Wealthy businessman and political novice patrice talon was elected to a fiveyear presidential term in 2016 on a cleangovernment platform. In the late 1800s, the benin empire in africa was a hotbed of artistic skill and the british wanted a piece of it as many pieces as they could steal, in fact. This album explores some of the issues surrounding interpretation and display of bronze sculptures originating in benin in west africa. French colonial rule and subsequent close ties with france have left a deep impact on all aspects of cultural life, especially among the educated segments of the population and in the southern cities.
Benin is one of the west african countries that have adopted the agricultural policy of the economic community of west african states ecowas in 2005, to ensure food security, economic and social development and poverty reduction in the region. Benin history, language and culture history of benin. The kingdom of benin, also known as the benin kingdom, was a precolonial kingdom in what. Application to replace permanent resident card pdf 98 kb. A city, among its definitions, means a large town, corporation representing any of the mediaeval trade guilds, that is, a mediaeval association providing for the. The kingdom of benin was well known to european traders and merchants during the 16th and 17th centuries, when it became wealthy partly due to trading in slaves.
After dressing for ugie erha oba, the ceremony that honors his paternal ancestors, the oba washes his hands with water poured from an aquamanile in the form of a leopard, such as this one. The african bronze art culture of the bight of benin and its influence. Eho festival of the benin culture is a yearly festival usually celebrated in the month of september in honour of ancestral parents. The well know travel books just include benin as one of the many countries located in africa and contains tiny little writing and small black and white maps that are nearly impossible to see. Before 1975, the republic of benin was known as dahomey, its french colonial name. Ceremonial robes, and festivals were given in favor of gods and goddesses. Despite a recent downward trend, the poverty rate remains high, at 46. Benin artifacts are among the most exquisite and coveted in worlds history and the kingdom of benin ramains famous for its sophistication in social engineering and organization. It is bordered by togo to the west, nigeria to the east, burkina faso to the northwest, and niger to the northeast.
Benin was the seat of one of the great medieval african kingdoms. Benin overview customs and culture diet and recipes language religion interesting facts. May 31, 2018 despite the tumultuous political past of benin coupled with the low economic growth because of the strife, the culture has not yet been affected at all. We can get an idea of the kingdoms grandeur and accomplishments from the bronze plaques commissioned by the kings obas to commemorate and record achievements during their reign. Exploring the visual arts of the benin kingdom of africa 2. Media in category culture of benin the following 73 files are in this category, out of 73 total. Contesting the history of benin kingdom article pdf available in research in african literatures 3. Music was also a passion in the benin kingdom, the muscial instruments included some of the same things used today, sticks, drums, and then thumb pianos. The empire of benin and its cultural heritage revealing. But what were the beautiful benin bronzes and did the current queen of england really fence stolen goods. This paper focuses on benin mythology, with particular emphasis on the cult and.
But a strong culture can also stifle the kind of questioning and experimentation that leads to change. Further information on benin customs may be obtained at. Learn more about the history, geography, and culture of benin in this article. Literature in benin had a strong oral tradition long before french became the dominant language. The benin kingdom situated in southcentral nigeria dates to approximately 900 a. Oranmiyan, the son of the oni king of ife, was sent to benin city where he wed a benin woman. The video explores the academic dilemmas behind decisions that.
The cuisine of benin is know for its exotic ingredients. History, language and culture in benin world travel guide. An analysis of the land access issue in republic of benin. Three years after the coup that brought major kerekou to power, the name was changed to the peoples republic of benin, reflecting the marxistleninist ideology of the new government. The benin kingdom was one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal hinterland of west africa, it was formed around. For example, automatically defaulting to culture can lead to a false sense of security. The correct history of edo history and culture of the edo. The akabaikpoleki festival had already completed celebrations. Find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Neighboring countries include burkina faso, niger, nigeria, and togo. Between 2003 and 2014 benin surpassed the 6% growth target only in 2008 and 2014.
In the early 20th century with the european modern movement in art, the avantgarde, youve started to get the beginnings of a new relationship to the material culture of the rest of the. A onestopshop for customs clearance, the societe dexploitation du guichet unique segub, has been operational in benin since 2011. During the th century, the indigenous edo people were run by a group of local chieftains. Culture and tradition are inseparable in the daily lives of people of benin. Changing relations between europe and africa ii, aa100 book 3, chapter 2. The geography of benin is mostly flat with sandbanks that make access to the coast difficult. Republique du benin and formerly known as dahomey, is a country in west africa. What impact would the above attitudes have on the workplace. Benin republic of benin country profile west africa. Develop your knowledge and understanding of world history by finding out about the history of the kingdom of benin. Intact most modern industries in the world started from the family circle, that are today known all over the world. However, there is also the view that the oba does not have carnal knowledge. Each ethnic group also has its own centuriesold tradition, which itself often mixes with the french influence. Benin overview customs and culture diet and recipes language religion interesting facts people government politics geography economy news weather history photos video travel sources home activities united states edition spanish edition french edition german edition sample country glossary.
Here a tourist will experience the real excitement of contemporary life and profound sense of history. Present day benin was the site of dahomey, a prominent west african kingdom that rose in the 15th century. Benin is a small country in west africa with a coastline on the bight of benin. Unique benin content for tourists, students, business or those interested in our world.
Use the flipchart or powerpoint to explore the link between the yoruba and edo people, and the stories behind the first oba. Some women are reluctant to believe in womens rights. The kingdom of benin was well known to european traders and merchants during the 16th and. The culture and traditions of beninese people unseen benin. Here, oba akenzua stands triumphantly on an elephant holding a miniature ukhurhe and a stone axe head, an object associated with warfare and death. Benin was a french colony from the late 19th century until 1960. National economy, ethnic relations and history, religion, ethnic cultural differences, government and leadership. Briefly describe the local cultures attitudes regarding the following. How can objects like these throw light on the relationship of our culture to other cultures, both in the past and in the present.
The city and guilds of great benin culture came from the early civilization growth of art and technology of the edo people that had developed vast skills known to the ancient world. The city of benin was burnt to the ground and the obas palace was destroyed and looted of its magnificent and valuable bronze and ivory sculptures which were sold off to pay for the expedition. How prezi does project status updates with a distributed workplace. The kingdom of benin, also known as the benin kingdom, was a precolonial kingdom in what is now southern nigeria. Presentation mode open print download current view. Benin was once a great african kingdom, but it was transformed into the largest supplier of humans for the slave trade. However, by the 15th century, a single ruler, known as the oba, had asserted control. Cultural information benin centre for intercultural learning. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading history and culture of benin republic. May 08, 2014 culture and tradition are inseparable in the daily lives of people of benin. Despite the tumultuous political past of benin coupled with the low economic growth because of the strife, the culture has not yet been affected at all. Given this characterization of the benin culture, it might be understood that. Learn about the ancient kingdom of benin, where was it a when did it begin.
Aug 24, 2014 august 30, 2014 at 2pm 1003 1st ave, charleston, wv 23502 charleston. They really dont show or explain the real background of the country or how it operates today. There are over 1,000 benin bronzes in various public and private collections, many in germany and the usa, and around 200 at the british museum. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of mathieu kerekou and the establishment of a. The correct history of edo history and culture of the. Le benin perpetue une riche tradition culturelle seculaire.
Benin is one of africas smallest countries, and displays little fluctuation in elevation. Benin 2014 human rights report executive summary benin is a constitutional democracy. Culture of benin history, people, clothing, women, beliefs. Benins economy is heavily reliant on the informal reexport and transit trade with nigeria estimated at approximately 20% of gdp, and on agriculture. It closes and opens with agricultural rites when the old yam tubers and grains are near harvesting. If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains. It is not to be confused with benin, the postcolonial nation state. Why we must document benin historical facts, culture.
Edo state is the heartbeat of nigeria and the cultural hub and crossroads of the country. The kingdom of benin was established in 40bc and was at its height and glory between the 14th and the 16th centuries. The intricacies of benin bead motifs their place in. All of the forms listed below are in pdf format and require a pdf viewer to open. Pdf of all the west african societies, the kingdom of benin is the one most. Despite the british abuse of bini culture and marginalization of bini history, the spendour of edo civilization continues to this day to astound and exite the world.
This can be observed through the daily life of beninese people and whether you are in towns and villages of the south, north, east, west or central benin. Benin city is the capital and largest city of edo state in southern nigeria. The relationship between benin and the european traders on the changed during the 18th and 19th centuries, as european governments increased their control of areas of the coast. History of benin information powerpoint teacher made. The book argues, inter alia, that the culture of benin at the time of european. The king commissioned royal regalia to emphasize his power. Thats a distinct possibility for any company whose culture becomes so ingrained that it forms a barrier to innovation and change. Read and learn for free about the following article.
In 2011 president boni yayi won a second, and final, fiveyear term in multiparty elections. The kingdom of benins capital was edo, now known as benin city in edo state. Primitive art has become world culture, and the benin bronzes stands as evidence of a shared human history. Significance of the mudfish in the benin culture by. In benin, elephants are a traditional symbol of chiefdom and, according to benin oral literature, iyase node had the ability to change himself into an elephant to vanquish his enemies. The kingdom of benin if youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. The wooded savannah of the plateau continues on into the foot. The dahomey kingdom was known for its culture and traditions. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In the 2011 legislative elections, president yayis supporting coalition, cowry force for an emerging benin, won.
It is also acclaimed internationally for the quality of. The culture is eclectic, largely a result of many different ethnic groups in the country, but is also strongly connected to the often misunderstood and misrepresented voodoo religion. The best of architecture in benin, africa culture trip. The city and guilds of great benin culture are family heritage which should have been harnessed with modern art and technology. Title the benin kingdom kyoto university research information. The kingdom of benin s capital was edo, now known as benin city in edo state. Who is the oba of benin kingdom in nigeria and why is he so. Discover the best and latest articles about architecture in benin, africa. The train is much slower than other forms of public transportation, but is more scenic and comfortable. The first, or ogiso, dynasty lasted until 1170, at which time yoruba rule was imposed from the city of ife.
Cultural information benin centre for intercultural. Owing to the welcome given to the first edition in the vernacular of the short history, i have endeavoured in this english version to meet the needs of foreigners who do not understand the benin language, but are anxious to know its history. The term voice is here used to describe the point of view that museums make. The benin culture, and practice of arts spread throughout trade. Are ancient sculptures ethnographic artefacts or works of art. The majority of its population lives on the small southern coastline of.
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