Oba Ewuare (Ewuare the Great) was the greatest warrior legend and the most outstanding king in the history of the Benin Empire. Ewuare (Oworuare), means "it is cool, or the trouble has ceased, and as a result the war is over." The title symbolizes an epoch of reconciliation, reconstruction and the return of peace among the warring factions in Benin between 1435–1440 AD.
Oba Ewuare ruled the Benin kingdom between 1440–1473 AD. His rule is also cited as extending to 1480.[1] His reign marked the beginning of recovery and reform which opened up the pathway to the power and advancement of the Benin(Edo) Kingdom and the emergence of the Benin Empire as one of the leading nations in West Africa in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Ewuare’s political intelligence is credited with transforming the character of the nations along its quest for imperial expansion.[2] Ewuare is responsible for territorial expansion of Benin, with assertions that he marched against and subdued 201 villages in southern Nigeria.[3] Coastal trade with the Portuguese, who came into contact with Ewuare toward the end of his reign, provided increased wealth for Ewuare and resulted in the introduction of new weaponry, such as the crossbow.[4]
Oba Ewuare's quest for the expansion of the Edo territories, was due to his encounters with various Edo clans scattered around the southern part of Nigeria. His campaign was aimed at reuniting the various migrants and runaways who had formed smaller settlements and camps around the south Niger area and beyond. This led to his campaign to conquer all resistance against this goal, employing all methods neccessary to achieve this, and the unity of the many Edo speaking people in west Africa led to the increased might of the Edo nation which historians and scholars alike now refer to as the Benin Empire. Ewuare's motivation for military conquest could be witnessed with the naming of the entire nation as Edo (after the slave who saved his life prior to his ascension as Oba) and indeed the renaming of the capital city (which all Edo speaking people of the old Benin empire sited as there origin) from Ubini (ogu fugu, igodomigo, lie-ibinu) to Edo n'evno ahirre (Edo, the city of Love), this name for the capital city was motivated by the act of kindness exhibited by the deified slave, for it is only a heart of love that could motivate a slave to defy his master to save the future king. Indeed, it is evidenced from the naming of the capital city and the entire nation as Edo. We can admit that Oba Ewuare's goal for emperial expansion was simply motivated by the need for peace, growth and strength of the Edo people, a dream which was achieved and bore the great Benin Empire.
Oba Ewuare, before his ascension as king, had spent many years in the forest traveling around the sub-Saharan part of Africa and his experience as a great traveller is credited for being the force behind his great transformation of the Edo nation and the Capital city. Before his ascension as Oba, Prince Ogun( which was his first name) had gained recognition as a great warrior, entrepreneur among many tribes in the Southern Niger part of Niger and after his ascension, this reputation and relationship between many tribes followed him and helped in establishing his legend beyond the borders of the great Edo Nation ( Benin Empire). Many tribes especially tribes in present Ekiti state had consulted him for support during military struggles and this special relationship between the Oba and the Ekitis was still retained till 1897, after which the British colonials did everything possible to severe the relationship between Benin and other towns & dukedoms in the former Edo Empire. The legend of Ogun ( Oba Ewuare ) is still remembered by all under the umbrella of the Edo Nation ( former Benin Empire) some with awe, some with reverence and some with fear and resentment. His reputation led to his deification as Ogun: god of iron, entrepreneurship and war who is worshipped all over black Africa, Brazil, North America and beyond.
Oba Ewuare is credited as the founder of a number of festival including the Igue festival, which is still celebrated in the Benin Kingdom of Edo State in Nigeria.[5] He is also said to have founded the Ugie Erha Ọba festival which honoured the royal ancestors.[6]