Oba of Benin
/ˈoʊ.bə əv bəˈnɪn/noun
The hereditary title of the traditional ruler of the Edo Kingdom of Benin in present-day southern Nigeria.
Did you know?The modern Oba of Benin is regarded as the successor to a royal dynasty whose court produced the internationally renowned Benin Bronzes.
Etymological Timeline
Early Edo period
Edo
oba
“King or sovereign; the title used for the ruler of the Benin Kingdom.”
Medieval West Africa
Edo
Edo
“The name associated with the people, language, and kingdom centered around Benin City.”
15th–16th Century
Portuguese
Benim / Benin
“European forms used for the kingdom and its capital region after Portuguese contact; the ultimate source of the name remains debated.”
16th–19th Century
English
Kingdom of Benin
“The English name for the Edo state ruled by an Oba, renowned for its court, trade networks, and cast-metal artworks.”
20th Century
English
Oba of Benin
“The English-language form of the traditional royal title, retained after the kingdom became part of modern Nigeria.”
Modern English
English
Oba of Benin
“The recognized traditional monarch of the historic Benin Kingdom, whose royal institution continues in contemporary Nigeria.”