[citation needed] Because of his power and military might, he was able to conquer the enemies invading Ife city. [8] [9], Parts of this article (those related to Post-colonial Benin) need to be. The City of Benin Benin, the capital of the kingdom, is located some 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) from the coast and to the west of the Niger River. Under the French, a port was constructed at Cotonou, and railroads were built. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. [4], Former West African Development Bank Director Yayi Boni won the March 2006 election for the presidency in a field of 26 candidates. On 12 January 1897, Rear-Admiral Harry Rawson, commander of the Royal Navy forces at the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station, was appointed by the Admiralty to lead a force to invade the Kingdom of Benin, capture the Benin Oba and destroy Benin City. 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. Benin City, originally known as Edo, was once the capital of a pre-colonial African empire located in what is now southern Nigeria. Benin is named after the body of water on which it lies – the ‘Bight of Benin’. [citation needed], The exiled Ekaladerhan, who was not known, gained the title of Oni Ile-fe Izoduwa, which has been corrected in the Yoruba language to Ọọni (Ọghẹnẹ) of Ile-Ifẹ Oduduwa. Therefore, Ọranmiyan of Ife, the father of Ẹwẹka I, the Ọba of Benin, was also the father of Ajaka, the first Alaafin of Ọyọ. (Lagos was in fact founded by a Benin army and continued to pay tribute to the oba of Benin until the end of the 19th century.) Benin became independentfrom France on August 1, 1960. Ein urbanes Zentrum wurde ab dem 15. No one knows for sure. [4] Benin was thus the first African country to effect successfully the transition from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system. The capital region of the country and the area nearby was referred as ‘Slave Coast’ from as early as the 17thcentury. Around 1500, the Portuguese explorer Duarte Pacheco Pereira, briefly described the walls during his travels.Another description given around 1600, one hundred years after Pereira's description, is by the Dutch explorer Dierick Ruiters. "[4], In December 2002, Benin held its first municipal elections since before the institution of Marxism-Leninism. The operation was named the Benin Punitive Expedition. History First Encounters and Records. French colonisation came in 18… Between 1960 and 1972, a succession of military coups brought about many changes of government. The three main kingdoms (created by the Fon) were that of Allada, founded in the 16th century, it was the most powerful kingdom in … However, in the 15th century the African kingdom of Danhomey rose up. That vote was marred by irregularities, and the electoral commission was forced to repeat that single election. He established a hereditary succession to the throne and vastly expanded the territory of the Benin kingdom, which by the mid-16th century extended from the Niger River delta in the east to what is now Lagos in the west. According to oral tradition, Oranyan came to power because he married a local chief's daughter and formed a kinship connection that led to ruling rights. The people of Beninare called as Beninese. Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East: L to Z. Infobase Publishing, 2009. [6], After President Boni Yayi had served maximum two five-year terms, businessman Patrice Talon succeeded him. Brass plaques and sculptures have been created by the Edo (known also as the Bini), the indigenous people of the Benin Empire, as early as the 13th century, prior to their contact with Europeans. The indigenous people of Benin City are the Edo people (The Benin People), and they speak the Edo language and other Edoid languages. The Benin empire was … Not to be confused with the West African country of, Federal Government Girls College, Benin City, "International Rubber Study Group - Nigeria", "Story of cities #5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now lost without trace", "The Desperate Journey of a Trafficked Girl", Story of cities #5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now lost without trace, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benin_City&oldid=1017206474, Sacred sites in traditional African religions, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox settlement with unknown parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2020, Articles with dead external links from July 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from June 2020, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with multiple identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 11 April 2021, at 13:22. After some years in Ife, he left for Ọyọ, where he also left a son behind upon leaving, and his son Ajaka ultimately became the first Alaafin of Ọyọ of the present line, while Ọranmiyan (the exiled Prince Ekaladerhan, also known as Izoduwa) himself was reigning as Ọọni of Ifẹ. The weather is uncomfortably hot and humid year-round, and generally very dull, especially between July and September. 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. 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. Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders (2003), page 55. Before 1975, the Republic of Benin was known as Dahomey, its French colonial name. Benin City has a borderline tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) bordering upon a tropical monsoon climate (Am). [6] This was about the time the people of Ọkpẹkpẹ migrated from Benin City. Die Amtssprache war Edo. [3] The People's Revolutionary Party of Benin (PRPB) remained in complete power until the beginning of the 1990s. 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. The Kingdom of Dahomey, from where the original name derived, only covered the southern part of the modern country and did not represent it as a whole, specifically northwestern areas Atakor, o… The "Bini" people have four market days: Ekioba, Ekenaka, Agbado, and Eken. Other attractions include various festivals and the Benin Moats (measuring about 20 to 40 ft), the King's Square (known as Ring Road)[16] and its traditional markets. The Binis are known for bronze sculpture, its casting skills, and their arts and craft. Some of the vocational schools in Benin City include Micro International Training Center, Computer Technology and Training Center, Okunbor Group of Schools. Supporters of Soglo also secured a majority in the National Assembly Benin was thus the first African country to effect successfully the transition from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system, Between 1960 and 1972, a succession of military coups brought about many changes of government. Das Königreich gehört zu den am umfangreichsten dokumentierten vorkolonialen Reichen Westafrikas und wurde erst am Ende des 19. The city is wealthy and industrious. However, by the 15th century, a single ruler, known as the oba, had asserted control. Allegedly Ọba Ẹwẹka later changed the name of the city of Ile-Binu, the capital of the Benin kingdom, to "Ubinu." The second round balloting, originally scheduled for March 18, 2001, was postponed for days because both Soglo and Houngbedji withdrew, alleging electoral fraud. School facilities were expanded by Roman Catholic missions. [citation needed] The country was afterward known by this name. [4], Benin held legislative elections on March 31, 2007, for the 83 seats in the National Assembly. Benin’s history is one of great violence and tragedy, but also of perseverance. The Benin name was picked for its neutrality. The rich culture and history of Benin City can be appreciated in many notable buildings and sites throughout the city. By 1975 the Republic of Dahomey changed its name to the People's Republic of Benin.The People's Revolutionary Party of Benin remained in complete power until the beginning of the 1990s. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere, his eldest son. He and Erinwide had a son. The city of Benin, like the ancient Egyptian cities walled against predators, has a giant protective moat dug around it between 1280 - 1295 AD, without using mechanical equipment. Most of these artifacts can be found today in British museums and other parts of the world. History. Various festivals are held in Benin City yearly to celebrate various historic occasions and seasons. [4], In March 2011, President Boni Yayi was re-elected with 53.13 percent of vote in the first-round of the election. 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. Infoplease has everything you need to know about Benin. President Yayi was inaugurated on April 6, 2006. They traded with the Frendh, the Dutch, and the Portuguese. This was at a time when theft and murder were rife in London. The other opposition parties, the Party for Democratic Renewal (PRD) led by the former Prime Minister Adrien Houngbedji and the Alliance Etoile (AE), joined the government coalition. Eweka II taught Ovia Idah, a noted ebony carver. 4. [5], In the second round of National Assembly elections held in March 1995, Zoglo's political vehicle, the Parti de la Renaissance du Benin, was the largest single party but lacked an overall majority. 2. The Late Period came to a head during the Benin Punitive Expedition of 1897, during which the British ransacked Benin City, looted thousands of precious objects, and displaced Oba Ovanramwen. The engineering feat still marvels in modern times. Was he invited? 1. The Benin moat is described in the Guinness Book of Records as second in magnitude only to the Great China wall. [4], During the 2001 elections, however, alleged irregularities and dubious practices led to a boycott of the run-off poll by the main opposition candidates. Benin Burns Wildfire, Raging flames, Heated air, Miniature whirlwind of flames, Blazing fingers of fire, Air filled with thin black smoke, Gusts of wind sweeping in every direction, Curling and wreathing it in fantastic shapes, Everything in a blaze. On December 4, 1958, it became the Republic of Dahomey. [7], In April 2021, incumbent Patrice Talon won re-election with 86 percent of the votes in the first round of the election. 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. Dahomey was a French colony of and a part of French West Africa from 1904 to 1959. [9][10] Alan Boisragon, one of the survivors of the Benin Massacre, includes references to the practice of human sacrifice in the city in a firsthand account written in 1898 (one year after the Punitive Expedition). It had important trade relations with Portugal during the last centuries before being razed in 1897 by a British punitive raid. Benin City is also the home of one of the oldest sustained monarchies in the world. Many treasures and artefacts, including the Benin Bronzes were taken by the British who followed up their victory with a military occupation of the area. Economic Community of West African States, https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-benin-election-idAFJOE72L02120110322, https://www.france24.com/en/Benin-presidential-elections-mark-victory-Talon, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/13/benins-president-wins-re-election-with-86-official, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/11/vote-counting-in-benin-after-election-marked-by-violent-protests, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_Benin&oldid=1018670495, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from April 2021, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the World Factbook, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the United States Department of State Background Notes, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 19 April 2021, at 07:49. [11] 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.[12]. It is so well governed that theft is unknown and the people live in such security that they have no doors to their houses". [3], 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. Talon defeated prime minister Lionel Zinsou, the candidate for Boni Yayi's Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE), in the March 2016 presidential election. Benin belonged to the British Empire until 1960. The process was smooth with the significant exception of the 12th district council for Cotonou, the contest that would ultimately determine who would be selected for the mayoralty of the capital city. Igodo, the first Ogiso, wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. The Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin (FCBE), a coalition of parties, closely linked to President Yayi, won a plurality of the seats in the National Assembly, providing the president with considerable influence over the legislative agenda. The British permitted the restoration of the Benin monarchy in 1914, but true political power still lay with the colonial administration of Nigeria. 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 history of Ancient Benin City is tragic, and mind-blowing, and yet – except for in the minds of a handful of its descendants – almost completely forgotten. Benin City is the centre of Nigeria's rubber industry, and oil production is also a significant industry.[2]. 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". Benin City (deutsch auch Benin-Stadt) ist mit knapp 2,6 Millionen Einwohnern (Stand: 2012) die größte Stadt des Bundesstaates Edo und dessen Hauptstadt, sowie die drittgrößte Stadt Nigerias.. Benin City war das Zentrum des Königreichs Benin und Sitz des Oba.Die Stadt entstand aus einer Fusion von verschiedenen Dörfern. In either case, during O… Brief History of Benin: Prior to the 15th century, Benin was mostly settled by smaller tribes. During the trans-Atlantic slave trade, a large number of slaves were shipped to the New World. His main rival rejected the results, claiming widespread irregularities. He refused to return to Ẹdo but sent his son Ọranmiyan to become king in his place. Countries of the world and their leaders yearbook 2007, Volume 1. Supporters of Soglo also secured a majority in the National Assembly. When the Europeans arrived in the 18th Century Danhomey was still growing. If that's not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. In anger over an oracle, P… It also has ancient art … However, even today, the oba still serves in Benin City as a government advisor. Today, Benin City is an important hub for rubber production in Nigeria and is also an exporter of palm oil and palm kernels. The mythic origins of Benin state that the city was originally under the rule of Ogisos, meaning "Kings of the Sky". Benin Airport serves the city with three commercial airlines flying to it, including Arik Air, Air Peace and Azman. Nicephore Soglo's Renaissance du Benin (RB) party won the new vote, paving the way for the former president to be elected Mayor of Cotonou by the new city council in February 2002. Under the dynasty established by Ewuare the Great, Benin's territory expanded to cover a region between the Niger Delta and what is now the Nigerian city of Lagos. Soon after he married a beautiful lady, Ẹrinmwide, daughter of Osa-nego, the ninth Enogie of Edọ. Many Portuguese loan words can still be found today in the languages of the area. The change in election laws resulted in total control of parliament by president Talon’s supporters. These pieces of metalwork were produced using a process known as lost-wax casting, a technique that was discovered as early as the Copper Age. [2] By 1975 the Republic of Dahomey changed its name to the People's Republic of Benin. [1] It is situated approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of the Benin River and 320 kilometres (200 mi) by road east of Lagos. Thomson Gale (Firm). This left Kérékou to run against his own Minister of State, Amoussou, in what was termed a "friendly match. [13], The Benin imperialism started in the last decade of the thirteen century by Oba Ewedo.[14]. The country was known as Dahomey during the colonial period and in early independence. During the 13th century, the indigenous Edo people were run by a group of local chieftains. After the collapse of the Kérékou government in 1989, the name was shortened to the Republic of Benin. [citation needed], The Portuguese visited Benin City around 1485. The obasbrought great prosperity and a highly organised state to Benin. The first exibition is the Oba Akenzua II Gallery, the second exbition is Chief S.O Alonge's works : The Photographer to the Royal Cout of Benin and the 3rd exibition focuses on Unity in diversity One of the interesting aspects for me was learning about the holy aruosa church benin and that is still stands till date. Benin has no relationship to modern Nigeria’s Benin City or the Benin bronzes. Although there were some irregularities, these were not significant and did not greatly disrupt the proceedings or the results. An oba, or king, and his court have, from around 1300 C.E., governed the kingdom from Benin City, the capital.Within the kingdom, specialized artists belonged to guilds with hereditary membership and worked solely for the oba. It is celebrated at a time between Christmas and New Year.[17]. He caused his son born to him by Ẹrinmwide to be made King in his place and returned to Yoruba land Ile-Ife. Benin ist der Name eines von Edo-Völkern gegründeten Königreiches im Südwesten des heutigen Nigeria, das bis zum Jahre 1897 unabhängig war. When the last Ogiso died, the nobles and chiefs disagreed over who would be the next Ogiso, so the Benin sent a message to Ife to the Oni of … Shortly after statehood was established, a foreign official named Oranyan became leader of Benin. By the 1st century BC, the Benin territory was partially agricultural; and it became primarily agricultural by around 500 AD, but hunting and gathering still remained important. School facilities were expanded by Roman Catholic missions. Jamie Stokes. In anger over an oracle, Prince Ekaladerhan left the royal court with his warriors. Attractions in the city include the National Museum, the Oba Palace, Igun Street (Famous for bronze casting and other metal works). The Benin City National Museum is a national museum in Benin City, Nigeria. Also by 500 AD, iron was in use by the inhabitants of the Benin territory. After that time, the kingdom no longer played a governing role in West Africa. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano and Ibadan, with a total population of 1,782,000 as of 2021. Excavations at the city have revealed that it was once surrounded by high earthworks but, as there are many gaps, it is not thought that these were for a defensive purpose. Ewuare also rebuilt the capital (present-day Benin City), … The four top-ranking contenders following the first round presidential elections were Mathieu Kérékou (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore Soglo (former president) 27.1%, Adrien Houngbédji (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno Amoussou (Minister of State) 8.6%. Jahrhunderts zerstört. The last of these brought to power Major Mathieu Kérékou as the head of a regime professing strict Marxist-Leninist principles. Thomson Gale, 2006. In recent years, various appeals have gone to the British government to return such artifacts. Today, the region is one of the most politically stable in West Africa and continues to overcome the torrid legacies of its past. 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. Secondary schools in Nigeria are, among others, Edo College, 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, Headquarters of Word of Faith Group of Schools, Lydia Group of Schools, Nosakhare Model Education Centre and Igbinedion Educational Center, Federal Government Girls College, Benin City, Paragon Comprehensive College, and Itohan Girls Grammar School. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere, his eldest son. Igodo, the first Ogiso, wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. [5] Ọọni of Ifẹ. [4], National Assembly elections took place in March 2003 and were generally considered to be free and fair. [3] Some of the bronzes were auctioned off to compensate for the expenses incurred during the invasion of the city. Kérékou's principal opponent at the presidential poll, and the ultimate victor, was Prime Minister Nicéphore Soglo. Under the French, a port was constructed at Cotonou, and railroads were built. A new ruler, Oba Eweka II, was instituted in 1914 and he established the Benin Arts Council in the mid-1920s. 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. Benin City was the principal city of the Edo (Bini) kingdom of Benin (flourished 13th–19th century). In the early 16th century, the Ọba sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and the King of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to Benin. [4] Prince Ọranmiyan took up residence in the palace built for him at Uzama by the elders, now a coronation shrine. Others argue that this story is just a cover-up and that Oranyan's rise to power was most likely the result of an invasion. This name would be reinterpreted by the Portuguese as "Benin" in their own language. These elections resulted in a loss of seats by RB—the primary opposition party. Following Nigeria's independence from British rule in 1960, Benin City became the capital of Mid-Western Region when the region was split from Western Region in June 1963; it remained the capital of the region when the region was renamed Bendel State in 1976, and became the state capital of Ẹdo State when Bendel was split into Delta and Edo states in 1991. The Benin City walls have been known to Westerners since around 1500. Alternatively, Yorubas believe Oduduwa was from the Middle East and migrated from that area to the present Ile Ife. It has often been remarked that the Benin Bronzes are some of the best examples of sculptures pro… located in the city centre on King's Square.The museum has a significant number of artifacts related to the Benin Empire such as terracotta, bronze figures and cast iron pieces.
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