The Kingdom of Benin also referred to as the Edo Kingdom or the Benin Empire, was a prominent kingdom located in what is now southern Nigeria.
This kingdom, which had no historical connection to the present-day Republic of Benin, was distinct and separate.
It was centered around the city of Edo, known today as Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria. Renowned for its rich history and advanced civilization, the Benin Kingdom emerged from the earlier Edo Kingdom of Igodomigodo in the 11th century AD and flourished as one of the most developed states in West Africa’s coastal hinterland.
However, the kingdom’s sovereignty came to an end in 1897 when it was annexed by the British Empire.
(Note that the Kingdom of Benin is not to be confused with Benin, formerly known as Dahomey)
In this SEO article, we will delve into the remarkable story of the Kingdom of Benin, exploring its rise, achievements, and ultimate encounter with colonial powers.
History
The Benin Kingdom was founded by the Edo people, who were originally ruled by the Ogiso, known as the Kings of the Sky.
The first Ogiso, Ogiso Igodo, was a beloved ruler who held significant influence. After his long reign, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Ere.
However, a palace conspiracy unfolded in the 12th century, leading to the sentencing of the crown prince, Ekaladerhan, to death.
Merciful palace messengers set him free near Benin, where he changed his name to Izoduwa, meaning ‘I have chosen the path of prosperity.’
During this period of uncertainty, the people and kingmakers sought the banished prince, now known as Oduduwa, who had found refuge in Uhe (Ile-Ife).
However, Oduduwa, due to his advanced age, could not return to Benin. Instead, he granted Oranmiyan, his grandson, the authority to rule over the kingdom.
Oranmiyan faced resistance from Ogiamien Irebor, one of the palace chiefs, but eventually settled in a palace built for him at Usama.
While in Benin, Oranmiyan married Erinmwinde, daughter of Ogie-Egor, and had a son. Frustrated by the situation, Oranmiyan renounced his office, expressing his belief that only a child born and educated in the land’s arts and mysteries could reign.
He arranged for his son, Eweka, to become the new king and returned to Yorubaland. However, Eweka was deaf and mute, and the elders sought Oranmiyan’s help.
Oranmiyan provided charmed seeds known as “omo ayo” and instructed them to play with them, saying it would make the child speak.
While playing, Eweka exclaimed “Owomika” (My hand has grasped it!) in Yoruba, becoming his royal name.
This tradition of the future Obas of Benin spending time at Usama and announcing their royal names at Useh was established by Eweka.
He started a dynasty that bears his name, while Oranmiyan went on to found the Oyo Empire and serve as its first Alaafin of Oyo. His descendants continue to rule in Ile-Ife, Oyo, and Benin to this day.
In the Benin Kingdom, the system of rule is by the Oba of Benin, followed by the Ogiso dynasty’s tradition.
However, the empire remained diverse and heterogeneous, with different groups maintaining their own languages and cultures. The Oba often appointed local enogies (dukes) for specific ethnic areas within the kingdom.
Kingdom of Benin during the 15th & 16th century
In the 15th century, Oba Ewuare, also known as Ewuare the Great, ascended to power and expanded the borders of the kingdom.
It was during this time that the administrative center of the kingdom started being called Ubinu, later corrupted to Bini.
Oba Ewuare transformed the city into a city-state from its previous state as a military fortress built by the Ogisos.
Under his leadership, Benin City flourished, and the kingdom expanded its influence through military campaigns.
The 16th century saw further growth under Oba Esigie, who extended the kingdom eastwards after repelling an invasion by the Igala kingdom.
Benin City became politically dominant and gained wealth through trade, particularly with the interior regions.
The city’s trade with Europeans, involving pepper, slaves, cloth, and ivory, provided additional economic benefits.
In the late 16th century, after the reign of Oba Ehengbuda, the kingdom began to decline gradually. A major civil war in the late 17th century further weakened the state.
However, in the early 18th century, Oba Ewuakpe revitalized the kingdom, restoring the authority of the Oba position and bringing prosperity. Trade with Europeans continued to contribute to Benin’s wealth during this period.
Benin developed an advanced artistic culture, known for its bronze, iron, and ivory artifacts. These included bronze wall plaques, life-sized bronze heads depicting the Obas and Iyobas of Benin, and ornate ivory carvings.
The kingdom exerted control over various tribes in the Niger Delta, as well as the Eastern Yoruba tribes.
The European Invasion
In the late 15th century, Portuguese explorers led by João Afonso de Aveiro were the first Europeans to reach Benin.
This marked the beginning of a strong trading relationship between the Edo people of Benin and the Portuguese.
The Oba (king) of Benin even sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and Portuguese Christian missionaries were welcomed in Benin City. Some residents of Benin City still spoke a simplified version of Portuguese in the 19th century.
The English also became interested in trading with Benin and sent an expedition in 1553. This led to significant trade between Europe and Benin, with ivory, palm oil, pepper, and later slaves being the main exports.
Visitors who came to Benin in the 16th and 19th centuries returned to Europe with stories of the magnificent city of Benin, ruled by a powerful king.
The Benin people were strict in their customs when it came to trade, but they were easy-going and cooperative when others respected their ways.
Britain, seeking to control trade in the region and access the kingdom’s resources, gradually established closer ties with Benin in the 19th century.
The British were particularly interested in palm oil, kola nut, ivory, and rubber resources. Attempts to establish treaties between Benin and the United Kingdom were made, eventually leading to the visit of Vice-Consul Henry Gallwey in 1892.
Gallwey’s visit resulted in the signing of the Gallwey Treaty, which aimed to increase British influence over the empire.
Economic motivations played a significant role in Britain’s actions, although some suggested humanitarian concerns also influenced their approach.
Walls of the Kingdom of Benin
The Walls of Benin is a remarkable system of earthworks found in the region around Benin City, the capital of present-day Edo, Nigeria.
These walls, known as “iya” in the local Edo language, consist of approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) of city walls and an estimated 16,000 kilometers (9,900 miles) of rural walls, possibly used for dividing lands and properties in the area.
The Guinness Book of Records has recognized the Benin City walls as the largest earthworks constructed before the use of machinery.
There are differing opinions regarding the time of construction. Some suggest that the walls were built between the 13th and mid-15th centuries CE, while others propose an earlier construction during the first millennium CE in the Esan region.
According to oral tradition and accounts from travelers, the walls were possibly constructed around 1450-1500 CE.
Estimates for the construction process vary. Some calculations propose that a workforce of 5,000 men working a 10-hour day could have completed the walls in 97 days, while others suggest it would have taken 2,421 men to work for 200 days.
However, these estimates have been criticized for not considering the time required for excavating the earth and building the high banks.
The walls of Benin City became known to Europeans around 1500 when Portuguese explorer Duarte Pacheco Pereira mentioned them in his writings.
He described the city as being surrounded by a wide and deep moat that served as its defense. Another account from Dutch explorer Dierick Ruiters around 1600 described a high and thick earth bulwark with a deep, dry ditch.
The walls were constructed using a ditch and dike system, with the ditch forming an inner moat and the excavated earth forming the outer rampart.
Today, only scattered remnants of the walls can be found in Edo, with many being repurposed by locals for construction materials.
Unfortunately, parts of the remaining walls continue to be demolished for real estate development.
Interestingly, ethnomathematician Ron Eglash has highlighted the planned layout of Benin City using fractals, a mathematical concept.
This demonstrates that the city’s organization, including its villages and even individual rooms in houses, followed a sophisticated mathematical pattern.
This reveals the advanced knowledge and planning employed by the Benin people, challenging earlier European perceptions of African architecture as disorganized or primitive.
Over centuries, Benin City experienced growth and expansion, marked by the construction of walls. The inner wall, commissioned by the ruler, was a remarkable earthen rampart stretching 11 kilometers (7 miles) and surrounded by a deep moat.
Historical estimates suggest that building such a structure would have required around 1,000 laborers working for several dry seasons.
Additionally, the city boasted broad roads and nine fortified gateways. Excavations have revealed that Benin City was already thriving between 1200 and 1300 CE.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the kingdom of Benin was a thriving and influential African civilization with a rich cultural heritage, impressive artistic achievements, and a complex socio-political structure.
From its magnificent royal palace and advanced urban planning to its thriving trade networks and diplomatic interactions with European powers, Benin’s history is a fascinating tapestry of innovation, power, and resilience.
Also read: History of Ovonramwen Nobgaisi – The Benin King who mounted resistance against British Invasion
Despite the challenges and misconceptions that have emerged over time, the enduring legacy of the Benin kingdom continues to shape the narrative of Africa’s diverse and dynamic past.
