An Oba was the traditional ruler of the Edo people situated in what today is Nigeria. The oba was the head of the state until the empire´s annexation by the British.
The most significant Oba of the mid-1400s was Ewuare I, also known as Eware the Great. He became king after a violent coup against his brother. He rebuilt much of the city of Benin, destroyed because of the coup. And also expanded the territory of the kingdom. He is regarded as the first King of the Benin Empire.
