A bronze head of a king (Oba) in the style of Oba Osemwende, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Oba of Benin
Reign
1816–1848
Predecessor
Ogbebo
Successor
Adolo
Born
Eredia-uwa c. 1780 Benin City, Kingdom of Benin
Died
1848 Benin City, Kingdom of Benin
Burial
Royal Cemetery, Benin City
Father
Obanosa
Osemwende (c. 1780–1848), originally known as Prince Eredia-uwa, was the thirty-third Oba of Benin who reigned from c. 1816 AD – c. 1848 AD. He was the son of Oba Obanosa and the brother of Ogbebo, whom he defeated in a civil war to claim the throne. He restored peace and stability to the kingdom after a turbulent period of succession crisis and expanded and consolidated his empire through military conquests and diplomatic alliances. He also promoted trade and commerce with foreign nations, especially the Portuguese, and fostered art and learning among his people. He was revered as a wise and benevolent ruler who brought good tidings to his kingdom.
Osemwende (c. 1780–1848), originally known as Prince Eredia-uwa, was the thirty-third Oba of Benin who reigned from c. 1816 AD – c. 1848 AD. He was the...
Oba of Benin Reign 1804 AD–1816 AD Predecessor Akengbuda Successor Ogbebo Born 1740 (1740) Issue Osemwende Ogbebo Princess Ikpoghodu Princess Uwahen...
emerged victorious in the civil conflict and assumed the title of Oba Osemwende, ending Oba Ogbebo's brief rule. Limited historical records provide insights...
16–17th century; Rietberg Museum (Zürich, Switzerland) Portrait of the king Osemwende; circa 1810; Rietberg Museum The decline of Benin art occurred at the...
back to Benin to reclaim their throne as Oba. An example of this is Oba Osemwende (1816–1848). Agba N'Ojie of Uromi's exact date of death was never confirmed...
its intended significance. The Benin Altar Tusk was commissioned by Ọba Osemwende, who reigned from 1816 to 1848, and carved by the Igbesanmwan, a royal...
Global Information