Starting from 1440-1897, the Benin empire, otherwise known as the Edo empire, was one of the largest pre-colonial African state in what is today Nigeria. Today, although his position is largely symbolic and traditional, there is still an Oba or King who directs the affairs of the kingdom.

The Benin Empire was one of the oldest and well-organized states in the coastal areas of West Africa until it was colonized in 1897 by the British Empire which ended the empire as a political entity around the late 19th century.

The Oba (or king) at the time opposed the invading colonialists, leading to them burning down the capital city. However, after the demise of the exiled 35th Oba, who stubbornly resisted the invasion, the 36th Oba was allowed to return to Nigeria.

In post-colonial Nigeria, together with the traditional rulers, the Oba of Benin is today duly recognized as a member of the House of Chiefs, acting as the leader of the Edo community which comprises around half a million people.

Thus, the role of the present-day Oba is largely symbolic and cultural, with a historical legacy that is displayed through artifacts of bronze, ivory, and iron. Unfortunately, when the British set alight to the Benin capital city, Benin City, in 1897, they stole and carted away many of Benin's artifacts. They also razed down some very valuable works of art. Since the British had this belief that so-called primitive societies had no skills and technologies that were anything closer to what they had, they felt no qualms destroying all evidence of such cultures.

Origin

Different historical sources have their own explanations about the origins of the Benin people. According to one source, the original people and founders of the Benin Empire were ruled initially by the Ogisos, loosely translated as the Kings of the Sky. The city of Ibinu, which was to later become Benin City, was founded in the year 1180 CE.

Historians have counted at least 36 known Ogiso as having ruled the empire. When the last one died, his heir apparent, Ekaladerhan, was banished from the kingdom because one of the Queens was fingered to have changed the message sent in by the oracles to the Ogiso.

Ekaladerhan, a powerful and well-loved warrior prince, left the kingdom and traveled west, and ended up in the land of the Yorubas. In Yoruba mythology, the oracle had earlier prophesied that the King would emerge from the forest. So, when he arrived, he was heralded as the King that they were expecting.

Subsequently, Ekaladerhan changed his name to Imadoduwa, which loosely translated as ‘I did not misplace my royalty’, and became known as “The Great Oduduwa of Yoruba Land”. On his father’s demise, an emissary of Benin Chiefs led by Chief Oliha paid a visit to Ife, where they pleaded with him to make the journey back to Benin and ascend the throne. His reply was that a king cannot leave his throne and that since he already had seven sons, he will send one of them to assume the kingship in Benin as the next monarch.

His son, Oranmiyan, accepted to go back and assume the kingship in the Benin Kingdom. However, he only spent a few years in Benin, returning back to Ife after his wife gave birth to his son, Eweka 1, who became the first Oba of Benin in the year 1440. Known as Oba Ewuare the Great, he turned the city-state around, making it an empire and naming it Edo in 1470.

Golden Age

From 1440 to 1473, the Oba was the paramount ruler within the whole region. During this Golden Age, the Oba was credited with transforming Benin City into a military fortress with formidable protection from moats and high walls. He launched, from this bastion, a series of military campaigns that led to the expansion of the empire from the Edo-speaking headlands. His central authority spread far and wide, with the lands of Idah, Akure, and Owo all coming under his jurisdiction.

At its height, it is claimed the reaches of the empire spread as far out as Onicha in the east, traversing the forested south-western regions of present-day Nigeria, and digging deep into present-day Ghana. Even the Ga people of Ghana trace their origins to the ancient kingdom of Benin.

Decline

The Benin Empire steadily declined starting from 1700 but was to later gain revival during the 19th century with the development of the palm oil trade, and textiles. During this time, it grew increasingly rich.

Through most of the 1880s and 1890s, Benin refused to sign a protectorate agreement with the British.  After eight British representatives were killed in Benin territory, a ‘Punitive Expedition’ was launched in 1897, in which the British forces conquered and plundered the whole city, stealing all the ancient valuable artifacts. Most of the precious artwork was stolen and shipped outside the shores of the country, with some ending up in the British Museum and other museums around the world. More than 3000 objects were carted away and stored in secret locations, perpetuating the myth that no such works could have been made in Africa.