The Oba of Benin, whose person was sacred, controlled the Kingdom of Benin, an empire surrounding the West African city of Benin (now in Nigeria), from the 15th century until 1897. A British 'Punitive Expedition' in 1897 destroyed the power of the Oba and cleared the way for the British colony of Nigeria.
Last updated: 05-17-2005 03:48:48