Eweka II | |
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Eweka II, c.1920
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Oba of Benin | |
Reign | 1914 – 1933 |
Predecessor | Ovonramwen |
Successor | Akenzua II |
Born | Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwe |
Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwe, Eweka II was the Oba of Benin from 1914 to 1933.
He was the son of Ovonramwen (ruled 1888–1897) who was deposed by the British and exiled to Calabar following the British punitive expedition in Benin City in 1897. Ovonramwen died in Calabar in January 1914 and Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwe enthroned as the Oba of Benin 24 July 1914, taking the name Eweka II after the 13th century founder of the dynasty and the first Oba of Benin Eweka I.
Eweka II rebuilt the royal compound destroyed and looted by the British in 1897, and reestablished the traditional structure of the kingdom. The royal coral regalia of Ovonramwen seized by the British was returned. Eweka II also restored the craft guilds, commissioning objects to replaces those looted by the British, and started the Benin Arts and Crafts School.
He died in February 1933.