Who is the oba of benin kingdom in nigeria and why is he so important to. Precolonial political administration of the benin empire. They lacked armor on the lower half of their body because that was covered by the chariot. Great benin is known around the world for its supurb artwork. The ancient benin homeland not to be confused with the modernday and unrelated republic of benin, which was then known as dahomey has been and continues to be mostly populated by the edo also known as benin ethnic group. The dahomey amazons were frontline soldiers in the army of the kingdom of dahomey, a west african empire that existed from 1625 to 1894. Benin empire edo empire 1400 1960 nigeria is a large state in western africa which opens out onto the south atlantic ocean. The benin massacre of 1897 was a punitive expedition by a united kingdom force of 1,200 under admiral sir harry rawson in response to the ambush of a previous britishled party under acting consul general james philips which had left all but two men dead. Africa benin the world factbook central intelligence. Then the next location sees the fire and lights their own, continuing the message to the next location. Ewuare became king in a violent coup against his brother uwaifiokun which destroyed much of benin city. The rise and fall of a mighty forest kingdom roese, peter m.
The benin empire was a precolonial empire located in what is now southern nigeria. Rawsons troops captured, burned and looted benin city, bringing to an end the west african kingdom of benin. Jul 24, 20 one of the most important events in the recent history of nigeria was the fall of the benin empire. The book is an important examination of the phenomenon of african. Benin city, nigeria a wooden staff thumps on the landing in front of the temporary palace. Other countries desired benins impressive arts and crafts as well as the exotic crops produced by its farmers. Queen mother pendant mask iyoba edo peoples benin plaques at the british museum. The benin bronzes depict them with various swords and guns, but exactly what types of weapons. Benin, one of the principal historic kingdoms of the western african forest region fl. It began in bce times and was not conquered until the 1800s by the british.
Feel free to submit interesting articles, tell us about this cool book you just read, or start a discussion about who everyones favorite figure of minor. Formed in the th century ce as a state proper, the. The kingdom of benin has produced some of the most renowned examples of african art. May 30, 2018 the oyo and benin empires demise arent connected, apart from sharing similar economic and social factors. The passages from such books or maps used are identified in all my. Royal arts of a west african kingdom art institute of chicago. The people developed some unique things as their civilization developed. Tradition asserts that the edo people became dissatisfied with the rule of a dynasty of semimythical kings, the ogisos, and in the th century they invited prince oranmiyan of ife to rule them. The kingdom came to a sudden end in 1897, when a british army invaded and made it part of the british.
After the war, ewuare rebuilt much of the city of benin, reformed political structures in the kingdom, greatly expanded the territory of the. Lagos was in fact founded by a benin army and continued to pay tribute to the oba of benin until the end of the 19th century. Felix roths account of the benin punitive expedition, as reported in the book. Aisiens encounter with the british army in ologbo was probably the episode which was cryptically referred to in dr. The ancient kingdom of benin began around ad900 although some sources suggest much earlier dates. Ife, which flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries, emerged as a major power in the forested areas west of the niger and south of edo pendant maskedo pendant mask of the queen. The passages from such books or maps used are identified in all my references. At least there was no record of history of any transaction between father and son.
The fascinating kingdom of benin ancient africa for kids. The flag is believed to have been brought to the united kingdom by admiral f. Mar 5, 20 opia benin empires knightly sword, the opia, was held by high ranking officers of the army. Most of the people within the benin empire were edo. The oyo and benin empires demise arent connected, apart from sharing similar economic and social factors. When fully mobilized, the benin army was capable of mustering 30,000 to 50,000 men, usually organized in nine brigades. Command structure of the benin army in the 19th century 192 20.
The image, which shows the coast of benin on 22 october 2010, uses a combination of infrared and visible light to increase the contrast between water and land. The alleged flag of the kingdom of benin is an unidentified west african flag which was discovered in the territory of the former kingdom of benin. Republique du benin and formerly known as dahomey, is a country in west africa. Oranmiyan, the son of the oni king of ife, was sent to benin city where he wed a benin woman. Benin arose as a citystate in the late 1100s or 1200s and expanded into a larger kingdom or empire in the mid1400s.
The development of a naval force and an army helped the benin. There was however a permanent warcaptain or field marshall next in the rank to the oba. It opens with an introduction to the kingdom, court and culture of benin, which is. At about 2pm on february 18, 1897, benin city, capital of independent benin kingdom, fell to troops commanded by british officers. The use of iron and development of its technology in benin kingdom has had influences in the statebuilding process. The original flag is currently held by the national maritime museum in greenwich near london.
May 16, 2015 this is one of many videos to come that will provide detailed descriptions of various historical african states and empires that are neglected and ignored in todays society. According to tradition, at the beginning of the 17th century three brothers vied for the kingdom of allada, which, like neighbouring whydah now ouidah, had grown rich on the. Aside from benin city, the system of rule of the oba in the empire, even through the golden age of the kingdom, was still loosely based upon the ogiso dynastys tradition, which was military protection in exchange for pledged allegiance and taxes paid to the royal administrative centre. The first, or ogiso, dynasty lasted until 1170, at which time yoruba rule was imposed from the city of ife. Mar 5, 20 opia benin empire s knightly sword, the opia, was held by high ranking officers of the army. Then in 1897, the city was destroyed by british soldiers looted. After ad 1700, benin kingdom began to decrease in both wealth and power. The igbo and the benin, igala, and ijo mega states during the trans. Great benin, written by ling roth, the museum curatorbrother of dr. Roth, and published in 1903, only six years after the war.
The bonfires are located far apart from one another, but you can see the fire when its lit. The art of the kingdom of benin, not to be confused with the republic of benin, is most widely known for its bronze plaques. The history of ancient benin kingdom and empire oronsaye, daniel nabuleleorogie on. The benin empire was one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of west africa, dating perhaps to the eleventh century ce, until it was. It is entirely separate from the republic of benin, which was then known as dahomey. The details of all the battles and skirmishes during this campaign are beyond the scope of this article but will be the subject of a forthcoming book. Now, well over a hundred years later, two of those statues have been. His son eweka is regarded as the first oba, or king, of benin, though authority would remain for many years with a hereditary order of local chiefs. The kingdom of benin, located in the southern forests of west africa modern nigeria and. After the war, ewuare rebuilt much of the city of benin, reformed political structures in the kingdom, greatly expanded the territory of the kingdom, and fostered the arts and festivals. The polity later grew after the formation of the yoruba states and ruled by the ogiso dynasty, as related by oral traditions. It is not to be confused with benin, the postcolonial nation state. How and when did the benin empire and the oyo empire collapse. Yorubas living in benin republic, which was formerly dahomey, on the east side, oranmiyan never bothered benin kingdom because of his son, and his son never looked for him.
The precolonial benin kingdom or empire was located in what is today southern nigeria. The origin of benin and its early rulers kingdom of benin. The oyo empire collapsed around 1835, while the kingdom of benin was crushed by the british in 1897. Aug 18, 2018 the precolonial benin kingdom or empire was located in what is today southern nigeria. Bbc travel the legend of benins fearless female warriors. It is bordered by togo to the west, nigeria to the east, burkina faso to the northwest, and niger to the northeast. In his book, the military system of benin kingdom, 14401897, by osarhieme benson osadolor, m. Apr 25, 2017 aisiens encounter with the british army in ologbo was probably the episode which was cryptically referred to in dr. Numerous africans were sold to the new world from the benin river, one of the five slave rivers of the bight of benin. The great benin empire made remarkable achievements in those preeuropean years, in art, science, administration, technology, political organization, architectures, astronomy, town.
However, in africa, it is also known for its divine kings, mystical and magical warriors, native doctors, priests, wizards and witches. The kingdom of benin s capital was edo, now known as benin city in edo state. It should not be confused with the modernday country called benin, formerly called dahomey. Benins army was powerful and the oba enjoyed his wealthy lifestyle in the many exquisite palaces and courts of benin city. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of benin military 2020 information contained here. The benin kingdom situated in southcentral nigeria dates to approximately 900 a. Report broken link if you like our content, please share it on social media. Take a virtual tour of the permanent benin exhibit at the national museum of african art, a portion of the smithsonian institute. Normal topic hot topic more than 15 replies very hot topic more than 25 replies locked topic sticky topic poll. Jun 23, 2014 hundreds of bronze artworks created under nigerias benin empire were looted by the british army during an 1897 raid. Its authority on the guinea coast was expanding through military conquests.
This is one of many videos to come that will provide detailed descriptions of various historical african states and empires that are neglected and ignored in todays society. How and when did the benin empire and the oyo empire. The majority of its population lives on the small southern. Benin bronzes looted by the british returned to nigeria. It is bordered to the north by niger, to the east by cameroon, and to the west by the state of benin, which can cause some confusion, as nigeria itself was home to the benin empire which appeared at.
Dahomey, kingdom in western africa that flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries in the region that is now southern benin. The oba a title used for the king of benin was the theoretical and political leader of the empire with absolute authority no one dares to challenge. Late in the th century, royal power began to assert. Oba ewuare also ewuare the great or ewuare i was the king of the benin empire from 1440 until 1473. Benin empire began as a trading town, later a city, in nigeria. On the 19th and 20th, houses of major chiefs were burnt after being looted. The kingdom of benin was located near the southern coast of west africa in a region which is today southern nigeria the modern state of benin is further along the coast to the west and named after the bight of benin. In the late 15th century, the kingdom of benin located in presentday. For a number of years, the belgian armed forces have had an active programme of cooperation with benin, offering training and coaching, donating redundant military equipment and using the country for limited military exercises. From its base located in what is now nigeria, it became a large empire and by around the fifteenth century some sources say that it stretched from sierra leone to as far as congo. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers.
What made this shape so popular is its ability to slice and pull as it cuts. Heavy rains flooded parts of west and central africa in the rainy season of 2010, and among the hardesthit countries was benin. The kingdom of benin, also known as the benin kingdom, was a precolonial kingdom in what is now southern nigeria. One of the most important events in the recent history of nigeria was the fall of the benin empire. The oba of benin is the traditional ruler and the custodian of the culture of the edo people and all edoid people and head of the historic eweka dynasty of the benin kingdom. Over 50 amazing facts you never knew about the great benin. Later they began trading slaves too, providing benin with a great source of wealth. Benin was a powerful kingdom in west africa from around 0 c. The benin empire was one of the oldest and most highly developed states in.
Hundreds of bronze artworks created under nigerias benin empire were looted by the british army during an 1897 raid. There are an estimated 2,400 to 4,000 known objects including 300 bronze heads, elephant tusks, and 850 relief plaques. The guinness book of records 1974 edition described the walls of benin. This study introduces the concept military system, discusses problems of sources. Unlike a yoruba king, he was not bounded by the constitution or laws of the land. This blade style was frequently found in west and central africa. Its remnants lie in modernday benin, which occupies a. The empire of benin and its cultural heritage revealing. Great benin is an african kingdom that at its height was a vast empire that streched across western africa. See more ideas about africa, african and west africa. Edo warriors from the benin empire nigeria more from the benin empire mali empire west africa sudanese armor croco.
The history of the great benin empire as a nation is the record of a state that was established 2300yrs before any contact was made with european inferior nation. The benin kingdom was one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of west africa, it was formed around. Opia benin empires knightly sword, the opia, was held by. The ancient benin homeland not to be confused with the modernday and unrelated republic of benin, which was then known as dahomey has been and continues to be mostly. Benin s army was powerful and the oba enjoyed his wealthy lifestyle in the many exquisite palaces and courts of benin city. The benin empire was a precolonial empire located in what is. Benin kingdom continued to progress and oyo empire continued to expand to the west coast. The kingdom of benin, also known as the benin kingdom, was a precolonial kingdom in what.
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