c. 15th centuryEvent
Oba Ewuare transforms Benin into a city and empire
In the 15th century a man of violence named Ogun took the royal name Ewuare after burning much of old Benin and killing the reigning Oba.
Hall of FamePre-Independence
c. 15th century
Oba Ewuare transforms Benin into a city and empire
In the 15th century a man of violence named Ogun took the royal name Ewuare after burning much of old Benin and killing the reigning Oba.
What happened
In the 15th century a man of violence named Ogun took the royal name Ewuare after burning much of old Benin and killing the reigning Oba. He rebuilt the capital with a great rampart, organised palace guilds and three retainer associations (Iwebo, Iweguae, Ibiwe), created town chiefs (Eghaevbo n'Ore), introduced an annual festival, and led conquests as far as the Afenmai area, Akure, Owo and western Igbo groups.