Udagbedo

Born as the second son of {{lang|bin|Oba}} Oguola, Udagbedo ascended to the throne following the death of his elder brother, Edoni. He was inaugurated as {{lang|bin|Oba}} circa 1299.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=11}} He acquired a reputation for his bravery, industriousness, and compassionate character.{{sfn|Eweka|1992|p=19}}{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=11}}

Throughout his rule, Udagbedo actively promoted agriculture during a period marked by expansion in farming.{{sfn|Eweka|1992|p=19}}{{sfn|Walker|2006|p=336}} Concurrently, Benin maintained trade networks with states in the Sahara, exchanging ivory, pepper, and cotton textiles for horses and copper.{{sfn|Walker|2006|p=336}} Although his reign occurred before direct contact with Europeans, his economic policies laid the foundation for later trade with Portugal and other European powers in the 15th century.{{sfn|Walker|2006|p=336}}

Udagbedo’s tenure also marked a turning point in Benin’s territorial expansion. Circa 1300, a migration of the Ga people from Benin to Accra, present-day Ghana, is recorded.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=12}}{{sfn|Egharevba|1947|p=11}} By 1334, his rule had extended Benin's influence into the Ga region. Some scholars contend that the inclusion of outlying, independent regions into Benin’s domain signifies the early formation of an empire.{{sfn|Association of African Historians|1998|p=41}} Urhobo communities also emigrated during this period and settled in the Kwale district.{{sfn|Owonaro|1949|p=95}}

An internal conflict emerged over funerary customs during his reign. Benin tradition dictated that only the reigning {{lang|bin|Oba}} could be interred in the {{lang|bin|Ogbe}} ("palace sector"). However, a nobleman named Agbodo defied this rule by insisting he be buried at his residence within Ogbe.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=12}} After his death, Agbodo’s sons conducted a ritual in which they placed a magical stone upon his chest, causing his body to sink into the ground.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=12}} In response to this breach of custom, Udagbedo ordered an excavation; however, Agbodo’s remains were never recovered, and a pond eventually formed at the site, later known as {{lang|bin|Agbodo}} pond.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=12}}

In the 15th century, the sons of {{lang|bin|Oba}} Ozolua—namely Ogidogbo, Esigie, and Aruanran—used this pond as a test of strength by attempting to leap across it.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=12}} Between 1935 and 1937, {{lang|bin|Oba}} Akenzua II oversaw the filling of the pond, which had long stood as a historical landmark. A decade later, in 1949, the site became home to the Benin Divisional Council Public Works Department.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=12}}

Under Udagbedo's rule, Benin's artisans developed their ivory carving techniques. Some of their carvings—including depictions of Portuguese coats of arms and Christian symbols—were later collected by European royalty, like the Medici family and Augustus of Saxony.{{sfn|Walker|2006|p=336}}

Udagbedo is recorded to have had at least one child, Princess Omorefe, who was united in marriage through a customary royal ceremony with the {{lang|bin|Iyase}} ("prime minister") of Benin.{{sfn|Egharevba|1947|p=11}}

{{lang|bin|Oba}} Udagbedo's reign continued until approximately 1334, when he died.{{sfn|Walker|2006|p=336}} He was succeeded by his brother, Ohen, who was the third son of Oguola.{{sfn|Egharevba|1968|p=12}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}

• {{cite book |last=Egharevba |first=Jacob Uwadiae |author-link=Jacob Egharevba |title=A Short History of Benin |date=1968 |publisher=C.M.S. Press |isbn=9789781212390}}
• {{cite book |last=Egharevba |first=Jacob Uwadiae |title=Concise Lives of the Famous Iyases of Benin |publisher=Temi-Asunwon |year=1947 |oclc=25943755}}
• {{cite book |author=Association of African Historians |title=Afrika Zamani |publisher=Association des historiens africains |issue=nos. 4-10 |year=1998 |issn=0257-5760 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TswtAQAAIAAJ |access-date=5 March 2025}}
• {{cite book | last=Walker | first=Robin | title=When We Ruled: The Ancient and Mediæval History of Black Civilisations | publisher=Every Generation Media | date=2006 | isbn=978-0-9551068-0-4}}
• {{cite book | last=Eweka | first=Enawekponmwen Basimi | title=The Benin Monarchy: Origin and Development | publisher=Suben Printers | year=1992 | oclc=37277111}}
• {{cite book | last=Owonaro | first=S.K. | title=The History of Ijo (Ijaw) and Her Neighbouring Tribes in Nigeria | publisher=Niger Printing Works | year=1949 | oclc=15044195}}

{{refend}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-hou|||Unknown||1334}}

{{s-reg|}}

{{s-break}}

{{S-bef|before= Edoni}}

{{s-ttl

| title = {{lang|bin|Oba}} of Benin

| years = {{c.|1299|1334}}

}}

{{s-aft

| after = Ohen

}}

{{s-end}}

{{Obas of Benin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Udagbedo}}

Category:Obas of Benin

Category:1334 deaths

Category:13th-century monarchs in Africa

Category:14th-century monarchs in Africa

Category:People from Benin City