The Benin Kingdom is commemorating the 10th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, who ascended to the throne on October 20, 2016, as the 40th Oba in a dynastic succession. His reign has been marked by efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the kingdom and promote national identity. The Oba's institution remains the central organizing principle of Edo identity, and his role is seen as an embodiment of Edo civilization.
European visitors in the 15th and 16th centuries documented Benin City as a marvel of urban planning, with its massive earthworks, the Iya, regarded as the largest man-made earth structure in pre-colonial Africa. The famed Benin Bronzes were not mere decorative objects but historical records, legal codes, and spiritual iconography. The Oba is the custodian of this archive, and his role is crucial in preserving the linguistic, spiritual, and aesthetic norms of the people.
A critical assessment of the last decade reveals three defining pillars of the reign of Oba Ewuare II: reconciliation, restitution, and moral authority. One of his earliest acts was the political reconciliation of Edo State's fractious political class in 2016, recalling the traditional role of the Oba as the source of peace. This act demonstrated the Oba's authority as a supra-political father figure whose authority transcends partisan contestation.
The restitution movement has been a significant contribution of Oba Ewuare II's reign, with systematic international advocacy for the repatriation of Benin artefacts looted during the punitive expedition of 1897. His Majesty's intervention elevated the discourse from museum acquisitions to a question of international justice and cultural restitution. Recent returns from Cambridge University, the Smithsonian, and the German government are a result of this sustained royal diplomacy.
In 2018, Oba Ewuare II took the unprecedented step of invoking spiritual sanctions against human trafficking syndicates that exploited Edo youth. By revoking oaths sworn by victims, the Oba demonstrated the potent intersection of traditional spiritual authority and contemporary human rights advocacy. This move showcased the Oba's commitment to protecting the welfare of his people.
At this historic juncture, it is imperative to make a solemn appeal to all Edo sons and daughters to accord the institution of the Oba of Benin the profound respect it deserves. Respect for the institution of the Oba is respect for the Benin cultural heritage itself. The throne is the vessel that has carried the history, values, arts, language, laws, and worldview of the people across centuries of disruption, colonization, and globalization.
The monarchy provides a model of cultural stability that supports, rather than subverts, the modern state. It provides psychological security and a sense of belonging that bureaucratic structures cannot. As the Benin Kingdom celebrates the 10th coronation anniversary of Oba Ewuare II, it is a call to cultural responsibility, urging the Edo people to translate reverence into practice and uphold the dignity, sanctity, and reverence of the throne of their fathers.
Key points
- The Benin Kingdom commemorates the 10th coronation anniversary of Oba Ewuare II, highlighting his role in preserving cultural heritage and promoting national identity.
- Oba Ewuare II's reign has been marked by efforts to promote reconciliation, restitution, and moral authority.
- The institution of the Oba of Benin provides a model of cultural stability that supports the modern state.
