From Ewuare the Great to Ewuare II: The Enduring Legacy of the Benin Throne

As Oba Ewuare II marks 10 years on the Benin throne, the anniversary offers a chance to reflect on a royal institution that has shaped Edo identity for centuries. His royal name links his reign to Oba Ewuare the Great, the 15th-century ruler remembered for transforming Benin’s political institutions, royal ceremonies and capital city. The Benin Kingdom grew into one of West Africa’s most influential precolonial states, renowned for its organised court, skilled guilds and extraordinary brass, ivory and bronze artworks. Its palace traditions, coral regalia and ancestral works remain central to the cultural memory of the Edo people. The 1897 British invasion of Benin City brought devastating loss. The palace was looted, Oba Ovonramwen was exiled, and thousands of artworks were taken abroad. Ongoing efforts to return these artefacts, including recent restitutions by European institutions, remain important to the restoration of Benin heritage. Today, Oba Ewuare II leads within Nigeria’s constitutional system while supporting cultural preservation, community engagement and the recovery of historical treasures. The continuing relevance of the throne will depend on how its history, language, crafts and traditions are passed on to younger generations.

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