Omo N’Oba N’Edo Ehengbuda, the eldest son of Oba Orhogbua, ascended the Benin throne in 1578 A.D. His reign is remembered for important developments in Benin’s administrative structure, diplomatic relations, and enduring traditions preserved through oral history. Benin tradition remembers Oba Ehengbuda as a man of extraordinary knowledge and mystical ability. According to tradition, shortly after his accession, members of the Iweguae palace society confined him in a room for several days without food or water. To their astonishment, he emerged unharmed, earning the sobriquet “Ehengbuda N’Obo” (“Ehengbuda the Doctor”). Tradition also holds that he possessed a remarkable glass through which he could see things invisible to ordinary eyes. In reality this was a telescope, reportedly presented to the Oba by the English visitor James Welsh around 1590 A.D. During his reign, Oba Ehengbuda strengthened the Benin Kingdom’s administrative system through the creation of several important titles, including Esama, Erato, Ohenika, Ezele, Ukoniwebo, Ukoniweguae, Ukonurhoerie, and Enobore. One of the most celebrated traditions associated with his reign concerns Atakunmarha, the Owa of Ilesha. After being deposed by his subjects over accusations of tyranny, Atakunmarha sought refuge in Benin City, where Oba Ehengbuda received him with honour. The Oba summoned the elders of Ilesha to investigate the dispute, and following his intervention, Atakunmarha was restored to his throne. Before his departure, Oba Ehengbuda presented the Owa with the sacred Odigba (neck collar beads), as worn by him and some prominent Chiefs of Benin. For this he was nicknamed Arun-Aza (Orun-Aja) by his subjects the Ilesha, and it became the hereditary title of the succeeding Owas. After the departure of the Owa, one of the maidservants attached to one of the Oba’s wives, who had been appointed to prepare food for him, gave birth to a son. The Oba was informed of the child’s birth. As he grew, the boy became a renowned hunter, killing numerous leopards for the Oba, earning the name Udezi. His fame reached Ilesha, prompting his father, the Owa, to send gifts to the Oba and request that his son be allowed to visit him. On his return from Ilesha, Udezi was detained at Akure, where the daughter of Ajapada, the ruler of Akure, fell in love with and married him. Since Ajapada had no male heir, Udezi, known to the Akure people as Ideji, was accepted by the chiefs as his successor, with the approval of the Oba of Benin. Thus, the title Omo-Owa-Oloye-Mekun became the hereditary title of the rulers of Akure and their successors. In this reign there were two visits by English men. John Bird, Newton, Jemes Welsh and others visited Benin City in 1588 and 1590. #AncientBenin #IduDescendants #AncientBeninPlus - @ancientbenin