# Ohuede

Ohuede (c. 1054 – c. 1112) was the twenty-seventh ogiso (king) of Igodomigodo, an early historical state later incorporated into the Benin Empire. He ruled from about c. 1110 until his death and established what became known as the Ohuede dynasty. His installation as Ogiso occurred around c. 1110, following the death of Ehenneden without a clear successor. His rule lasted two years, ending with the accession of his son, Oduwa, in c. 1112. His reign faced economic challenges, governance difficulties, and efforts to clarify dynastic succession laws.

## Background and ascension

Ohuede was born around 1054 in Ihinmwirin, a region within Igodomigodo (modern-day Benin Kingdom). He was the okaegbe ("family head") of Oriagba's lineage and a distant relative of Ehenneden. He had reached the Edionevbo age grade but had not yet attained the rank of Odionwere. His father, Oboite, was the younger sibling of Ogiso Odoligie and a descendant of Ogiso Oriagba. Following the death of Ogiso Ehenneden without an heir, the Edionnisen ("kingmakers") traced the lineage back to Oboite and selected Ohuede as the next ruler.
At his appointment, Ohuede was 56 years old and held the title of Senior Noble within the Royal Council representing Ihinmwirin. His age and noble status contributed to his selection, though questions persisted regarding the legitimacy of his claim. Rather than aligning with the Oriagba dynasty, he sought to establish his own ruling lineage, later recognised as the Ohuede dynasty.
The Ughoron ("royal bards") recorded his ascension with the following verse:
Ohuede n e lhinmwirin, Ovbi Oboite ne itoto, Q muu ada Ogiso dien egbee, Egbee Oriagba ne o kiei neren.
Ohuede of Ihinmwirin,
Son of Oboite, the peaceful,
He superposed his crown upon his kin,
Oriagba's kins that paved his birth.

## Reign and government

Upon ascending the throne, Ohuede inherited a kingdom facing economic struggles. One of his initiatives was the establishment of Ugbo Owinna ("workers' farms"), intended to provide land for artisans and craftsmen to support themselves. This aimed to reduce reliance on farming and encourage specialisation in trades.
Ohuede, however, demonstrated limited interest in governance. He preferred personal leisure and agriculture, frequently retreating to his estate or engaging in pastimes like smoking his long pipe. His absence from court weakened central authority, allowing Enigie ("regional rulers") to exercise greater autonomy. Trade also declined due to taxation imposed by local rulers and instability in North African trade caused by conflict and banditry.
A notable but controversial proposal during his reign was the extension of primogeniture laws to allow female succession in the absence of a male heir. The idea faced strong opposition from the Senior Nobles, who considered it unorthodox. The resistance to female rule persisted, as later seen when Oba Ewuare's attempt to name his daughter, Edeleyo, as successor met similar rejection.

## Death and succession

Ohuede died in 1112 AD, ending his brief reign. He was succeeded by his seventh son, Idugioduwa, who became Ogiso Oduwa, ruling from approximately c. 1112 – c. 1119. Oduwa's accession proceeded without dispute, reinforcing the hereditary nature of the monarchy. Of Ohuede's seven children, six had died before his accession, leading to superstitions about his lineage. The Ihinmwirin community accused Idugioduwa's mother of sorcery through traditional divinations, resulting in her expulsion. Idugioduwa was subsequently raised by his uncle Igbinidu, an ironsmith in Ugboha, a city in the kingdom.

## Legacy

Ohuede's legacy remains debated. Some view his reign as a key transition in the Ogiso monarchy, while others see it as a period of decline. His stance on succession laws influenced later debates on hereditary rule. The Ohuede dynasty was the shortest-lived Ogiso lineage, lasting only two decades before the transition to the Eweka dynasty. Ohuede upheld the Delaiso royal salute custom, introduced by Ogiso Igodo. The salute, meaning "the king from the sky," had been a longstanding tradition among the Ogiso rulers.