The Kingdom of Benin

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Apuntes de la lección

Introduction to the Kingdom of Benin

  • The Kingdom of Benin was a powerful state in what is now southern Nigeria.
  • It was also known as the Empire of Benin or Great Benin.
  • It has no connection to the modern country called Benin, which was formerly Dahomey.
  • The capital was Edo, now called Benin City, in Edo State, Nigeria.
  • It was one of the oldest and most developed states in coastal West Africa.
  • It grew from the earlier Edo Kingdom of Igodomigodo around the 11th century AD.
  • It was annexed by the British Empire in 1897 but continued as a non-sovereign monarchy.

Origins and Early Settlement

  • Ancient ancestors of the Edo people may have lived in the Sahara during its wet period before migrating south.
  • The movement of Proto-Edoid peoples to West Africa may be linked to the spread of Sahel agriculture after the Sahara dried up around 3500 BCE.
  • By the 1st century BC, the Benin territory was partly agricultural.
  • By around AD 500, it was mainly agricultural, though hunting and gathering remained important.
  • Also by AD 500, the inhabitants used iron.

Igodomigodo (900–1180 CE)

  • Igodomigodo was the earliest organised state in the region, formed in the late 1st millennium CE.
  • Its ruler was called the Ogiso, meaning 'ruler of the sky'.
  • The Ogiso established many cultural and social traditions that shaped Benin.
  • Igodomigodo means 'town of Igodo' and was the first capital.
  • It was built in a dense forest with narrow paths, making it easy to defend.
  • The rainforest provided resources like fish, animals, leaves for roofing, plants for medicine, ivory, and wood.
  • Domesticated animals could not survive at first due to tsetse fly disease, but later some like cattle and goats developed resistance.

Ile-Ibinu and the Rise of the Oba (1180–1255 CE)

  • By the early 13th century, Ogiso Owodo was overthrown after a troubled reign.
  • Evian, a powerful earth-priest, was chosen as head of state.
  • Evian tried to make his son Ogiamwen the next ruler, but the ruling council of chiefs refused.
  • The council asked a prince from Ile-Ife to restore order and legitimacy.
  • According to official tradition, Oranmiyan, son of Oduduwa, accepted and became the first Oba of Benin.
  • Another tradition claims the first Oba was not Yoruba but a descendant of Ogiso Owodo, though historians see this as a later invention.
  • Oranmiyan struggled with local politics, married a local chief's daughter, and had a son, Eweka.
  • Oranmiyan abdicated in favour of Eweka, saying only a native could rule effectively.
  • Eweka was crowned Oba around 1200, with royal regalia sent from Ife.

Benin City and Its Walls

  • The capital, Edo (Benin City), was a large and well-planned city.
  • It was surrounded by extensive earthworks and walls, which impressed European visitors.
  • The walls were built for defence and to mark the city's boundaries.
  • The city was a centre of trade, craft, and royal administration.
  • Its layout reflected the power and organisation of the Oba and his chiefs.

Trade and European Contact

  • In the 15th and 16th centuries, Benin reached its height of prosperity.
  • It expanded its territory and traded with European powers, especially the Portuguese.
  • Benin traded goods such as ivory, pepper, palm oil, and cloth.
  • In return, Europeans brought brass, copper, and other goods.
  • Trade brought wealth and helped Benin develop its famous art.

The Benin Bronzes and Art

  • Benin is famous for its remarkable artworks in cast bronze, iron, brass, carved ivory, and other materials.
  • The Benin Bronzes are a collection of plaques, sculptures, and other objects made from brass and bronze.
  • They were created for the royal palace and depict Obas, chiefs, warriors, and historical events.
  • They show the skill of Benin craftsmen and tell historians about Benin's history, culture, and religion.
  • The bronzes also show the wealth and power of the Oba and the kingdom.

The British Punitive Expedition of 1897

  • In 1897, a British force launched a punitive expedition against Benin.
  • The British captured Benin City, exiled the Oba, and annexed the kingdom.
  • During the expedition, thousands of Benin Bronzes and other artworks were taken.
  • These objects were later sold and ended up in museums and collections around the world.
  • The expedition marked the end of Benin as an independent kingdom.

Debates About Returning the Bronzes

  • There is ongoing debate about whether the Benin Bronzes should be returned to Nigeria.
  • Many argue that the bronzes were looted and should be given back.
  • Others argue that they are part of world heritage and should remain in museums.
  • Some museums have agreed to return objects or discuss their return.
  • The debate raises questions about colonialism, cultural heritage, and justice.

Diapositivas

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Preguntas de práctica

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  1. 1.What was the capital of the Kingdom of Benin?

    Easy
    • AEdo (now Benin City)
    • BIle-Ife
    • CDahomey
    • DIgodomigodo
  2. 2.In the Kingdom of Benin, what title was given to the ruler?

    Easy
    • AOba
    • BOgiso
    • COnogie
    • DOkaevbo
  3. 3.Which kingdom immediately preceded the Kingdom of Benin and had rulers called Ogiso?

    Easy
    • AIgodomigodo
    • BIle-Ibinu
    • CDahomey
    • DIle-Ife
  4. 4.According to the 'official' tradition, who arrived from Ile-Ife and became the first Oba of Benin?

    Medium
    • AOranmiyan
    • BEweka
    • COgiamwen
    • DEvian
  5. 5.Which people were the first rulers of Igodomigodo, before the title 'Oba' was used?

    Medium
    • AThe Ogiso
    • BThe Edionevbo
    • CThe Efa
    • DThe Yoruba
  6. 6.Why was the rainforest a helpful location for the early capital of Igodomigodo?

    Medium
    • AIts dense vegetation and narrow paths made the city easy to defend
    • BIt provided open land for large-scale cattle farming
    • CIt allowed the city to trade directly with Europeans by sea
    • DIt supplied stone for building strong walls
  7. 7.When did the Kingdom of Benin reach the height of its prosperity?

    Medium
    • AIn the 15th and 16th centuries
    • BIn the 11th century
    • CIn the 13th century
    • DIn the 19th century
  8. 8.Which European power did the Kingdom of Benin trade with in the 15th and 16th centuries?

    Medium
    • APortugal
    • BBritain
    • CSpain
    • DFrance

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