How did Benin become a powerful kingdom?
The Kingdom of Benin began in the 900s but the first Oba came to power in the 12th century.
The Obas held enormous political and religious power. They led the kingdom to success and prosperity for hundreds of years.
Important words for the Kingdom of Benin
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Archaeologist | People who dig up and uncover artefacts to help understand the past. |
| Brass | A type of metal. It is made by combining copper and zinc. |
| Courtier | A person who attends the royal court. They may also advise the Oba (king). |
| Empire | A group of countries and lands ruled by one person or government. |
| Looted | Stealing goods during a battle or war. |
| Rainforest | An area with high rainfall and large numbers of trees packed closely together. They are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, and not all of them are in hot places. |
| Wealthy | The kingdom had lots of money and precious resources. |
Watch: What did the people of Benin think about their Obas?
Find out who the Obas were and why they were so important in the Kingdom of Benin.
In the 12th century, Eweka I became the first Oba, or king, of Benin. Every Oba was seen as more than just a ruler. To the people of this West African kingdom, each was a powerful leader with a special link to the gods.
People believed the Obas were related to Osanobua, the creator god, and were linked to Olokun, the god of waters.
Over time, Obas took on an important role in festivals and ceremonies where they wore special clothes and coral crowns. Many people believed these were powerful holy objects.
The Oba was always male, but some women also had power. In the 16th century, Oba Esigie’s mother, Queen Idia, was given the title of Iyoba, or Queen Mother. She gave him advice and helped protect the kingdom, making him seem even stronger.
In the 18th century, the Obas were challenged from within the kingdom. When life became difficult, some people questioned their decisions. However, throughout much of Benin's history, the Oba was seen by many as a powerful ruler.
Who started the kingdom?
The kingdom of Benin began in the 900s when the Edo people settled in the rainforests of West Africa.
At first, they lived in small family groups, but gradually these groups developed into a kingdom.
The kingdom was called Igodomigodo. It was ruled by a series of kings, known as Ogisos, which means ‘rulers of the sky’.
How did the Obas come to rule?
In the 1100s the Ogisos lost control of their kingdom.
The Edo people feared that their country would fall into chaos, so they asked their neighbour, the King of Ife, for help. The king sent his son Prince Oranmiyan to restore peace to the Edo kingdom.
Oranmiyan chose his son Eweka to be the first Oba of Benin. An Oba was a king.
By the 1400s Benin was a wealthy kingdom. The Obas lived in beautiful palaces decorated with shining brass.
How did Benin become an empire?
Around 1440, Ewuare became the new Oba of Benin.
He built up an army.
He also rebuilt Benin City and the royal palace.
Oba Ewuare was the first of five great warrior kings. Find out more about them below.
| Oba | What did they do? |
|---|---|
| Oba Ewuare | Introduced hereditary succession (the heir to the throne is the current king's child). |
| Oba Ozolua | Believed to have won 200 battles. |
| Oba Esigie | Expanded his kingdom eastwards to form an empire and won land from the Kingdom of Ife. |
| Oba Orhogbua | During his reign, the empire reached its largest size. It stretched beyond the River Niger in the east and extended west as far as present-day Ghana. |
| Oba Ehengbuda | Spent most of his reign stopping rebellions led by local chiefs. |
Obas Ozolua and Esigie both encouraged trade with Europe.
Trade brought huge wealth to Benin and they used it to build up a vast army. Various goods were sold including ivory, palm oil, pepper.
Oba Ehengbuda was the last of the warrior kings. After his death in 1601, Benin’s empire gradually shrank in size.
Listen: How did a European trader record a visit to Benin city?
In the year 1668 a Dutch writer called Olfert Dapper put together some merchants’ descriptions of their travels. Listen to them in this audio clip.
How did traders from Europe see Benin?
Benin City is at least four miles wide. The city has wide, straight roads, lined by houses. The houses are large and handsome with walls made from clay. The people are very friendly and there seems to be no stealing.
Inside the city is the king’s court. It is large and square and surrounded by a wall. The court is divided into many palaces with separate houses and apartments for courtiers.
The court has many galleries flanked by wooden pillars. Fixed to these pillars are shining metal plaques showing battle scenes and deeds of courage. The roofs of the palace have pointed turrets and on top of each turret there is a copper bird with outspread wings.
The king shows himself just once a year to his people, riding out of his court on horseback. He is beautifully dressed with all sorts of royal ornaments. Three or four hundred noblemen accompany their king, some on horseback and some on foot. And a great number of musicians walk before and behind him, playing merry tunes on all sorts of musical instruments.
The king doesn’t ride very far from the court, but soon returns after a little tour. Then he orders some tame leopards that he keeps, to be led about the city in chains.
How did Benin become part of the British empire?
By the 1800s, the kingdom of Benin began to lose power.
Benin was also under threat from Britain who wanted to gain control of Benin’s rich natural resources (palm oil and rubber).
The Oba tried to stop all contact with Britain, but the British insisted on their right to trade.
In 1897, a group of British officials tried to visit Benin. They were sent away because the Oba was busy with a religious ceremony, but they decided to visit anyway. As they approached the borders of Benin, a group of warriors drove them back and several British men were killed.
This attack made the British furious. They sent over a thousand soldiers to invade Benin. Benin City was burnt to the ground and the kingdom of Benin became part of the British Empire.
Think like a historian
Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answer to each question. You could even write them down on a piece of paper or discuss them with somebody else if you want to.
- Why do you think Benin kings are known as ‘great’ warrior kings?
- What evidence shows the enormous power held by the Oba?
You may have thought about how the Obas ruled at a time when Benin was powerful and expanded its territory. Also, they led large armies into battle and were victorious.
Did you think about the different ways the Obas showed their power? They had many palaces and were seen by ordinary people once per year. Also, they had metal plaques showing battle scenes which would have been expensive to make. You may have also thought about how they had beautiful clothing and wore royal ornaments.
Activity: Quiz – Kingdom of Benin
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