Benin City
City
Benin
Aerial view of Benin City
Benin City Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°20′00″N 5°37′20″E / 6.33333°N 5.62222°E / 6.33333; 5.62222
Country	Nigeria
State	Edo
Area
• Total	1,204 km2 (465 sq mi)
Population  (2015)
• Total	1,495,800
• Estimate  (2021)	1,782,000
• Rank	4th
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
Climate	Aw

Benin City is the capital, and largest city of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano and Ibadan, with a total population of 1,782,000 as of 2021.^[1] It is situated approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of the Benin River and 320 kilometres (200 mi) by road east of Lagos. Benin City is the centre of Nigeria's rubber industry, and oil production is also a significant industry.^[2]

It was the most important city of the Edo kingdom of Benin, which flourished during the 13th to the 19th century. It had important trade relations with Portugal during the last centuries before being razed in 1897 by a British punitive raid. Many treasures and artifacts, including the Benin Bronzes were taken by the British who followed up their victory with a military occupation of the area.^[3]

The indigenous people of Benin City are the Edo people (The Benin People), and they speak the Edo language and other Edoid languages. The people of the city have one of the richest dress cultures on the African continent and are known for their beads, body marks, bangles, anklets, raffia work and the subsistence farming of yam, plantain and cassava.^[4]

History

Edo People

The original people and founders of the Ẹdo Empire and the Ẹdo people initially were ruled by the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) dynasty who called their land Igodomigodo. Igodo, the first Ogiso, wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere, his eldest son. In the 12th century, great palace intrigue and the battle for power erupted between the warrior crown prince Ekaladerhan, son of the last Ogiso and his young paternal uncle. In anger over an oracle, Prince Ekaladerhan left the royal court with his warriors. When his old father the Ogiso died, the Ogiso dynasty was ended as the people and royal kingmakers preferred their king's son as natural next in line to rule.^[5]

The exiled Ekaladerhan, who was not known, gained the title of Ogiso, which has been corrected in the Yoruba language to Oba (Ọghẹnẹ) of Benin. He refused to return to Ile ife but sent his son Ọranmiyan to become king in his place.^[6] Prince Ọranmiyan took up residence in the palace built for him at Uzama by the elders, now a coronation shrine. Soon after he married a beautiful lady, Ẹrinmwide, daughter of Osa-nego, the ninth Enogie of Edọ. He and Erinwide had a son. After some years he called a meeting of the people and renounced his office, remarking that the country was a land of vexation, Ile-Ibinu, and that only a child born, trained and educated in the arts and mysteries of the land could reign over the people.^[7] The country was afterward known by this name. He caused his son born to him by Ẹrinmwide to be made King in his place and returned to Benin land . After some years in Ife, he left for Benin, where he also left a son behind upon leaving, and his son Ajaka ultimately became the first Oba of Benin of the present line, while Ọranmiyan (the exiled Prince Ekaladerhan, also known as Izoduwa) himself was reigning as Ọọni of Ifẹ. Therefore, Ọranmiyan of Ife, the father of Ẹwẹka I, the Ọba of Benin, was also the father of Ajaka, Alaafin of Ọyọ.^[8] Ọọni of Ifẹ. Allegedly Ọba Ẹwẹka later changed the name of the city of Ile-Binu, the capital of the Benin kingdom, to "Ubinu." This name would be reinterpreted by the Portuguese as "Benin" in their own language. Around 1470, Ẹwuare changed the name of the state to Ẹdo.^[9] This was about the time the people of Ọkpẹkpẹ migrated from Benin City. Alternatively, Yorubas believe Oduduwa was from the Middle East and migrated from that area to the present Ile Ife.^[10] Because of his power and military might, he was able to conquer the enemies invading Benin. That was why the people of Benin made him the King or Oba of Benin. In any case, it is agreed upon by both the Yoruba and Edos that Oduduwa sent his son Prince Oramiyan of Ife to rule Benin City and found the Oba dynasty in Benin City.^[11]

European Contact

The Portuguese visited Benin City around 1485. Benin grew rich during the 16th and 17th centuries due to trade within southern Nigeria, as well as through trade with Europeans, mostly in pepper and ivory. In the early 16th century, the Ọba sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and the King of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to Benin. Some residents of Benin could still speak a pidgin Portuguese in the late 19th century. Many Portuguese loan words can still be found today in the languages of the area. A Portuguese captain described the city in 1691:"Great Benin, where the king resides, is larger than Lisbon; all the streets run straight and as far as the eye can see. The houses are large, especially that of the king, which is richly decorated and has fine columns. The city is wealthy and industrious. It is so well governed that theft is unknown and the people live in such security that they have no doors to their houses". This was at a time when theft and murder were rife in London.^[12][13]

On 17 February 1897, Benin City fell to the British.^[4] In the "Punitive Expedition", a 1,200-strong British force, under the command of Admiral Sir Harry Rawson, conquered and razed the city after all but two men from a previous British expeditionary force led by Acting Consul General Philips were killed.^[14][15] Alan Boisragon, one of the survivors of the Benin Massacre, included references of the practice of human sacrifice in the city in a firsthand account written in 1898 (one year after the Punitive Expedition).^[16] James D. Graham notes that although "there is little doubt that human sacrifices were an integral part of the Benin state religion from very early days," firsthand accounts regarding such acts often varied significantly, with some reporting them and others making no mention of them.^[17]

The "Benin Bronzes", portrait figures, busts and groups created in iron, carved ivory, and especially in brass (conventionally called "bronze"), were taken from the city by the British and are currently displayed in various museums around the world.^[4] Some of the bronzes were auctioned off to compensate for the expenses incurred during the invasion of the city. Most of these artifacts can be found today in British museums and other parts of the world. In recent years, various appeals have gone to the British government to return such artifacts. The most prominent of these artifacts was the famous Queen Idia mask used as a mascot during the Second Festival of Arts Culture (FESTAC '77) held in Nigeria in 1977 now known as "Festac Mask".^[18]

The capture of Benin paved the way for British military occupation and the merging of later regional British incorporation of African kingdoms into the Niger Coast Protectorate, the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and finally, into the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. The British permitted the restoration of the Benin monarchy in 1914, but true political power still lay with the colonial administration of Nigeria.^[19]

Nigerian Independence

Following Nigeria's independence from British rule in 1960, Benin City became the capital of Mid-Western Region when the region was splitted from Western Region in June 1963. In 1976 when the region was renamed as Bendel State, it remained the capital of the region and became the state capital of Ẹdo State when Bendel was splitted into Delta and Edo states in 1991.^[20]

The Benin imperialism started in the last decade of the thirteen century by Oba Ewedo.^[21]

Geography

Climate

Benin City has a borderline tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) bordering upon a tropical monsoon climate (Am). The weather is uncomfortably hot and humid year-round, and generally very dull, especially between July and September.

Education

Benin City is home to some of Nigeria's institutions of higher learning, namely, the University of Benin located at Ugbowo and Ekenwan,^[23] the Ambrose Alli University located at Ekpoma,^[24] the College of Education Ekiadolor,^[25] Igbinedion University,^[26] the Benson Idahosa University^[27] and Wellspring University.^[28] Secondary schools in Nigeria such as, Edo College,^[29] Edo Boys High School (Adolo College), Western Boys High School, Oba Ewuare Grammar School, Greater Tomorrow Secondary School, Garrick Memorial Secondary School, Winrose Secondary School, Asoro Grammar School, Eghosa Grammar School, Edokpolor Grammar School, Covenant Christian Academy, Niger College, Presentation National High School, Immaculate Conception College, Idia College, University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School, University Preparatory Secondary School, Auntie Maria School, Benin Technical College,^[30] Headquarters of Word of Faith Group of Schools, Lydia Group of Schools, Nosakhare Model Education Centre and Igbinedion Educational Center,^[31] Federal Government Girls College, Benin City,^[32] Paragon Comprehensive College, and Itohan Girls Grammar School. Some of the vocational schools in Benin City include Micro International Training Center, Computer Technology and Training Center, Okunbor Group of Schools.

Culture

Attractions in the city includes the National Museum, the Oba Palace, Igun Street (Famous for bronze casting and other metal works). Other attractions include various festivals and the Benin Moats (measuring about 20 to 40 ft), the King's Square (known as Ring Road)^[33] and its traditional markets.

The Binis are known for bronze sculpture, its casting skills, and their arts and craft. Benin City is also the home of one of the oldest sustained monarchies in the world. Various festivals are held in Benin City yearly to celebrate various historic occasions and seasons. Igue festival is the most popular of the festivals where the Oba celebrates the history and culture of his people and blesses the land and the people. It is celebrated at a time between Christmas and New Year.^[34]

Festival

Benin city has a popular festival called Igue Festival. The festival is an annual event held in Benin to usher in the new year. The festival is an integral part of the culture of the people in Benin City (formerly referred to as Benin Kingdom or the Kingdom of Benin). The festival is believed to renew Oba Ewuare magical powers and it celebration comes between Christmas and New Year celebrations. The festival includes the Oba's blessing of the land and his people.^{[35][36][37][38]}

Aside the cultural festival, the City also play host to the Benin City Film Festival. The festival create room for the promotion of works produced by local film community. It also promote contents of National and International emerging filmmakers to showcase their works in an environment where they have access to experienced industry professionals.^[39][40]

Bini Market Days

The "Bini" people have four market days: Ekioba, Ekenaka, Agbado, and Eken.

Transportation

Benin Airport serves the city with three commercial airlines flying to it, including Arik Air, Air Peace and Azman.

Notable People

• Godwin Abbe, former Nigerian Minister for Interior and Defence
• Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, former governor of the defunct Bendel State. He created the Bendel State University now named after him as "Ambrose Alli University"
• Eghosa Asemota Agbonifo, politician
• Anthony Anenih, chairman, the board of trustees (PDP) and Nigeria's former Minister of Works
• Suleiman Braimoh (born 1989), Nigerian-American basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
• Archbishop John Edokpolo, Minister of Trade and Founder of Edokpolor Grammar School
• Francis Edo-Osagie, businessman
• Jacob U. Egharevba, Bini historian and traditional chief
• Anthony Enahoro, anti-colonial and pro-democracy activist and politician
• Bright Enobakhare, football player
• Festus Ezeli, basketball player
• Abel Guobadia, former Chairman of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission
• Benson Idahosa, Founder of Church of God Mission International Incorporated and Idahosa World Outreach (IWO)
• Felix Idubor, artist
• Felix Liberty, musician
• Suyi Davies Okungbowa, African fantasy and speculative fiction author
• Gabriel Igbinedion, businessman and Esama of Benin kingdom
• Festus Iyayi, novelist and first African to win the Commonwealth Writers Prize
• Suleman Johnson, senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International
• Samuel Ogbemudia, former governor of the Midwest region of Nigeria and later Bendel state
• Sonny Okosun, musician
• Osasere Orumwense, Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin
• Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, former Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin
• Demi Isaac Oviawe, Ireland-based actress
• Chris Oyakhilome, founder and president of Believers LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy
• Modupe Ozolua, cosmetic surgeon
• Victor Uwaifo, musician

References

Bibliography

• Bondarenko D. M. A Homoarchic Alternative to the Homoarchic State: Benin Kingdom of the Thirteenth - Nineteenth Centuries. Social Evolution & History. 2005. vol. 4, no 2. pp. 18–88.

External links

• WorldStatesmen- Nigeria
• ^[permanent dead link] The Fall of Benin^{[permanent dead link]}
• Benin kingdom/Edo state tourism
• Story of cities #5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now lost without trace