The (Re-)imag(in)ing of the Oba of Benin in Nigerian Dramatic Literature and its Implications in Indigenous Studies

The Benin people of Nigeria enjoy a primogeniture tradition. The Oba (King) of Benin is a cultural symbol, a spiritual icon and a political figure. The oba is a demi-god personified. In him, the Benins substantiate their unique identity. However, these images of the oba are finding a slippery terrain in contemporary times, especially in certain Nigerian dramatic literature. The 1997 centenary celebration of the British Punitive Expedition reflected this reality when the Benin people commissioned a notable playwright to (re-)enact a ‘work’ reflective of the perceived superhuman image of the Oba; in this case, Oba Ovonramwen. This obviously caused an eruption in the Nigerian theatre firmament.