→Who started the kingdom?←

The kingdom of Benin began in the 900s when the Edo people settled in the rainforests of West Africa.

At first, they lived in small family groups, but gradually these groups developed into a kingdom.

The kingdom was called Igodomigodo. It was ruled by a series of kings, known as Ogisos, which means ‘rulers of the sky’.↓

⇒How did the Obas come to rule?⇐

In the 1100s the Ogisos lost control of their kingdom.

The Edo people feared that their country would fall into chaos, so they asked their neighbour, the King of Ife, for help. The king sent his son Prince Oranmiyan to restore peace to the Edo kingdom.

Oranmiyan chose his son Eweka to be the first Oba of Benin. An Oba was a ruler.

By the 1400s Benin was a wealthy kingdom. The Obas lived in beautiful palaces decorated with shining brass.

This brass figure is believed to be Prince Oranmiyan. Edo legend says that no one in Benin had ever seen a horse before Oranmiyan arrived!How did Benin become an empire?

• Around 1440, Ewuare became the new Oba of Benin.
• He built up an army.
• He also rebuilt Benin City and the royal palace.

Oba Ewuare was the first of five great warrior kings. Find out more about them below.

This brass plaque shows the Oba, or King, of Benin and his attendants. Why do you think the Oba is shown to be much bigger than the other people? The plaque is on display at the British Museum.

Obas Ozolua and Esigie both encouraged trade with Europe.

Trade brought huge wealth to Benin and they used it to build up a vast army. Various goods were sold including ivory, palm oil, pepper.

Oba Ehengbuda was the last of the warrior kings. After his death in 1601, Benin’s empire gradually shrank in size.