Ehengbuda
| Ehengbuda | |
|---|---|
| Oba of Benin | |
 Commemorative Head of an Oba. | |
| Oba of Benin | |
| Reign | c. 1578 – c. 1606 |
| Predecessor | Orhogbua |
| Successor | Ohuan |
| Born | Benin City |
| Died | c. 1606 Aghan River |
| Burial | Benin City |
| House | Eweka dynasty |
| Father | Orhogbua |
| Mother | Umelu |
| Religion | Traditional |
Ehengbuda (a.k.a. Edo: Ehengbuda N'Obo, lit. 'Ehengbuda the Physician') served as the eighteenth Oba (monarch) of the Benin Empire, with a reign from c. 1578 AD – c. 1606 AD. He was the son and successor of Orhogbua, the first Oba to establish contact with the Europeans. Ehengbuda expanded the Benin Empire to the west and east, and strengthened its control over several tributary states. He also interacted with the Portuguese and the English, and received gifts such as a telescope from them. His death in a maritime storm while returning from a visit to his colony in Lagos marked the end of the era of warrior kings in Benin history, as the subsequent Obas delegated the command of the military to their chiefs.
Early life and accession
Ehengbuda was the eldest son of Oba Orhogbua and Iyoba Umelu who later became the eighteenth Oba of Benin about 1578 AD. He was accused by the Uwangue of Uselu, a senior chief, of attempting to usurp the throne during his father's absence at war. His steward, Ake, was executed on the charge of ill-advising him, and his mother, Umelu, ended her own life in a pond in the Oba's harem, fearing for her son's life. However, after an investigation, Ehengbuda was found innocent of the accusation.[1]
Upon his ascension to the throne around 1578, Ehengbuda abolished the title of Uwangue of Uselu. He also created several new titles and ranks for his chiefs and warriors, and established the title of Ohennika of Idunmwu-Ebo, the holder of which performs the funeral rites for anyone who takes his own life in Benin City.[1]
Reign
Military campaigns
Ehengbuda led his troops to conquer and subdue other states. He fought against the Oyo Empire, the Nupe, the Yoruba states, and the Igbo towns and villages.[2]
He defeated an army of horsemen sent by the Oyo or the Nupe to invade Benin, and established the Benin-Oyo boundary at Otun in the Ekiti country. He also received tribute from several Yoruba rulers. He also warred against the Igbo on the western side of the Niger River, and brought many towns and villages under his control. He renamed the first town he captured, Igidi, as Agban (corrupted to Agbor) after his warrior and Ezomo (senior town chief), Agban.[1][3]
Ehengbuda faced some challenges from his chiefs and relatives. His Iyase (prime minister), Ekpennede, was angered by the execution of his only son, who had committed adultery with one of the Oba's wives. He killed his own household, including his wife, who was the Oba's only daughter, and began a massacre of the populace. He finally committed suicide by hanging. Since then, the Iyase of Benin was not allowed to reside in the Ogbe quarter, nor to return to Benin City after conquering any big town.[4]
Another chief, Uwangue Osokhirikpa, was found guilty of committing adultery with one of the Oba's wives under his supervision while inebriated. He was incarcerated for four years and ultimately sentenced to death. However, he disappeared as he was about to be executed and was never seen again. As a result, it was decreed that no Uwangue should be executed or any of the Oba's wives be placed under the care of any member of the Royal Society of the House of Iwebo.[5]
A young prince named Osogboye, successor to the throne of Owo, was sent to Benin City by the Owo people to be educated by the Oba. He was appointed one of the emada (state-swordbearers) and served in this role for many years. After the death of the Owa of Owo, he left for Owo to ascend his father's throne, without being formally discharged and without the Oba's knowledge. The Oba, upset by this, sent people to bring him back to Benin City. When Osogboye heard of this, he smeared himself with foul-smelling substances and pretended to be seriously ill. The Oba's messengers could not approach him and reported that he was dying. As a result, Ehengbuda let him go. A year later, Osogboye was crowned Owa of Owo (later known as Olowo of Owo).[6] He began the construction of the trenches that surround Owo town, to prevent the Oba's forces from entering, should he send them to bring him to Benin City. He also sent gifts to the Oba, informing him that he had recovered from his illness, and requested him to approve and confirm his installation as the Owa. The Oba did so, but reminded him to continue his tribute to the Oba.[7]
Interactions with the Europeans
Ehengbuda maintained the contact that his father had established with the Europeans, particularly the Portuguese and the English. He received several visits from them and exchanged gifts and trade. He was presented with a telescope by James Welsh, an English merchant, in 1590. Ehengbuda claimed that this was a glass through which he could see many things that were invisible to the human eye. He also said that he could communicate with celestial beings with the aid of the glass. His subjects believed him, as he was known to be a physician and spiritualist. He was given the nickname Ehengbuda N'Obo, meaning Ehengbuda the physician or the doctor.[1][8]
Ehengbuda also resolved disputes among the Yoruba Obas, who shared a common dynastic lineage with him. He interceded on behalf of the Oba Atakunmosa of Ilesha, who had taken refuge in his court after being dethroned and banished by his subjects for his tyranny. He sent for the elders of Ilesha and persuaded them to take back their ruler. He also gave him a coral collar or neck beads (odigba) as a present and a sign of his authority. This became the hereditary title of the succeeding Obas, who were nicknamed Arun-aza (Arun-aja) by their subjects.[9]
Death and legacy
Ehengbuda died around 1606, during a storm at sea while returning from a visit to his colony in Lagos. He had travelled there to inspect the war encampment (eko) that his father had built on Lagos Island. With his chiefs and warriors, he planned to return to Benin City by canoe. However, a sudden storm capsized his canoe in the Agan River, about six days' canoe journey from Benin and two days from Lagos. He and his entourage drowned in the river, and their bodies were not recovered.[10][11]
Ehengbuda's death was a significant event for his people, who mourned him for a long period. His death also marked the end of the era of warrior kings in Benin history, as the subsequent Obas delegated the command of the military to their chiefs, and focused more on the ritual and spiritual functions of kingship. The Oba became more secluded within the palace, and was seen as a figure of supernatural powers rather than martial prowess.[12][13]
Ehengbuda left a legacy in the Benin Empire, as he expanded its territory and influence, and strengthened its control over many tributary states. He also maintained contact and trade with the Europeans, and received gifts and technology from them. He resolved disputes among the Yoruba Obas, who shared a common dynastic lineage with him. He created several new titles and ranks for his chiefs and warriors, and established some traditions and customs that are still observed today. He was known as a physician and a spiritualist, who claimed to have a glass that could see the invisible and communicate with celestial beings. He was given the nickname Ehengbuda N'Obo, meaning Ehengbuda the physician or the doctor.[14][8][9][11]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d Egharevba 1968, p. 30–31.
- ^ Osadolor 2001, p. 91.
- ^ Ryder 1969, p. 14–16.
- ^ Egharevba 1968, p. 31–32.
- ^ Egharevba 1968, p. 32.
- ^ Akomolafe 1979, pp. 83.
- ^ Egharevba 1968, p. 32–33.
- ^ a b Edebiri 2004, p. PT3.
- ^ a b Olomola 2002, p. 7–8.
- ^ Egharevba 1968, p. 33.
- ^ a b Uwaifo 2006, p. 88–89.
- ^ Ryder 1969, p. 16.
- ^ Osadolor 2001, p. 143.
- ^ Egharevba 1968, p. 30–33.
Bibliography
- Egharevba, Jacob (1968). A Short History of Benin. CMS Press. pp. 30–33. ISBN 9789781212390.
- Ryder, A.F.C. (1969). Benin and the Europeans, 1485-1897. Humanities Press. pp. 14–16.
- Edebiri, D.U. (2004). Moonlight at Noon. Allen Publishers. pp. PT3. ISBN 978-978-37653-2-0.
- Olomola, G.I. (2002). Reconciliation, the Myth and the Fact. Obafemi Awolowo University Press. pp. 7–8.
- Uwaifo, S.O. (2006). Edo Cultural Voyage. Hanon Publishers. pp. 88–89. ISBN 978-978-34649-3-3.
- Osadolor, Osarhieme (2001). The military system of Benin Kingdom, c. 1440 - 1897 (Thesis). University of Hamburg. pp. 91–143.
- Akomolafe, C.O. (16 February 1979). "The Establishment of British Administration and ITS Impact on Owo-Akoko Relations, 1919-1935". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 10 (1). Historical Society of Nigeria: 65–85. ISSN 0018-2540. JSTOR 41971314. Retrieved 11 February 2024.