Benin City is one of the oldest cities in Nigeria, dating back to pre-colonial times. It boasted one of the most advanced and organised kingdoms before the arrival of the British. The city used to be the capital of the old Bendel state until this was divided into Edo and Delta. Benin City is the capital of Edo state.
The original people and founders of the Benin Empire, the Edo people, were initially ruled by the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) dynasty who called their land Igodomigodo. The rulers or kings were commonly known as Ogiso. 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 Oba sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and the King of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to Benin. Many Portuguese loan words can still be found today in the languages of the area.
On 17 February 1897, Benin City fell to the British in the "Punitive Expedition", in which a 1,200-strong British force conquered and razed the city after all but two men from a previous British expeditionary force were killed. Until then, Benin City had been known for its impressive architecture, including its city walls that were said to be four times as long as the Great Wall of China, but these were all destroyed by the British in the 1897 expedition. The Benin Bronzes, portrait figures, busts and groups created in iron, carved ivory, and especially in brass, were taken from the city by the British and are displayed in various British museums. Some of the bronzes were auctioned off to compensate for the expenses incurred during the invasion of the city. Various appeals have been made to the British government to return such artifacts. The capture of Benin paved the way for British military occupation and the merging of later regional British conquests into the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.
Since Nigeria's independence from British rule in 1960, Benin City has been a regional capital.
- Benin City National Museum. While much of the cultural heritage of Benin has been looted and now resides in British Museum, there are still several interesting artifacts displayed, reflecting the rich history and culture of the Edo people and Benin kingdom.
Benin City National Museum. While much of the cultural heritage of Benin has been looted and now resides in [[British Museum]], there are still several interesting artifacts displayed, reflecting the rich history and culture of the Edo people and Benin kingdom.
Suya (Nigerian equivalent of a barbecue) but much better!
Edo people love pounded yam and obgolo soup (draw soup).
Palm wine from local palm wine tappers. Bottled palm wine does not taste as good.