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• The Kingdom of Benin was located in what is now known as southern Nigeria.
• The kingdom was led by the Oba, a powerful leader who was believed to be descended from the gods.
• The Obas used art and architecture to show their power. Benin became famous for its bronzes, intricate art cast in bronze and ivory.

From around 500, the Edo people lived in villages and were ruled by a leader known as Ogiso. Ogiso means ‘king of the sky’. The Ogisos called their land Igodomigodo.

By 1100, there were struggles for power and 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 Igodomigodo.

Prince Oranmiyan chose his son, Eweka, to be the first Oba, and Igodomigodo became the Kingdom of Benin. Eweka was the first in a long line of rulers known as Obas.

Between 1440 and 1601, Benin was ruled by a succession of ‘warrior’ kings who were instrumental in growing the kingdom. Under their rule the kingdom grew in wealth and they expanded their territory. Oba Ewuare, also known as ‘Ewuare the Great’ was first of these kings. His reign had a significant impact on the kingdom.

The people of Benin believed that the Obas were descended from the gods. As a result, the Obas were treated with great respect. It was strictly guarded who could speak to the Obas, and few people were allowed to see the Obas eat. The Obas lived in a large palace in Edo City and were only seen outside of the palace once a year during a large procession.

Three groups of servants known as associations looked after the Obas:

• The Iwebo association looked after the Obas' ceremonial clothes and treasures.
• The Iweguae association looked after his palace.
• The Obas had more than one wife. The Ibiwe association looked after their wives and children.

The Obas relied on palace chiefs and officials to help them run their kingdom. A council of 60 men also gave the Obas advice on war, trade and finances.

Benin was a diverse and varied kingdom. Many people in the kingdom lived in villages and small towns in the rainforest. Housing was typically made from wood, palm leaves and mud. Villages made clearings in the forest to grow vegetables.

There were a range of jobs people could do. Edo City became famous for its craft workers, who specialised in handling materials including bronze and ivory. Workers formed guilds, with all members of the guild living and working together.

Not all the guilds were for craft workers. Doctors, drummers, acrobats and dancers had their own guilds too. In Edo City there were over 40 guilds, with each guild performing a special duty for the Obas.

The Edo people worshipped many gods, including the Obas, as descendants of Osanobua.

Their gods included:

• Osanobua – the creator of the world
• Olokun – the god of the ocean and wealth
• Ogun – the god of iron and warriors
• Osun – the god of medicine and magic

Metalwork became a valued form of art in Benin.

Metalworkers were part of specialised guilds who worked directly for the Oba. They created intricate sculptures of the Obas’ heads, figures and plaques depicting the history of the kingdom. Many of these were used to decorate the Oba’s palace and would glimmer in the sun.

Following the invasion of Benin, many of the Benin Bronzes were stolen by British soldiers and sailors. Today, the Benin Bronzes can be viewed in museums all over the world, however, many people have campaigned for the return of these cultural treasures back to their country of origin, which is modern-day Nigeria.

Trade was central to the success of Benin. The capital city was divided into districts and there was a district for metalworkers, instrument makers, wood and textile workers.

In 1490, the Portuguese set up a trading post at Gwaton, to the south of Edo City. Benin traded cotton, leopard skins, palm oil and spices for brass and copper arm rings called manillas. The Obas developed friendly relations with the Portuguese; Oba Ozolua even had a Portuguese tutor. However, the involvement of Europeans was not positive for many people. The Obas of Benin captured people they beat in battles, enslaved them and sold them to the Europeans.

During the 1800s, there were power struggles over control of the throne and the kingdom started to lose its power. Britain was seeking out new goods such as palm oil and rubber for their factories, and wanted to achieve greater control over West African trade and territory.

Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi tried to protect his kingdom by avoiding all contact with the British. In 1897, a group of British officials tried to visit Benin to depose the Oba, although they claimed that they merely wanted to open up trade. The people of Benin had been forewarned of the true intentions of the British officials and Benin soldiers ambushed the group, killing all but a few. This became known as the Benin Massacre.

The British retaliated by sending over a thousand soldiers to invade Benin. They burned Edo City, executed men in the streets and looted the Oba’s palace. The Benin Bronzes that were housed in the palace were taken after the invasion. Many of these Benin Bronzes can be found in British, European and American museums today. The Oba and his wives were exiled to Calabar and the Kingdom of Benin fell under British control and became a part of British Nigeria.