Origin.

It started as a small  trading settlement around the 13th century.  It was founded by the Edo speaking people who were also known as the Bini.The empire was situated on R. Benin, in the present day mid-west state of Nigeria.  The Great kingdom of the Edo people started as a small city state.

However, the rule of the Ogisos became dissatisfactory .  It is important to note that Benin was ruled by a line of kings known as the Ogisos.  These all together were ten Ogisos in the Ogiso dynasty including two women.  So, the dynasty was overthrown in about 1300 AD.

It was replaced by a republican government which also proved unpopular. Therefore the people of Benin appealed to the chief of Oyo for a prince to rule over them.

Chief Oduduwa sent his grandson Oranmiyan to rule them.  He married a daughter of a Benin chief who produced a son called Eweka.  He therefore became the first Oba king and the real founder of Benin dynasty.  It is this dynasty which developed the city state of Benin into a famous kingdom.

The people of Benin created a highly centralised government which remained unchanged until its conquest by the British in 1897.

Factors for the rise and expansion of Benin.The empire of Benin reached the peak of its power and prosperity in the 16th and 17th century.  At the height of its power, it stretched from the Niger in East to the west across Lagos.

Benin enclosed a large part of Yoruba land. Its growth and expansion was attributed to four of its famous leaders. These were; Oba, Ewuare, Esigie, Ozolua and Erogbua.

Efficient political system: Benin was headed by the king known as the Oba .  He administered the empire with the assistance of a state council called Usama. This system ensured order , peace and harmony which helped Benin to rise and expand.

A strong army:  Although Benin had no standing army, it had a prominent field marshal stationed at a capital.  Benin could rise any army of 1000,000 men in 24 hours. The army maintained law and order and defended the empire against external aggression.

Less interference from the neighbours:  The neighbouring Ibo and the Itsekiri people all lived in independent village groups.  These could not offer any serious threat Benin's army or empire.

Reasonable system of succession: From 1300 AD up to Oyo's demise on 1897, Benin empire was ruled by one dynasty known as the Eweka dynasty. This dynasty continuity reduced succession. disputes which gave Benin a chance to rise and expand.

Oba's desire to increase state revenue: Before the people of Benin started trading with the Europeans, their major source of revenue was from taxes and tributes from conquered states. So in order to increase their state revenue, they conquered more new territories.  This increased the wealth and size of Benin.

Early contacts with Europeans: As early as 1486, Benin established trade and diplomatic relations with Portugal. It sent an ambassador to Portugal during the reign of king John the 2nd .  The ambassador returned with Portuguese missionaries and traders who brought many presents to the Oba. This strengthened Benin's economy and increase her international image and reputation.

A strong and sound economy: This was based of the art and craft industry, taxes and tributes from the vassal states and agriculture. This helped Benin to generate big revenues to finance the empires' administration.

Geographical location: Benin was located in a suitable area for agriculture.  It was situated on the Niger and Benin river areas which was very fertile, also the forests provided protection from external attacks of the Fulani and Oyo and Nupe.

Political Organisation.

It had a centralised system of government headed by the king known as Oba. He was assisted by a state council of notables known as the Usama.

The empire was divided into two parts, the metropolitan Beni consisted of Benin city, the capital of Benin villages and Hamlets around the city.  Provincial and converted into tributary states.

The Usama was a very important institution in Benin.  The king had to consult them on major matters affecting the empire for example declaration of war and passing the new laws.

The Usama also had the legislative, judicial and executive functions in the central government.  The significance of the Usama was seen in 1786 when the French requested the king to allow them build a fort at Gwato. The Oba replied that he would have to consult the Usama before giving a reply. This was a testimony to the significant role played by the Usama.

Benin also developed a system of provincial administration for example the empire was divided into two provinces each made up of a collection of villages.  Benin princes were appointed as governors in these provincial states. They were responsible for the collection of taxes, tributes and also maintain law and order.

Benin had no standing army but could raise 100,000 men in 24 hours. However, there was a permanent field marshal stationed at the capital. The officer organised the feudal army and commanded it its major role was in the expansion and defence of Benin and also ensuring the payment of tributes.

Economic organisation

Benin's economy depended mainly on art and craft industry.  In fact Benin was famous for its art and craft in the region.  This generated great revenue from sacred curvings, beautiful ornaments, bells decorations and doors etc.  These works of art remain very important in Benin up to today.

Part of this was carried away by the British in 1897 after the occupation of the city.  It is estimated that the work if art stolen by the British was about 2500 pieces.  Therefore Benin lost a lot of wealth.The art and craft industry was organised into gilds which were controlled by the king. Each gild had its political organisation but the king exercised control over the industry.  The Artisans (crafts men) usually produced works of art on his orders.  These works fetched high prices because of their excellent quality.

Trade was another important source of revenue. There was inter state trade between Benin, Oyo and other Yoruba neighbours.  They also participated in international trade with Europeans at the coast especially the Portuguese. Benin's major exports were slaves, ivory, pepper, palm oil etc, while the imports were cloth plates firearms and ammunitions and other luxurious goods.

The Beni people were great agriculturists, they lived in very fertile areas between river Niger and R. Benin. They grew crops from consumption and surplus was exported.

Social organization

Socially the people of Benin lived in trading settlements and well organised villages. Those living in towns had well decorated houses.  Benin city was decorate with different types of art which made the city look beautiful.  The city was surrounded by a well which was 3 miles long.

The king had enough enormous religious power and was regarded semi divine by his subjects. The Beni were traditionalists and their religion reflected respect for the ancestors and belief of spirits.  However there was some little element of influence of islam.

The coming of missionaries in the 19th century made a big proportion of the Benin people to embrace Christianity.  Many of these were converted toe the new religion.

The Beni people also respected their elders and the  advise was taken seriously. Their customs were expressed in the works of art which made Benin empire well known to the outside world.

The Decline of the Benin Empire.

The empire of Benin reached the peak of its power and prosperity on the 16th and 17h century.  When the Europeans visited Benin during that period, they were impressed by the size of the city, its wide streets and the neat rows of houses.

However, by 1707, the story was different. When the Dutch traveled and visited Benin city, they were greeted by ruins of the former city.  The town was deserted and the houses had been destroyed ,various factors accounted for this situation.

Series of civil wars:  These overwhelmed the empire and initiated a period of decay.  These civil wars were partly due to the succession disputes to the throne or Obaship.

Slave trade:  The economy of Benin depended on slave trade which was characterized by frequent wars and raids to capture slaves from the neighbouring states.  Benin chief started selling their own subjects which created a lot of resentment and hatred. To make matters worse, slave trade was abolished which denied Benin its major source of revenue.

Diversion of trade:  From the late 16th century, Europeans traders became less frequent in Benin.  They were diverted to Asia while the rest created better bases at Fernando Po and Sao Tome islands.  This again denied Benin of its major source of wealth and income.

Desire of vassal states to regain independence: Provincial states wanted to participate directly in the profitable coastal trade with the Europeans e.g., Lagos and Warri became independent in the late 17th century just to participate in this trade.  Once again Benin was denied of its control over these territories.

Existence of Oyo:  As much as Oyo had declined to its original state it still wielded a lot of influence in trade.  In fact , the trade of Yoruba land begun to reach the coast through the new outlets of Lagos and Badagry other than through Benin.  Generally this was a major threat to the economy of Benin empire.

Increasing demand of fire arms: This created confusion in the area and intensified warfare.  It made it difficult for Benin to control its vasal states since most of them were well equipped.

British imperialism:  The remaining part of Benin was annexed the British in 1897. It is important to note that this was the period of the scramble and partition of Africa.  Britain is over Benin and it made it part of the Nigerian British protectorate.

Why the empire survived long.

Strong and capable leaders: e.g. Eweka, Ewuare and Esigie.Strong economy: based of the art and craft industry, trade, agriculture, taxes and tributes.

A well organised and efficient system of administration:  it was headed by the Oba and assisted by the Usama.

Location of the empire: This was in a forest region which gave it a natural defence against foreign attacks.

Reasonable system of succession:  This guaranteed dynastic continuity which eliminated succession disputes.

The immense value: Attached to the Obaship. The mystery fear and respect for the monarchy.

Absence of a strong neighbouring kingdom: Benin did not experience and external attacks or threats.

The Importance of Benin Art

Leisure:  Benin art was for personnel amusement to break boredom.  In most cases it was done to remove redundancy and being idle.

Entertainment;  Benin art was used during ceremonies and celebration to entertain the people.  Masks were worn which amused or scared the people and even created laughter.

Religion:  It was a reflection of moral s and religious beliefs for the people of Benin .  Some of the art work were symbols of worship all gods.

A means of communication:  In case of wars, raids or emergency and important occasions, drums and bells were sounded to notify the people .  This was an effective means of communication.

A source of income of revenue: The participants or Artisans were employed by the art industry.  It was a source of income for most of the Benin people and revenue for the government.

Status and prestige:  The Benin craftsmen of Artisans were the most respected and recognised in Benin. They were the envy of the Benin people because of their special attachments to the king since he controlled the gilds.

A side civilization and culture:  It is argued that Benin art showed the advanced stage of its civilization and culture in the region.

Decoration purpose:  Most of the statues of curvings were used to decorate the king's palace and houses and most of the city street houses exhibited part of this art work.

For defence purposes:  Some of the art work was sold or exchanged for fire arms.  These arms were later used to expand and protect the kingdom.

It was a sign of beauty and appreciation:  Benin women put on ornaments and bangles which made them look beautiful .  In fact Benin art made the people appreciate beauty.

It was an n expression of hopes and beliefs:  The Benin people expressed their feelings of happiness, belief, hatred and situations through these arts of work.  In other words, it was a way of communicating or expressing a message.