TOPIC: BENIN KINGDOM

ORIGIN OF BENIN KINGDOM

The origin of Edo is not certain due to different stories from different people,
some believed they are from Egypt, Sudan and some said Ile-Ife. It is located in
southern Nigeria and the name applies to both the people and the people. the major
tribes include: Esan, kukuruku, Orra, akoko, Isoko and Urhobo.
According to chief Jacob Egharevba’s short story, the kingdom was ruled by the
Ogisos. Igodo reigned and brought great improvement in bead making, ceramics
and so on, followed by Ere whose contributions include: creation of the Ughoron,
a class of royal singers and recorders of event, he created Edionnisen (five elders
of the kingdom), introduction of royal throne and Owodo became the last Ogiso
who clashed with the nobles and got banished due to incompetence. The period
was followed by crisis, political instability and so on.
 Furthermore, the crisis made the people to go to Ile-Ife for solution and this is
why the origin of benin was traced to Ile-Ife, the came to Ooni of Ife requesting
for a ruler with blue blood (someone from a family of high social rank) to rule
over them. Oranmiyan was given to them, he married a benin princess named
Erinwinde and they had a son called Eweka. Oranmiyan found it difficult to rule
and renounced his office on the ground that Benin was a “country of vexation”
(Ile Ubinu) and relinquished power to his son because he felt only a prince of
Edo blood could rule his people. Thus, Eweka was crowned the first Oba around
1300, he did so well, created office of councilors known as Uzama which were
seven in number and so on. Oba Ewedo did so well too, he used religion to unify
the people, introduced new laws, built prison for criminals and so on.
Oba Oguola was another great Oba, he built the city walls of Benin
and brought famous brass plaques for Benin.
(Read page 190-192 to see more achievement of the different Obas)
SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF THE EMPIRE
1. Political structure: Oba is the king, but administrative duties are
handled by his eldest son and wife and holders of Eghaevo titles.
Also, the Uzamas (kingmakers), palace chiefs too (six in number)
and divided into three: the Iwebo, Iweguae and Ibiwe. Also the
town chief- checkmate the activites of the uzama. Then the state
council with the Oba make laws.
2. Judicial organization: they had three great courts: oba’s court is the
supreme, the second is the district made up of several villages and the
provincial governor was in charge and village court which was the last
headed by elders.
3. Military organization: they had a standing army headed by Ezemo.
4. Occupational activities: art, trade, agriculture and bead making.
In summary, the kingdom had problems like succession disputes,
crisis, decline in trade and so led to the fall of the kingdom.
(read more from your textbook).
 SOME BENIN ARTS
TYPICAL EDO KING AND QUEEN
THE RULER ON A HORSE
MORE BENIN ART