AFRICA IS A UNIQUE CONTINENT AND VAST IN CULTURES AND TRADITIONS!
AMONG ARE THE MOST POPULAR AND ARTISTIC PEOPLE FROM NIGERIA THAT BUILT THE PRE-COLONIAL ANCIENT AND POWERFUL BENIN KINGDOM!
The Benin kingdom is one of the oldest kingdom in Nigeria and holds a lot of history, culture and thus mystery. Unfortunately, while it is regarded as metropolitan, it is yet to measure up to other kingdom / cities in the country in terms of fun day activities, nightlife and amenities. There are however certain experiences that are unique to Benin and make it a treasure destination for visitors from all around the world.
THE EDO PEOPLE!
The Edo people are the ancient Kwa language speaking ethnic groups who occupy South/Mi Western Nigeria now called Edo State. The Edo Binin speaking ethnic groups include the Esan , Afemai, the Isoko , the Urhobo among others. They are the descendants of the people who founded ancient and mighty Benin Empire. The generic “Edo,” therefore refers to these peoples who shared historical origin as well as political and cultural similarities. These peoples are called the Edoid peoples.
The Edo people pride themselves on their weal history and civilization . The arts of Benin King are global brand . Benin artifacts are among th most exquisite and coveted in world’s history which represents the earliest civilization amon blacks, specifically Africans The Benin Kingdom the fourth earliest known civilization recorded historians, archaeologists and anthropologists.
Myth ( Creation)
The mythical story of creation says that Edo is the candle of the world (“Edo ore Isi Agbon”) say that when God Almighty was creating the world, he also created the king who was to rule various parts of the world. This is the origin of saying that “Oba Yan Oto Se Evbo Ebo” meaning that the Oba owns the land up to the European country.
MYTHOLOGY!
According to Prince Edu Agharese Akenzua , the Enogie of Obazuwa -Iko , near Benin , Edo State “Mythology tells us that kingship in Benin is a as time; it was there at the time of creation when OSAN OBUWA ( God, the Creator ) finished creation. He decided to send his sons to live on earth. Before they departed , He asked each one to ta along a talent or a gift. Among the talents were wealth, knowledge wisdom and an old snail shell. One of the sons chose wealth, another knowledge , and another wisdom. When the youngest was to choose, only the old snail shell and a couple of nondescript items were left. As he wondered which to take, a hornbill emerged and whispered to him to choose the dirty old shell. What would he do with an old snail shell but he obeyed the hornbill and told OSAN OBUWA he wanted the shell. They set forth on their journey, each in his boat . They arrived at their destination and found it was water . The boats could not berth . The hornbill appeared again a told him to pour the shell’s content into the water. As he did so , the water solidified : land emerge and rolled forth into the distance. He anchored boat and stepped onto TERRA FIRMER.
OSA N’BUWA was impressed by the intuition which made his youngest son choose the shell. God named the land EDO and made him king over his Edo kids. The other brothers could not find a place to an their boats and settle down . They offered part their talents to their younger brother in exchange for a place to settle. Thus the Oba of EDO became the owner of all land on earth. To this day, a snail shell containing medicinal earth forms an important and integral part of the coronation ring of the Oba of Benin. The story we have just shared is told and retold to every royal child.”
Queen Mother Pendant Mask : Iyoba , 16th cent Nigeria ; Edo peoples , court of Benin Ivory, iron , copper (Among the most celebrated masterpieces of African art , this pendant is at once a prestige object worn by the king on ceremonial occasion and the portrait of an important historical figure the court of Benin . The preciousness of the material and the refinement of the carving indic that it was created by the exclusive guild of royal ivory carvers for the king. Framed by an elegant tiara- like coiffure and openwork collar, this likeness of an Edo royal woman is in fact a portrait of Idia , mother and close advisor to one of Benin’ s greatest leader Esigie, who ruled in the early sixteenth century Esigie honored Idia for helping to secure his cl to the throne and for the wise counsel that she provided him throughout his reign.
QUEEN MOTHER PENDANT MASK “IYOBA”!
As a consequence of Idia’s role, the title of Queen Mother ( Iyoba ) was introduced to the Benin court granting the mother of the oba (king ) equal authority to that of senior town chiefs. The miniature motifs of Portuguese faces depict along the summit make reference to the extraordinary wealth generated in the Benin kingdom in the sixteenth century through trade with the Portuguese. Since the Portuguese arrived by sea , generated local wealth, and have white skin, they were immediately connected to Olokun god of the sea, who is associated with the colour white. Additionally, Olokun is linked to purity , the world of the dead , and fertility. The mudfish which alternates with the Portuguese faces , is of the primary symbols of Benin kingship. It is associated with the qualities of aggressiveness liminality due to its ferocious electric sting and ability to survive in water and on land .
The hollowed back of this work suggests that i was both a pendant and a receptacle , possibly containing medicines to protect the king while worn during ceremonial occasions.
Given the scale of this artifact and the inclusion suspension lugs above and below the ears , it appears likely that it was worn suspended as pectoral. Recent ritual practices , however, suggest that related works may alternatively have been worn at the king ‘s waist.
A TOUR OF THE OBA’S PALACE!
The Oba’s palace is a prominent location and is right in the centre of the city, very close to the King’s Square popularly called Ring road in Benin City. Its unique traditional architecture and works of arts dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries is centrally located. Anyone who knows the Kingdom properly knows that the palace is regarded as one of the greatest museums in the world because it still holds a large collection of royal court arts, scriptural pieces of past Obas in bronze and ivory and ancestral shrines. A visit will allow you a chance to see first-hand, a major memento of Africa’s ancient history.
EDO CULTURAL DISPLAY!
There are many traditional dances and masquerades display in Edo state of which some belong to royalty and only performed at the king palace, while others are attributed to ritials, celebrations, rite of passage and cults etc
EDO MASQUERADE DISPLAY!
Edo Traditional Royal Dancers!
Edo woman wearing their traditional attire and beads!
OBA EWEKA II ( OBA OF BENIN FROM 1914 – 1933)
OBA AKENZUA II ( OBA OF BENIN FROM 1933 – 1978)
OBA EREDIAUWA ( OBA OF BENIN FROM 1978 TO DATE)
CORAL BEADS AND CLOTH REGALIA FOR OBA
AFTERMATH OF THE PUNITIVE EXPEDITION
Brass plaque showing the Oba of Benin with attendants, 16th century
