Before Eweka I's rule, the Benin Kingdom faced uncertainty due to the banishment of Owodo, the last Ogiso, for misrule.
To gauge the loyalty of the Benin people, Oromiyan challenged them to care for a common louse for three years, symbolising their commitment to their potential king.
Following Eweka I's death in 1235 AD, his legacy became an integral part of the Benin Kingdom's identity, influencing its governance, traditions, and cultural heritage.
[6] Owodo's removal due to misrule created a period of uncertainty in Benin, leading to Eweka I's eventual rise to power.
[6][8] Oromiyan's arrival marked a significant turning point for the kingdom, albeit met with resistance from the existing administration led by Ogiamien.
[7] Oromiyan resided in a specially constructed palace in Benin, where he entered matrimony with Erinwinde, an Edo woman, resulting in the birth of their son, Eweka.
[6][9][10] The Benin people, demonstrating their loyalty, successfully completed a unique task set by Oromiyan – caring for a common louse for three years, symbolising their commitment to their potential king.
[10] The term "Oba," denoting kingship, gained prominence during Eweka I's rule, highlighting his historical significance without subjective language.
Her influence and connections were critical in establishing Eweka's legitimacy as the rightful heir, as her lineage traced directly to the land's ancestral guardians.
His education and training were overseen by local elites and spiritual leaders, ensuring he was well-versed in the customs and governance practices required of a future monarch.
[23] The sociopolitical climate of Eweka's early life was shaped by the aftermath of the Ogiso dynasty's decline and the interim rule of leaders like Evian and Ogiamwen.
[24] The invitation to Oranmiyan, and subsequently the rise of Eweka, was part of a deliberate effort by the Edionevbo to stabilise the kingdom by establishing a legitimate ruling dynasty.
[23] Eweka's maternal heritage connected him to the spiritual guardianship of the land, while his paternal lineage endowed him with external legitimacy, reinforcing his status as a chosen leader.
Eweka's descendants further institutionalised the traditions and governance structures introduced during his reign, solidifying the monarchy's role in Benin's sociopolitical framework.
[28] After the exile of Owodo, the last ruler from the Ogiso dynasty, due to his actions, a period of uncertainty gripped the Benin region.
[5][13] However, this decision faced opposition from certain Edo individuals who argued that the throne should be reserved for those of royal lineage rather than commoners like Evian's family.
"[33] For over 30 years, the administration of Benin City remained in the hands of the Ogiamien family until 1200 AD when a young king, Eweka I, assumed the throne.
[41] While Eweka I's reign brought about significant changes and consolidated power, his death facilitated a smooth transition of authority within the Benin Dynasty.
His reign heralded the end of a centuries-old system of governance, characterised by the Ogisos, and ushered in a new era marked by the authority of the Oba.
The concept of the Obaship, as defined and established by Eweka I, continues to shape the identity of the Benin Kingdom and its traditional institutions.
[43] His father's decision to renounce his own claim to the throne, citing the cultural gap between him and the people, reinforced the idea that only someone deeply rooted in the customs and heritage of Benin could effectively lead the kingdom.