From the 17th century the Oba of Benin became more of a recluse involved manily on daily round of rituals that were meant to affirm his semi-divine status. These provided opportunity for the palace Chiefs (Eghaevbo nβogbe) to cleverly turn the Oba into a hostage of sorts.
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It became a tradition that the Oba could no longer appear in public except during the few annual ceremonies celebrated in the society. Access to his Oba was severely restricted and certain traditions were established to heighten the peoplesβ awe of their ruler.
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This made the palace chiefs to gain more power as they didn't only were responsible for the daily running of the kingdom. They became the eyes, ears & voice of the Oba. In the course of the development, the primogeniture system established by Oba Ewaure was altered.
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Instead of the tradition by which the eldest surviving son of the Oba being conferred with the title of the Edaiken (heir-aparent) & made a member of the Uzama council of Chiefs. The chief varied the practice to one in which gave them power to decide who becomes the Oba.
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With the new practice the Oba ostensibly pronounce his successor on his death bed & the Uwangue announces this after death of the Oba. This made choice of a successor the preserve of the Chiefs, who subsequently began to enthroned candidate they like or could manipulate.
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As a result the Oba-ship was rotated amongst different branches of the royal family for six reigns. Btw Oba Ahenzae (1656-1675) & Oba Ewuakpe (1701β1712). They dethroned Obas they disliked. Oba Akenkpaye (1675β1684) was dethroned on the ground that he was selfish & ruthless.
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The chiefs also enthrone usurpers such as Oba Ozuere (1712-713) & Oba Ogbebo (1816-1816), bypassing the eldest sons some because their mothers were not bini wormen. Until the burning down of Benin by the British, the Obas remained recluse with the chiefs gaining more power.
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The power of the chiefs over the Oba is evident in events that led to the death of consul Phillips in 1897. During the kangaroo trial of Oba Ovonramwen, some chiefs testified the Oba told them to allow the British officials into Benin but was overruled by majority of the chiefs.
At some time in Benin's history, the Obas were so recluse & the palace chiefs so powerful that the deaths of Obas were kept a secret for as long as 3 yrs without the Edo people knowing, during which the Iwangue who is the senior chief of the Iwebo palace society acts as the Oba.
The members of the society were in charge of European trade and diplomacy, and communicated using a secret language known as ibie, said to contain many Portuguese words.
They were indeed very powerful for a long time in Benin history.
They were indeed very powerful for a long time in Benin history.
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