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 of the Benin Empire, with a reign from c. 1578 AD – c. 1606 AD. Succeeding his father, Orhogbua, the first Oba to initiate contact with Europeans, Ehengbuda expanded the empire's territory westward and eastward, solidifying control over tributary states. He also engaged in diplomacy and trade with the Portuguese and English, acquiring gifts such as a telescope. 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

The eldest son of Oba Orhogbua and Iyoba Umelu, Ehengbuda ascended the throne as the eighteenth Oba of Benin circa 1578 AD. During his father's absence at war, he faced an accusation of attempted usurpation by the Uwangue of Uselu, a senior chief. This accusation resulted in the execution of his steward, Ake, and his own mother, Iyoba Umelu, who took her life fearing for her son's safety. However, a subsequent investigation cleared Ehengbuda of any wrongdoing.

Following his enthronement, Ehengbuda abolished the title of Uwangue of Uselu. He also instituted a series of reforms, creating new titles and ranks for his chieftains and warriors. Notably, he established the title of Ohennika of Idunmwu-Ebo, a position responsible for conducting funeral rites for those who commit suicide within Benin City.

Reign

Military campaigns

During his reign, Oba Ehengbuda embarked on a series of military campaigns with the aim of expanding the Benin Empire's territory and influence. One of his most notable victories was defeating a mounted army sent by either the Oyo or the Nupe. This victory established the Benin-Oyo boundary at Otun in the Ekiti country. He secured tribute from several Yoruba rulers.

Ehengbuda's conquests extended eastward, where he subjugated numerous Igbo towns and villages on the western bank of the Niger River. The first town captured was renamed Agban (later corrupted to Agbor) after his esteemed warrior and Ezomo (senior chief), Agban.

Ehengbuda faced internal challenges from within his own court. His reign was marred by a tragic incident involving his Iyase (prime minister), Ekpennede. Enraged by the execution of his son for adultery with one of the Oba's wives, Ekpennede embarked on a destructive rampage, killing his family and members of the populace before taking his own life. This event led to a new regulation prohibiting the Iyase from residing in the Ogbe quarter or returning to Benin City after conquering a major town.

Another incident involved Uwangue Osokhirikpa, a chief who was found guilty of adultery with the Oba's wife while intoxicated. He was incarcerated for four years before being sentenced to death. However, he disappeared before his execution and was never seen again. This event prompted a decree forbidding the execution of Uwanges and the placement of the Oba's wives under the care of any member of the Royal Society of the House of Iwebo.

Ehengbuda's relationship with the Owo people was also marked by a test of loyalty. A young prince named Osogboye, heir to the Owo throne, was sent to Benin City for education. He served as an emada, 'state-swordbearer' for many years. Upon the death of the Owa of Owo, Osogboye departed for Owo to claim his inheritance without formally seeking leave from the Oba. The enraged Oba dispatched messengers to retrieve him, but Osogboye feigned a serious illness to avoid returning. Eventually, the Oba relented, allowing Osogboye to be crowned the Owa (later known as the Olowo) of Owo. A year later, a recovered Osogboye sent gifts to the Oba, seeking his approval as the new Olowo and reaffirming his commitment to tribute payments. The Oba granted his request, solidifying a renewed sense of loyalty between the two kingdoms.

Foreign relations

Ehengbuda continued the diplomatic relations established by his father with European powers, particularly Portugal and England. He received European visitors on several occasions, exchanging gifts and engaging in trade. Notably, in 1590, an English merchant named James Welsh presented him with a telescope.

Ehengbuda claimed the telescope possessed remarkable properties, allowing him to see beyond the limitations of human sight and even communicate with celestial beings. His subjects, aware of his reputation as a physician and spiritualist, readily accepted these claims. This association with the telescope earned him the nickname Ehengbuda N'Obo, 'Ehengbuda the Physician or "the Doctor"'.

Ehengbuda also played a role in mediating disputes among Yoruba Obas who shared a dynastic lineage with him. He intervened on behalf of Atakunmosa, the deposed Oba of Ilesha, who sought refuge in Benin after being driven out by his people due to his tyrannical rule. Ehengbuda summoned the Ilesha elders and persuaded them to reinstate their Oba. As a symbol of renewed authority, he bestowed upon Atakunmosa a coral collar or neck beads (odigba). This gift became a hereditary title for subsequent Obas of Ilesha, who earned the nickname Arun-aza (Arun-aja) from their subjects.

Death and legacy

In circa 1606, Oba Ehengbuda died at sea during a violent storm while returning from a visit to Lagos. He had undertaken the journey to inspect the military encampment (eko) established by his father on Lagos Island. Accompanied by his chiefs and warriors, he intended to return to Benin City by canoe. However, a sudden storm capsized their vessel on the Agan River, roughly six days' travel from Benin and two days from Lagos. Ehengbuda and his entourage drowned, and their remains were never recovered.

Ehengbuda's reign coincided with the end of the era dominated by warrior kings. Subsequent Obas entrusted military leadership to their chiefs, shifting their focus towards the ceremonial and spiritual aspects of kingship. The Oba's role became increasingly secluded within the palace, evolving into a figure associated with mystical power rather than military prowess.

He expanded the Benin Empire's territorial reach and influence, solidifying control over numerous tributary states. He fostered diplomatic and trade relations with European powers, acquiring novel technologies and gifts. Additionally, he mediated disputes among Yoruba Obas with whom he shared a dynastic lineage. Notably, he implemented reforms within the court, creating new titles and ranks for his chiefs and warriors. He also established traditions and customs that continue to be observed today. Renowned as a physician and spiritualist, Ehengbuda was known to claim possession of a glass that granted him the ability to perceive the unseen and communicate with celestial beings. This association earned him the nickname Ehengbuda N'Obo, 'Ehengbuda the physician or the doctor'.

References

Bibliography

• Egharevba, Jacob (1968). A Short History of Benin. CMS Press. pp. 30–33. ISBN 9789781212390.
• 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.
• 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.
• Smith, Robert Sydney (1969). Kingdoms of the Yoruba. London: London : Methuen. ISBN 978-0-416-10370-0.

Further reading

• Ryder, A.F.C. (1969). Benin and the Europeans, 1485-1897. Humanities Press. pp. 14–16.
• Uwaifo, S.O. (2006). Edo Cultural Voyage. Hanon Publishers. pp. 88–89. ISBN 978-978-34649-3-3.