Ehengbuda

Ehengbuda (a.k.a. Edo: Ehengbuda N'Obo, lit. 'Ehengbuda the Physician') served as the eighteenth Oba of the Benin Kingdom, 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 Kingdom's territory westward and eastward. He also engaged in diplomacy and trade with the Portuguese and English, acquiring gifts such as a telescope. His death at the hands of the mahin people who drowned his ship while returning from 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.

Ehengbuda
Oba of Benin
Commemorative Head of an Oba from the 16th century.
Oba of Benin
Reign	c. 1578 – c. 1606
Predecessor	Orhogbua
Successor	Ohuan
Born	Benin City
Died	c. 1606 Aghan River
Issue	Prince Odogbo (Oba Ohuan) Princess Isiuwa
House	Eweka dynasty
Father	Orhogbua
Mother	Umelu

The eldest son of Oba Orhogbua and Iyoba Umelu, Ehengbuda ascended the throne as the eighteenth Oba of Benin around 1578 AD. During his father's absence at war, he faced an accusation of attempted usurpation by the Uwangue of Uselu,^[1] a senior chief and head of the Royal Society of the House of Iwebo.^[2] 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.^[3]

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.^[3]

Ehengbuda had two recorded issues, Princess Isiuwa (nicknamed Oghiyan), who later became wife of Ekpennede, the Iyase of Benin;^[4] and Prince Odogbo, who later succeeded his father as Oba with regnal name Ohuan.^[5]

Military campaigns

During his reign, Oba Ehengbuda embarked on a series of military campaigns with the aim of expanding the Benin territory and influence.

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.^[6]

Internal challenges and domestic relations

Ehengbuda faced internal challenges from within his own court. His early 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 Princess Isiuwa, the only daughter of Ehengbuda, 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 quarters or returning to Benin City after conquering a major town. Ehengbuda banished Ekpennede and prohibited anyone in Benin from visiting his residence. In retaliation, Ekpennede banished and cursed Osokhirikpa, the Uwangue who actuate his son's execution.^[4]

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 Uwangues and the placement of the Oba's wives under the care of any member of the Royal Society of the House of Iwebo.^[5]

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, or state-swordbearer for many years. Upon the death of the Owa of Owo, Osogboye departed Benin for Owo, without the Oba's permission after witnessing the hardship of some other tribes that came to Benin for education was going through. The enraged Oba dispatched messengers to retrieve him, but Osogboye declined, and this caused a war between Benin and Owo, which Owo was victorious. This event marked the end of Benin and Owo special relationship, as both has influenced eachother culturally throughout history.

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.^[4][7]

Ehengbuda claimed the telescope possessed remarkable properties, allowing him to see beyond the limitations of human sight and even communicate with celestial beings.^[4] 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, meaning Ehengbuda the Physician or Doctor.^[4]

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.^[8]

Around 1606, Oba Ehengbuda died at sea by the hands of the Mahin people who drowned his canoe on his way back from Lagos.

Accompanied by his chiefs and warriors, he intended to return to Benin City by canoe but unfortunately he drowned in an ambush conspired by the Mahin people.

Ehengbuda and his entourage drowned, and their remains were never recovered.^[5]

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.^[9]

Ehengbuda was succeeded by Prince Odogbo who was his only son and ascended the throne with regnal name, Oba Ohuan.^[5]

Citations

Bibliography

• 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.