History of the 'Bini/Benin' Empire

 - By: J. C. Iro

An article on the Nigerian Peoples' and Cultures 

THE BINIS: how it all began?

The Binis are a wonderful ethnic group having a vast empire. They played key roles in the history of Nigeria one of which is that they were the very first ethnic group or empire as it were, to have been visited by the Europeans as early as 1472 A.D. 

According to Hubbard: 

the second half of the 15th century was characterized by the arrival of the first Europeans in Benin, the Portuguese named 'Ruy de Sequeira' in 1472 in the reign of a Bini Monarch known as 'Oba Ewuare' and also the visit of 'Affonso de Aviero' in 1484 during the reign of 'Oba Ozolua'. 

The Bini Kingdom was also the first in the West Coast of Africa to exchange ambassadors with a major European power. It was said by Ryder in the year 1977 that Benin sent an ambassador to Portugal during the reign of Oba Ozolua (1481) while the legendary Benin historian, Egharevba (1960), said this ambassadorial delegation occurred during the reign of Oba Esigie (1504). The Chief which was sent was from 'Ughoton', a port town in Benin. 

The Benin Kingdom enjoyed political and social developments so much so that the Europeans were very impressed and one of them who purportedly visited the Kingdom in 1604 had this to say:

The town seems to be very great. When you enter into it, you go into a great broad street, not paved, which seems to be seven to eight times broader than the Warmoes Street in Amsterdam. (Hodgkin, 1975)

This statement made was a clear comparison between the Benin Kingdom and a major European country of that era. 

At this point I will love to intimate us on some key points on the Benin Kingdom, her political system, tradition and lots more. 

• The Political system of the Benin was constructed around and centered on the Oba. In the very words of Igbafe (1974), "the Oba was the PIVOT around which the socio-political system revolved". 
• The Oba was the head of the Kingdom and succession to the throne was by 'primogeniture'. Primogeniture in the simplest of words is a system of succession where rights to the throne belongs to the 'first born' or 'first born son' as it were. 
• It was strongly believed among Binis that the Oba was not only the CIVIL HEAD OF STATE but also the RELIGIOUS HEAD as well. He was regarded also, as divine person in whom the entire race was summed up and in him dwelt the spirit of his ancestors. 

According to some unpopular opinion, it is believed that the Binis have been living on earth 'from the very beginning'. Benin mythology has it that 'Benin' was the youngest child of Osanobua, the High God. He and his brothers which included the King of Ife were sent to live in the world. Osanobua asked his children to take whatever they fancied with them to the world and some chose wealth, magical skills and material well-being while the youngest child chose a snail shell upon the advice of a bird. 

When they arrived the world, to their utmost surprise it was covered with 'water'. The 'youngest child' in obedience to the instruction of the bird turned down the snail shell and sand fell out of it and covered a large part of the water to form land and as such the first ruler of Benin became the owner of the land. This made him very powerful and wealthy as he had to share portions of his lands with his elder brothers who became his subjects. Now, let us look at the history of Benin from a pre-colonial perspective, shall we?

THE OGISO ERA

The first period of pre-colonial Benin History is known as the "Ogiso Era". What were the major features and events in the era?

• It was called 'Ogiso era' simply because their rulers were 'the Ogisos' which means King of the sky. 
• The first Ogiso was known as 'Igbodo' who was succeeded by Ere who created the guild systems and laid a solid foundation for the kingdom. He also encouraged craftsmanship in the kingdom. 
• The guilds created in this era included: the wood-workers called Owina, the carvers called Igbesamwan, the leather workers called Esohian, the hunters called Ohue, the weavers called Owinaido, the pot makers called Emahe etc. 
• It was Ere who also introduced the 'royal throne' known as EKETE and the sword of authority known as ADA and EBEN. 
• Ere died and was succeeded by Orire, who was equally succeeded by a number of Ogisos among whom were women. 
• The last Ogiso was 'Ogiso Owodo'. He was the Ogiso who clashed with the nobles and eventually fell prey to the intrigues of his wives which led to the banishment of his only son and heir apparent to his throne, Ekaladeran. 
• When Ekaladeran was banished he founded a port town in Benin known as Ughoton. When Ekaladeran was too old he sent his youngest son Oranmiyan [also called: Omonoyna - pampered child] who came and established the Eweka dynasty.

THE EWEKA DYNASTY

As the Ogiso dynasty came to its close, Benin experienced an 'interregnum' (an interval between two regimes) in which the elders formed a type of 'republican government' which was headed by a man named 'Evian'. Evian was a seer according to history and he attempted to usurp the throne by nominating his son 'Ogiamen' to succeed him. 'Ogiamen' was rejected by the Benin people simply because the father 'Evian' was never an 'Ogiso'. 

This rejection of 'Ogiamen' by the Benin people caused severe political crisis in the kingdom and eventually divided the people into two factions - 'the pro-Ogiamen' and 'pro-monarchy'. It was during this crisis that the elders sent a delegation to the Ooni of Ife requesting that he sends a ruler to Benin to rule over them as King. The Ooni in response sent his son 'Oranmiyan' who upon his arrival found it pretty difficult to rule. He eventually decided to leave but on his way back to Ife, he had intercourse with a Benin woman believed to be the 'daughter' of 'Enogie of Ego Erinmwinda'. She got pregnant with child and gave birth to 'Eweka I' who was said to have established the 'present dynasty' in Benin. 

Oba Eweka had a long and glorious reign. Here are some things you should know about him:

• He had many children who were later sent to villages as dukes which the Bini people call 'Enogie'. 
• He was succeeded by 'Uwakhuhen' (1220 A.D.) 
• Other rulers that reigned include: 'Ehenmihen', 'Ewedo', 'Oguola', 'Edoni', 'Udagbedo', 'Ohen', 'Egbeka', 'Orohiru', 'Uwaifiokun' and 'Ewuare' the great. It was these Obas that brought great growth and progress to the Benin Kingdom. 

The Benin Society

The Benin Society was also classified as follows:

• 'Adesotu' - the noble class 
• 'Ighiotu' - the commoners 

The 'Adesotu' are further divided into three groups - Uzama, Eghaevbo n'Ogbe and Eghaevbo n'Ore. The former are 'palace chiefs' while the latter are 'town chiefs'. There existed three societies within the palace namely Iwebo, Iweguae and Ibiwe. 

The Uzama Nihiron were the highest ranking State Officials in the Benin Kingdom and their succession was via primogeniture. They were six:

• Oliha 
• Edohen 
• Ezomo 
• Era 
• Eholor 
• Olaton 

Another was added to the list by Oba Ewuare and he called it 'Edaiken' which means 'crown prince'. 

What were the duties of the UZAMA?

The Uzama were heads of different quarters and villages within and outside the city. They performed specialized services for the Oba. 

• The 'Ezomo' was the commander of the army 
• The 'Era' was in charge of the upkeep of the Oba's mother. i.e. her welfare. 
• The 'Eholor' was in custody of the fetish Ire. A traditional god. 
• 'Olaton' and 'Edaiken' were responsible for sharing Oba's gifts among the Uzama. 
• The 'Oliha' was in charge of the coronation of Obas' as they ascended the throne. 

The 'Iwebo', 'Iweguae' and 'Ibiwe' served the needs of the Obas and their household. They had their place in the palace. 

1. The Iwebo were in charge of the Oba's wardrobe including his regalia and it was also the most senior of these societies. 
2. At some point the Iwebo were given duties relating to the finance and trade in the kingdom. Their leader was called 'Iwangue'. 
3. The Iweguae consisted of the Oba's personal attendant and domestic servants and their leader was known as Esere. 
4. The Ibiwe were in charge of the Oba's wives and children and was headed by Oshodin. 

The Eghaevbo Title Holders and the Guild Systems - what they represented?

• The Eghaevbo class of chiefs was made up of two categories namely the palace chiefs 'Eghaevbo n'Ogbe' and the town chiefs 'Eghaevbo n'Ore'. 
• These palace chiefs met with the Oba to discuss executive, judicial and legislative matters affecting the state. 
• The leader of the Eghaevbo n'Ore was called Iyase and it was his duty to confer titles on chiefs that were appointed by the Oba. 

The 'guilds' were professional or skill groups to which the common people of Benin Kingdom belonged. Some of which include: 

1. The Carvers 
2. The Brass workers 
3. The Blacksmiths 
4. The Weavers 
5. Workers in Ivory 
6. Iron workers  
7. Leather workers 
8. Doctors 
9. Drummers 
10. Butchers 
11. Priests 
12. Diviners 

What else?

In conclusion, the Benin Kingdom had a great and glorious history which lasted centuries but in the 18th century, the Empire suffered a lot of crises which crippled it. Some of these crises include: 

• the changing roles with each successive Oba. The Obas later stopped leading the warriors to war and began staying sedentarily in the palace. 
• The British Invasion of the Benin Kingdom in the 19th century, 1897 where the British deposed and deported the then Oba to Calabar where he died in 1914. The first of its kind in all of the History of the Binis. 

Practice Questions 

1. What is interregnum? 
2. Who was the Iyase?
3. Who was Esere? 
4. Enogie can be likened unto _______ in the British Empire? 
5. In what year was an Oba deported to Calabar in the Benin History?
6. Benin was said to be better than the streets of which city?
7. In the Bini Kingdom who was both the Civil Head of State and Religious Head at the same time?
8. Who was rejected as King because his father was not an 'Ogiso'?

Let us hear your answers or views in the comment section.