Benin Empire

Introduction
The Benin Empire started in 1180.  It lasted 4 over 700 years!  It was involved in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.  It was ruled by a monarchy and had a very strong military.  There were many tribes in the Benin Empire.  They had their own traditional religion.  The artwork of the Benin Empire was magnificent!  There is a Yoruba connection.

History
The Benin Empire started out as a kingdom.  It became an empire in 1440.  It had a capital city called Benin. Oba Ewuare created the empire of Benin.  He was a 'great magician and warrior.'  Walls were created around the Benin Kingdom and they were over 4000 feet long!  Benin had over 30 kings and it's still around. It is located in modern-day Central Nigeria.

Benin was first ruled by kings known as osigos.  The people didn't like them, so they asked Oranmiyan to rule over them.  He came to Benin and put his son in charge.  He rode a horse to Benin.  This was the first time people in that kingdom seen a horse.

The Benin Empire traded palm wine, pepper, and ivory with the Portuguese.  The Portuguese traded hemp and guns.  The King of Benin sent ambassadors to the King of Portugal.  The King of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to Benin.

Slaves were traded to the Portuguese and Dutch.  They traded only or mostly males.

The British destroyed the capital of Benin in 1897.  The empire fell after that.  The Brits stole most of the artwork in the capital of Benin.   A lot of buildings were burnt down.  The king was forced into exile.

Government
Oba: King of the Benin Empire.

Iyoba: Queen Mother.  Protector of the Oba.

Uzama: Council of the highest ranking Chiefs.

Eghaevbo n' Ore: They was a congress and advisors to the Oba.

Eghaevbo n' Ogbe: They were palace officials and advisors to the Oba.

Military
The first military in Benin was created by elephant hunters and security guards.  The Oba became the commander and chief.    

Ekaiwe: Royal Troops

Isienmwenro: Royal Guards

Iyase: General Commander

Ezomo: Senior War Commander

Edogun: War Chief

Ivbiyokuo Oredo: Metropolitan Army

Ivbiyokuo Ikinkin Agbon-Edo: Village Army

Tribes in Benin Empire
Edo: Tribe that founded the Benin Empire.

Esan: The kingdoms of this tribe were part of the Benin Empire.  They didn't have a military.

Afemai: They lived in Benin, but they left because of a tyrannical Oba.

There were many other tribes.

Traditional Religion
The religion of Benin Empire was like Ifa.

Art
There were great sculptors in the Benin Empire.  They were made out of coral, ivory, and brass.  There is an ivory mask of a great Iyoba.  She is the first Iyoba and their bronze head of her.  Leopards were frequent in royal art.  Pet leopards were kept in the palace.  Oba created ancestral altars dedicated to their parents. There were guilds of different types of artists.

Igun Eronmwon: Brass cast sculptors.

Igun Ematon: Blacksmiths

Igbesanwan: 'Wood and ivory carvers.'

Yoruba Connection
Oranmiyan the first Oba was the youngest son of Oduduwa.  Oduduwa was the first king of Yoruba. Orishas are worshiped by the Edo.  They may have common ancestors millennia ago.

Conclusion
The Benin Empire was amazing!!!!!!!!!  They have a rich history and culture.  Their religion is sweet.  They had a neat government and military.  They are related to other West Africans.  This is one of my favorite African empires.

References
http://www.edoworld.net/The_history_of_Benin.html
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/10/benin-city-of-tradition-and-culture/
http://africa.mrdonn.org/benin.html
http://www.everyculture.com/Africa-Middle-East/Edo.html
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Benin_Empire
http://www.fascinatingnigeriamagazine.com/2014/04/the-nine-ancient-gates-of-benin-culture/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin_art
http://www.nairaland.com/582176/benin-art-architecture
http://exceptionngr.blogspot.com/2008/08/historical-analogy-of-binis.html
http://ihuanedo.ning.com/group/healtheducation/forum/topics/edo-people-history-culture-and-civilization-images
http://www.edoworld.net/Edotourismwhattoeat.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3n7mp3
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/the-place-of-oranmiyan-in-the-history-of-ile-ife/
https://www.britishmuseum.org/PDF/british_museum_benin_art.pdf
https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/30084/1/the-benin-empire-the-past-the-present-and-the-futu.html
http://ediss.sub.uni-hamburg.de/volltexte/2001/544/pdf/Disse.pdf
http://www.edo-nation.net/toc.htm
http://iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol20-issue8/Version-2/B020820412.pdf
Benin Empire
Benin Culture
Queen Idia
Last Free Oba
Edo Outfits