Topic- Ancient Empires

Lesson objectives
To be able to
• Give an account of the origin, rise and fall of
the Benin Empire and accentuate the role of
the ruler.

• Explain the culture and system of governance

in the Benin Empire.
 Preamble

• West Africa has a very rich history and

tradition. There were kingdoms that existed
before the advent of colonialism.
• These are: Benin, Asante, Oyo and Kanem-
Bornu kingdoms and they were well organized.
• Most of them fell because of internal and
external conflict.
What can you see in this video clip?
Today’s
Focus:
Benin
Kingdom.
Introduction
• The Benin kingdom is in southwest of Nigeria. It was one of
the wealthiest and developed in old Africa.

• It was formed around the 11th century AD and lasted until

it was annexed by the British Empire in 1897.

• They believed that Osanobua sent his younger son to rule

earth and that the 1st kings of Bini called Ogiso (ruler of
sky) were divine in nature.
Structure
• The Kingdom of
Benin's capital
was Edo, now
known as Benin
City in Edo state
and the king was
known as oba.
The kingdom had great walls around
the city preventing invaders.

They traded in ivory and timber to

Hausas.

The 1st Europeans to get to Benin

were the Portuguese explorers in
1485 while the British came in 1553.
Culture
• The Benn Kingdom
was known for its
art and sculptures
which can be
found in many
museums.
 •Some
Elders
being made
chiefs.

Culture Contd…
Decline of the Kingdom
• When people in Benin discovered Britain's true intentions
were an invasion to depose the king of Benin, without
approval from the king his generals ordered a preemptive
attack on the British party approaching Benin City, including
eight unknowing British representatives, who were killed.

• A punitive expedition was launched in 1897. The British

force, under the command of Admiral Sir Harry Rawson,
razed and burned the city, destroying much of the country's
treasured art and dispersing nearly all that remained.
Decline Contd…
• The stolen portrait figures, busts, and groups created in
iron, carved ivory, and especially in brass (conventionally
called the "Benin Bronzes") were removed by the British.

• Some were distributed to soldiers and some were

accessioned to the British Museum; most were sold and are
now displayed in museums around the world.
Let’s Read from out
textbook

•Pages 119-120
Ancient Empires: Benin Kingdoms.

• West Africa has a very rich history and tradition. We had

kingdoms that existed before the advent of colonialism. These are:
Benin, Asante, Oyo and Kanem-Bornu kingdoms and they were well
organized. Many fell because of internal and external conflict. 

• Benin Kingdom: The kingdom is in southwest of Nigeria, one of the

wealthiest and developed in old Africa. Benin king is called oba,
they believed that Osanobua sent his younger son to rule earth and
that the 1st kings of Bini called Ogiso (ruler of sky) were divine in
nature. The 1st was Ogiso Igodo.
• 
 Structure:

King was oba. Capital was Edo (now Benin City). The palace was in Edo.
They had great walls around the city preventing invaders. They
traded in ivory and timber to Hausas. The 1st Europeans to Benin
were the Portuguese explorers in 1485. The British was in 1553.
 Decline
Britain launched a military expedition against Benin when 8 British
representatives were killed in Benin.
Benin was completely burnt
Their art was destroyed, and the remaining were taken to European
museums.
 Further reading: Social Studies Textbook for Primary Schools, Book
5, pages 119-120
Ancient Empires: Benin Kingdoms. ( COPY THIS NOTE)
 
West Africa has a very rich history and tradition. We had kingdoms that existed before
the advent of colonialism. These are: Benin, Asante, Oyo and Kanem-Bornu kingdoms
and they were well organized. Many fell because of internal and external conflict.
 
Benin Kingdom: The kingdom is in south west of Nigeria, one of the wealthiest and
developed in old Africa. Benin king is called oba, they believed that Osanobua sent his
younger son to rule earth that the 1st kings of Bini called Ogiso (ruler of sky) were divine
in nature. The 1st was Ogiso Igodo.
 
Structure:
King was oba. Capital was Edo (now Benin City). The palace was in Edo. They had great
walls around the city preventing invaders. They traded in ivory and timber to Hausas.
The 1st Europeans to Benin were the Portuguese explorers in 1485. The British was in
1553.
Q: What is the time gap between the Portuguese and British explorers?
Decline
 Britain launched a military expedition against Benin when 8 British representatives
were killed in Benin

 Benin was completely burnt

 Their art was destroyed, and the remaining were taken to European musuems.
 
Further reading:
Social Studies Textbook for Primary Schools, Book 5, pages 119-120