Uwakhuahen

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Uwakhuahen was the second Oba (king) of Benin, ruling from 1235 to 1243 AD. He was the son of Eweka I, who started the Oba dynasty. After Eweka I died, the Uzama (the royal advisers) chose one of his sons to become Oba. They favored Uwakhuahen over his elder brother Idu, who should have inherited by primogeniture.

To justify their choice, the Uzama set a test: Idu was asked to fetch a cow with a bird’s nest on its head for their father’s funeral. Idu went to his mother’s village to get a cow. Meanwhile, Uwakhuahen brought a cow and tied a bird’s nest to its horn, presenting it to the elders. They instantly proclaimed him Oba. Idu protested and threatened war, gaining support from maternal relatives and many elders who wanted to right what they saw as a wrong.

To avoid conflict, the elders split the kingdom: Idu received the southeast region and founded the kingdom of Ugu, with Umoghumwun as its capital. He became Oba n’Ugu (king of Ugu) and started the Ugu dynasty.

Uwakhuahen ruled for eight years and died in 1243 without children. He was succeeded by his younger brother Ehenmihen, the third son of Eweka I. Uwakhuahen is remembered as the second Oba of Benin and the brother of Idu, who began the Ugu kingdom. He is also said to have established the Egharevba title, an important Benin honor. Some accounts say he built a palace at Uselu, later the home of the crown prince (Edaiken).