Eresoyen
| Eresoyen | |
|---|---|
| 29th Oba of Benin | |
 Throne stool of Eresoyen made of brass and commissioned by the Igun Eronmwon, on display in Museu Afro Brasil | |
| Oba of Benin | |
| Reign | c. 1735 – c. 1750 |
| Predecessor | Akenzua I |
| Successor | Akengbuda |
| Died | c. 1750 Benin City |
| Issue |
|
| Dynasty | Eweka dynasty |
| Father | Akenzua I |
| Mother | Ede |
Eresoyen, also spelt Eresonyen, was the twenty-ninth Oba (king) of the Kingdom of Benin who reigned in the eighteenth century, generally dated to c. 1735 – c. 1750.[a] He was the eldest son of Oba Akenzua I and succeeded him on the throne. Eresoyen's reign is noted for reinforcing royal authority following earlier decentralisation, marked by renewed territorial control and direct participation in Atlantic trade. His rule was associated by oral traditions with the large-scale use of cowrie shells as currency and with artistic patronage, including the construction of the Owigho ("House of Money") and support for brass casting. Eresoyen also introduced ritual changes, such as replacing the Ovia masquerade with the Ododua masquerade, and restructured royal marriage practices while creating new titles within the court. He died c. 1750 and was succeeded by his son, Ogiomo who was later known as Oba Akengbuda.
Early life and accession
[edit]Eresoyen was the eldest son of Oba Akenzua I and came to power around 1735.[2][3] His mother's name was Ede.[4] His succession followed the consolidation of authority under his father, who had restored stability after disputes and civil strife.[5][6] He inherited a political setting in which primogeniture had been reasserted and the influence of chiefs reduced.[6]
Reign
[edit]Eresoyen's reign is described in Benin traditions as a turning point in restoring monarchical power after chiefs had dominated politics and trade.[7] Following the decline of central authority after Oba Ehengbuda, local chiefs had controlled coastal trade, but Eresoyen's rule reversed this.[7] His reign is linked with renewed royal influence, territorial expansion, and direct trade with Europeans.[7]
During his reign, Agbor rebelled against Benin. Eresoyen sent Ezomo Ehennua[b] to suppress the revolt, leading to the capture and execution of the Agbor ruler.[2] Agbor remained under Benin until a later rebellion in the nineteenth century.[2] He also intervened in succession disputes in the Kingdom of Aboh, installing a claimant as Obi or Eze[c] with insignia from Benin, while a rival claimant was subdued.[2]
His reign was associated with wealth and trade, particularly through cowrie shells.[2][7] Oral traditions connect this to reconciliation with the sea deity Olokun, while scholars attribute it to Atlantic imports during the slave trade era.[3][7] The influx of goods such as textiles and metals stimulated Benin's artistic production.[9]
Eresoyen is remembered for artistic patronage, building the Owigho ("House of Money") which was decorated with cowries.[10][2][6][3] Chiefs such as the Ezomo also adopted similar decorations.[6][3] Brass works, including stools and leopard figures, were produced in greater numbers.[11] He commissioned a brass stool modeled on earlier royal designs, linking his reign to Oba Esigie.[12] Many notable bronzes are attributed to Akenzua I and Eresoyen.[10]
He expanded ceremonial kingship, emphasising sacred and dynastic authority.[12] He introduced the Ododua masquerade, honouring dynastic lineage traced to Oromiyan, replacing the Ovia masquerade.[2][13] Eresoyen reformed royal marriage customs, ending the practice of princesses residing in Ulegun for suitors,[d][2][15] and instead, marriages were arranged directly with chiefs and citizens.[2]
He introduced ivory flutes known as akehen.[2][11] He also created new titles such as Imaran, Osula, Osague, Osonlaye, Obamagiagbonrhia, and Ebagua.[2] His reign formalised festival observances, including adjustments to the Ehiekhu festival.[2]
Personal life and family
[edit]Eresoyen had a son, Ogiomo, who was described by historian Jacob Egharevba as light-skinned, "tall and very handsome".[16] He also had several daughters, including Princess Omosede, Princess Osana, and Princess Akesogie. Princess Omosede married the Iyase,[e] while Princess Osana married the Edogun. Princess Akesogie married the Ihaza, but her conduct was criticised in oral traditions, leading to intervention by the Oba, who admonished her for disrespectful behaviour towards her husband and his family.[15]
Death and legacy
[edit]Eresoyen died c. 1750 and was succeeded by his son Ogiomo, who took the regnal name Akengbuda.[16] His reign is remembered in oral traditions and scholarship as a period of restored royal authority and cultural development in Benin.[7][10]
Explanatory notes
[edit]- ↑ The Kingdom of Benin no longer exists as a governing entity, but the Oba of Benin still rules a tribal kingdom and holds an advisory role in the government of Benin City, Nigeria.[1]
- ↑ The Ezomo is the second in command of the Benin warriors, following the Iyase.[8]
- ↑ Igbo word for King
- ↑ Ulegun is a community in present–day Edo, Nigeria.[14]
- ↑ The Iyase is the commander-in-chief of the Benin warriors, followed by the Ezomo and the Ologbosere and Imaran.[8]
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ↑ Parks 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Egharevba 1968, p. 40.
- 1 2 3 4 McNiven, Thompson & Fitzpatrick 2026, p. PT118.
- ↑ Kaplan 1993, p. 62.
- ↑ Egharevba 1968, p. 39.
- 1 2 3 4 Ben-Amos 1995, p. 49.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ogundiran 2020, p. 298.
- 1 2 Egharevba 1968, p. 80.
- ↑ Research Committee for African Area Studies 1997, p. 53.
- 1 2 3 Plankensteiner 2007, p. 85.
- 1 2 Research Committee for African Area Studies 1997, p. 54.
- 1 2 Ben-Amos 1995, p. 50.
- ↑ Ben-Amos 1995, p. 52.
- ↑ The Nation 2022.
- 1 2 Egharevba 1962, p. 14.
- 1 2 Egharevba 1968, p. 41.
Bibliography
[edit]- Ben-Amos, Paula Girshick (1995). The Art of Benin. British Museum Press. ISBN 978-0-7141-2520-6.
- Egharevba, Jacob Uwadiae (1962). Marriage of the Princesses of Benin. Kopin-Dogba Press. OCLC 3589166.
- McNiven, Ian J.; Thompson, Victor D.; Fitzpatrick, Scott M. (2026). Sentient Seas: Archaeologies of Seascapes and Maritime Rituals. University Press of Florida. ISBN 978-0-8130-7541-9.
- "Oba of Benin, Ulegun Community Bicker Over 'Illegal Demolition'". The Nation. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- Ogundiran, Akinwumi (2020-11-03). The Yoruba. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-05150-9.
- Plankensteiner, Barbara (2007). "Benin–Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria". African Arts. 40 (4). UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center: 74–87. doi:10.1162/afar.2007.40.4.74. ISSN 0001-9933. JSTOR 20447858.
- Parks, Clint (19 October 2023). "The Kingdom of Benin". National Geographic Society. ISSN 0027-9358. Retrieved 26 February 2025.