshot of a relatively well-organized and sophisticated African polity in operation before the major European colonial interlude.

Benin Empire rose to the height of its glory thanks to the daunting contributions and sacrifices made by some outstanding men, women, leaders and warlords. Most of them went as far as laying down their lives for the advancement of the kingdom.

Emotan is one of the heroines of Benin Kingdom. She was an ordinary trader who sold her wares at the exact point where her statue now stands.

She is credited to have founded the first informal creche in Benin as her hut was a popular make-shift nursery for the children of families patronizing the market.

Her hut also served as a solace and hideout for Prince Ogun. She showed immense kindness to the prince when he was fighting to gain back power from his usurper brother, Oba Uwaifiokun who reigned about 1432 AD.

Emotan played a significant role in helping Prince Ogun (who eventually became Oba Ewuare) ascend the throne. Oba Ewuare reigned as the 12th Oba of Benin in about 1440 AD.

Following Emotan's death a short while after Ewuare’s ascension to the throne, the Oba decreed that she should not only be buried in her hut, but that her grave be marked with an Uruhe tree and she should be deified as the conscience of justice. Every celebratory procession in Benin pays homage to the burial site.

Oba Akenzua II, in cooperation with the British Colonial authorities commissioned in 1954, a life size bronze statue of Emotan as a young woman, sculpted by Mr. John A. Danford, in his Chelsea, London, studio in 1951, from a miniature model cast by Igun Street artists.

Queen Iden is yet another heroine whose sacrifice helped shape Benin Kingdom. She was the queen during the reign of Oba Ewuape in about 1700 AD. She is known to have volunteered herself as a sacrificial lamb for the welfare of her husband and that of the entire kingdom.

Her husband, Oba Ewuape, ascended the throne in very turbulent times. His kingdom and chiefs rebelled against him. He had the kingdom but had no subjects. His palace was deserted, save for Queen Iden. She stood by Oba Ewuape and refused to leave the palace. The oracle divined that for peace to be restored to Benin Kingdom, a human sacrifice was needed. Queen Iden offered herself as a sacrificial lamb for the restoration of the monarchy. She was given a befitting burial and her tomb lies close to Oba market (in Benin City) till date.

General Asoro is one remarkable historical figure Benin Kingdom will not forget in a hurry. He was one of the most outstanding warriors who fought gallantly during the Benin-British war. He led other warriors in resisting the entry of British invaders in 1897 into Benin City.

His statement "no other person dare pass this road except the Oba" (So kpon Oba) was later translated to "SAKPONBA", the name of a well-known road in Benin. To commemorate his contribution, his statue was erected at what is now Oba Ovonramwen Square, at the beginning of Sakponba Road, Benin City. According to tradition, that was the very spot Chief Asoro died.

Oba Ewedo who reigned in about 1255 AD is credited to have removed the seat of government from Usama (a village outside Benin city) to the present palace. He was known to be a disciplinarian and it is to his credit that the first prison in Benin was built.

Edionisen were the five elders of Benin Kingdom during the reign of Oba Ewedo. Oba Ewedo called them "Emwan nei zama omwan" meaning "people who have no respect for their monarch". This name was later corrupted to Uzama. To avoid more power struggle, Oba Ewedo moved the kingdom seat of government from Usama to its present place in Benin City the heart of the kingdom.

Oba Ewuare, known as Oba Ewuare the Great by the Binis was one of the most prominent of the Benin Obas. He reigned in about 1440 AD and was helped by Emotan during the reign of Oba Uwaifiokun his usurper brother.

He is considered as the the greatest, the most revered, dynamic, innovative and successful monarch to have reign in Benin kingdom.

He introduced the royal beads and scarlet cloth (Ododo) which remains the Benin royal colour. The "ugie Ewere" began during his reign. He was also the first Oba to come in contact with Europeans. He encouraged ivory and wood carving in the kingdom.

He is said to have been a great mystic, physician, traveler and warrior. He constructed Akpakpava street which still exists till date. Oba Ewuare also created the inner city wall in Benin kingdom which still attracts tourist to Benin City.

Oba Esigie who reigned in Benin Kingdom in about 1504 AD is one of the leaders of thought who helped transform the kingdom into an empire.

European connection with the kingdom became stronger during his reign as Portuguese missionary activities were encouraged in the kingdom. He created a school following astrology (Iwoki) and could speak Portuguese language fluently.

He fought and defeated his brother Arhuanran (Goliath-type stature) the powerful ruler of Udo town some kilometres outside Benin City during the Benin-Udo war.

The title of Iyoba (Queen Mother) was created by Oba Esigie and was conferred for the first time on his mother Idia. He also built a palace for her, Eguae-Iyoba (Palace of the Queen mother) which is currently located at the lower part of Uselu, a suburban area in Benin City.

Although Oba Akenzua II reigned 36 years after the fall of the old Benin Empire, his contributions in revamping Benin after its fall are worth mentioning. His era witnessed intellectual, cultural, social and economic advancement.

During his reign, Edo college, the oldest secondary grammar school in the Mid-Western Region of Nigeria was established. He also opened the Benin Divisional Council museum in 1947. He began the campaign for the creation if mid-western region, then Bendel, now Edo and Delta states. He erected the statue of Emotan on the 11th of March, 1954.