Kingdom of Benin (restored)

Origins

After the British expedition of 1897 sacked Benin City and ended the Benin Empire, Oba Ovonramwen was exiled to Calabar. When he died in 1914, the British allowed his son to succeed as Oba Eweka II, restoring the monarchy within Colonial Nigeria as the head of the Benin Native Authority.

Rule and society

Eweka II rebuilt the royal palace and revived court ceremonies and the royal guilds, including the bronze casters of Igun Street, who continue to make brass works. The Oba had a recognised role in local government under indirect rule, though real authority lay with British officials. Oba Akenzua II (1933-1978) took part in Nigerian politics in the late colonial period.

To the present

After Nigerian independence the Oba remained a traditional ruler, today in Edo State, with ceremonial and religious authority. Erediauwa reigned from 1979 and Ewuare II from 2016, amid campaigns that have brought the return of some Benin Bronzes looted in 1897.