---

6. c. 1200s: The Edo people establish the Kingdom of Benin, which would become a powerful and famous empire.

In the deep forests of what is now southern Nigeria, a civilization arose that would become synonymous with artistic brilliance, administrative sophistication, and martial prowess.

The Kingdom of Benin, founded by the Edo people around the 13th century, evolved from a nascent chiefdom into one of the most powerful and celebrated empires in African history.

Its legacy, encapsulated in the sublime beauty of the Benin Bronzes, tells a story of royal authority, cultural refinement, and a complex relationship with the wider world that would ultimately shape its destiny.

The early history of Benin is preserved in both oral tradition and the rich corpus of its art. The first period, known as the Ogiso dynasty (the “Kings of the Sky”), is considered a time of mythical foundation. According to tradition, the Edo people, dissatisfied with the rule of the last Ogiso, sent a message to the neighboring Yoruba kingdom of Ife, requesting a king. In response, the Ooni of Ife sent Prince Oranmiyan.

After a period of struggle to adapt to Edo customs, Oranmiyan fathered a son, Eweka I, who is considered the first Oba (king) of the new dynasty around 1200 AD. This foundational narrative is crucial; it establishes a spiritual and political link with the revered kingdom of Ife, from where the Benin court would later say it received the knowledge of brass casting.

The transformation of Benin from a kingdom into an empire is largely attributed to one of its most legendary rulers, Oba Ewuare the Great, who reigned in the mid-15th century. It was Ewuare who established a centralized, authoritarian state.

He is credited with:

· Expanding the Empire: Through strategic military campaigns, he significantly expanded Benin’s territory, bringing numerous towns and villages under its sway.
· Fortifying the Capital: He rebuilt the capital, Benin City, surrounding it with massive, intricate earthwork walls and moats—a system of fortifications that some historians consider one of the largest and most complex earthworks in the world, larger than the Great Wall of China in terms of material moved.
· Establishing Administration: He created a sophisticated bureaucratic structure, including titled guilds of artisans who worked exclusively for the palace and a hierarchical system of chiefs to administer the empire.
· Instituting Primogeniture: He solidified the royal lineage by establishing a clear line of succession from father to eldest son, ending previous cycles of succession disputes.

Under Ewuare and his successors, the Benin Empire became a major economic and political force. Its economy was built on a complex mix of agriculture, thriving internal trade, and later, commerce with Europeans.

The empire controlled the production and trade of key resources like pepper, ivory, and palm oil. When the Portuguese arrived in the late 15th century, they found a highly organized, urbanized state.

They established diplomatic and trade relations with the Obas, providing brass manillas (a form of currency) in exchange for goods and, for a time, slaves. The Oba maintained a strict monopoly over this external trade.

The artistic achievement of Benin is its most enduring gift to the world. The royal guild of brass casters and ivory carvers produced works of staggering technical and aesthetic mastery.

The famous “Benin Bronzes” (which are actually mostly made of brass) are not merely decorative; they are a historical record.

They include commemorative heads of past Obas, intricate plaques depicting court life, rituals, and military exploits, and beautiful ivory masks.

These objects served to glorify the Oba, validate his power, and connect him to his divine ancestors. The sophistication of the “lost-wax” casting technique and the naturalistic yet stylized forms placed Benin art in a class of its own, fundamentally challenging later European notions of African “primitivism.”

The empire’s power endured for centuries, but it could not withstand the changing tides of the 19th century. As the British Empire’s imperial ambitions grew, it viewed the independent and powerful Benin Kingdom as an obstacle.

In 1897, a British delegation, acting against diplomatic protocol by attempting to visit the Oba during a sacred religious festival, was ambushed, with most of its members killed. This provided the pretext for a massive “Punitive Expedition.” British forces invaded Benin City, burning and looting it. The reigning Oba, Ovonramwen, was captured and sent into exile.

The city was systematically plundered of its artistic treasures. Thousands of brass plaques, sculptures, and ivory carvings—the sacred regalia of the kingdom—were looted and shipped to Europe, where they were sold to museums and private collectors. This act of cultural devastation scattered the Benin Bronzes across the globe, where they remain at the center of ongoing debates about restitution and colonial legacy.

The Kingdom of Benin was more than a powerful state; it was a testament to human creativity and organizational genius. Its story is one of majestic rise, sustained splendor, and a tragic collision with colonialism, a narrative whose echoes are still powerfully felt today in the ongoing quest to reclaim its scattered heritage.