2. Development of the Kingdom of Benin

Question 1

Who appointed governors for provinces, often sending troublesome family members far away?

Answer 1

1500-1700: The Oba appointed governors from his family, sending troublesome members to govern distant provinces.

Question 2

What did provinces provide to the Palace twice a year?

Answer 2

1500-1700: Provinces provided manpower, food, and tribute to the Palace twice a year.

Question 3

What symbol of rule was sent to provinces, and what did its rejection signify?

Answer 3

1500-1700: Chalk was sent as a symbol of rule; if rejected, the province was declared in revolt and reprisals taken.

Question 4

What indicated a province was in revolt?

Answer 4

1500-1700: Rejection of chalk or failure to pay tribute signified revolt, leading to reprisals.

Question 5

When did Benin request Portuguese military assistance?

Answer 5

1514: Benin asked Portugal for military assistance.

Question 6

When did the Portuguese fight on the side of Benin?

Answer 6

1516: The Portuguese fought on Benin’s side.

Question 7

What condition did the Portuguese impose for supplying firearms?

Answer 7

Early 1500s (c.1514): Portugal would supply cannons only if the Oba converted to Christianity.

Question 8

How did the Oba respond to the firearms condition by Portugal?

Answer 8

Early 1500s: Conversion was impossible due to the Oba’s reliance on personal cults, so firearms were not provided.

Question 9

What action did the Oba take regarding a Portuguese cannon?

Answer 9

1513/14: The Oba ordered the seizure of a Portuguese cannon by force, showing the fleeting nature of the alliance.

Question 10

What was the size of Benin’s standing army by the 17th century?

Answer 10

By the 17th century (1600s): Standing army numbered 20,000.

Question 11

What was the size of Benin’s reserve forces by the 17th century?

Answer 11

By the 17th century (1600s): Reserve forces numbered 80,000–100,000.

Question 12

Who traditionally declared war in Benin?

Answer 12

Before 16th century: The Oba traditionally declared war.

Question 13

Who decided on war by the 16th century?

Answer 13

16th century: The iyase (Premier or Prime Minister) who led town chiefs decided on war.

Question 14

Who led the Benin army in battle?

Answer 14

By 16th-17th centuries: The army was led by the owe-asary (commander in chief).

Question 15

How did nobles and commoners participate in warfare?

Answer 15

1500-1700: Nobles and commoners fought alongside each other in battle.

Question 16

What characterized Benin bronzes in terms of craftsmanship and purpose?

Answer 16

1500-1700: Bronzes were sophisticated artworks commissioned by Obas to celebrate their rule, relying on interconnectedness between cities and regions.

Question 17

How did bronze plaques function at the Benin court?

Answer 17

1500-1700: Bronze plaques served as official histories and mnemonics for court chroniclers, the Ihogbe and the Ogboka.

Question 18

What was the symbolism behind the shape of Benin soldiers’ swords?

Answer 18

1500-1700: Swords shaped like leaves represented the power of axé (life-force).

Question 19

What material adorned Benin helmets, indicating its importance?

Answer 19

1500-1700: Helmets were cast with cowries, revealing their importance to the kingdom.

Question 20

What technique was used for casting bronze and copper?

Answer 20

Pre-1500s and stimulated by Portuguese contact: Lost-wax method was used for casting bronze and copper.

Question 21

How were casters regarded in Benin society?

Answer 21

1500-1700: Casters formed a high-ranking and prestigious palace guild.

Question 22

Which palace guilds existed besides casters?

Answer 22

1500-1700: Other palace guilds included ivory and wood carvers (igbesanmwan), leather workers (iskepori), and beadmakers (evisen).

Question 23

How did Portuguese trade affect Benin craft expansion?

Answer 23

Early 1500s onward: Portuguese trade stimulated craft expansion with an influx of copper manilas as currency.

Question 24

What effect did Portuguese shipments of cowries have?

Answer 24

Early 1500s onward: Portuguese brought cowries from the Maldive Islands, stimulating trade, taxation, and fiscal development.

Question 25

What were the main early trade goods exchanged by Benin by 1505?

Answer 25

By 1505: Exchanged cotton cloths, leopard skins, palm oil, and coral beads for brass and copper manilas.

Question 26

How was tax collected in Benin during early European trade?

Answer 26

Early 1500s: Tax was collected in cowries (shells).

Question 27

How did Benin provision passing European ships in the 1520s?

Answer 27

By the 1520s: Benin produced yams, wood, and water to provision passing European ships.

Question 28

What taxation system began in the 1660s affecting trade to Arda, Benin, and Lagos?

Answer 28

From the 1660s: One-third of all goods traded to Arda, Benin, and Lagos had to be in the form of cowries.

Question 29

When did trade in firearms begin for Benin?

Answer 29

From the 1690s: Trade in firearms began.

Question 30

What competition affected Benin cloth producers by the 1700s?

Answer 30

By the 1700s: Competition from Dutch trade in the Indies challenged Benin cloth monopoly, leading to demand drop and economic decline.

Question 31

Which ports eclipsed Benin in importance as trade centers?

Answer 31

By the 1700s: Benin River ports eclipsed Benin City in importance as trade centers.

Question 32

What was Benin’s policy on slave trading from 1530?

Answer 32

1530: Ban on trading male slaves, reflecting resistance to slave trade to preserve military manpower.

Question 33

How did Benin interact with passing slave ships during the ban?

Answer 33

1500-1700: Slave ships passing through were provisioned from Benin’s supplies of wood and water.

Question 34

When did Benin begin dealing in slaves after initial resistance?

Answer 34

By the 1730s: Benin began dealing in slaves.