Edo State, The Oba Empire of the Bini Kingdom

Edo State, one of the oldest cities in Nigeria (and especially in the Bini Kingdom) is recognized both nationally and internationally as a stronghold and citadel of cultural and traditional heritage. The state is one of the richest art shops in Africa. This is explained when artifacts from the region are displayed.

Benin City, city in southern Nigeria, capital of Edo State, on the banks of the Benin River. The city is connected by road to Lagos, Onitsha and the western Niger Delta. Benin City is the center of a prosperous region producing rubber, palm oil, yams, cassava, maize and timber. Its industries include rubber processing, sawmilling, and brewing. Benin City is the site of a museum famous for its large collection of ancient carvings and other local decorative arts. The University of Benin (1970) is also located here.

Historically an important center for the ivory and pepper trade, Benin City was the center of the powerful Kingdom of Benin from before the 15th century until the late 19th century. Benin artisans were noted for wood and ivory carving and bronze casting. European visitors in the 15th century were awed by the architecture and physical layout of Benin City, comparing it favorably to the best cities in Europe. Much of Benin City’s artistic heritage was lost in 1897 when the British captured the city and seized much of its artwork.

Kingdom of Benin, a West African state that flourished between the 15th and 17th centuries. Its capital was Benin City, in what is now Nigeria. Founded by the Edo or Bini people in the 12th century, it was ruled by a line of kings (obas) who were originally war leaders but later assumed a more religious character. The extent of the kingdom is uncertain, but it probably controlled most of southern Nigeria at its height.

One of Benin’s most influential obas was Ewuare, who ruled the kingdom from about 1440 to 1470. Ewuare dramatically increased the territory controlled by the kingdom, strengthened the central government, and established a primogeniture system under which the title of oba would pass. From father to son. He is also believed to have commissioned a series of fortifications that surrounded the capital city.

During the reign of Ewuare’s son Ozolua, who served as oba from about 1480 to 1504, Benin developed mutually beneficial trade and diplomatic relations with Portugal. Some evidence suggests that Ozolua’s son and successor, Esigie, may have spoken and read Portuguese. From the 16th to the 18th century, the kingdom traded with European merchants in palm oil, ivory, pepper, and textiles. Benin was also involved in the slave trade, although after the early 16th century the king allowed only female slaves to be exported. In the 18th century, French, Portuguese, and Dutch traders opened ports and trading posts along the Benin coast, trading weapons for slaves.

As patrons of the arts, the obas sponsored the creation of some of Benin’s most famous works of art. Brass bas-reliefs, which originally hung on the palace walls, depict scenes from court life of the obas. The kingdom’s traditional bronze ceremonial jewelry, which was cast by hand and highly detailed, is considered one of the finest achievements of African art.

The power of the Kingdom of Benin declined in the 18th and 19th centuries. The country was annexed by British Nigeria in 1897, became a French West African colony in 1904, and finally regained independence as the Republic of Benin in 1960. Despite these changes, the obas still perform administrative and ceremonial functions until The 21st century.

Edo State has many tourist sites of cultural, historical and artistic values ​​in many local government areas of the state. Senator (Prof.) Osunbor realizes the importance of tourism and tourist sites and maintains that only a properly focused and results oriented State Board of Tourism will drive the foremost of the abundant tourism potentialities into the public consciousness.

Take a tour to visit the ancient kingdom. The empire of oba bini, where you will enjoy your tour.