Benin

Question 1

How did military strength contribute to Benin’s rise?

Answer 1

• Oba Ewuare led 20,000 soldiers, conquered 201 towns (Ibo, Ijo, Lagos Lagoon)
• tribute from vassal states increased state revenue to finance palace officials, festivals, admin
• firearms via Portuguese in late 15th century (Ozolua and Esigie)
• Esigie used Portuguese support in war against Igala but maintained religious independence - expanded into Lagos without European weapons
• wars commemorated in art e.g plaques of Oba in battle gear
• BUT bureaucracy and loyalty essential for long term sustainability

Question 2

How did material culture reinforce the authority of the Oba in Benin?

Answer 2

• coral regalia symbolised divine connection between Oba and Olokun (god of sea & prosperity) = spiritual legitimacy
• red flannel cloth & coral beads part of Oba’s ceremonial dress
• brass plaques and ivory heads commemorated past Obas, placed in shrines to connect present ruler to ancestral spirits
• Igue festival reinforced the Oba’s spiritual powers
• Ugie festivals dedicated to Oba’s sacred ancestors
• Portuguese visitors stunned by aesthetic grandeur of Edo and palace, a “city within a city”
  -> ideological unification, divine kingship

Question 3

How did the administrative system ensure political stability in Benin?

Answer 3

• 3 palace departments: iwebo (festivals & regalia), iwegune (palace logistics) and ibiwe (royal family issues)
• 3 political groups: uzama (kingmakers), palace chiefs, town chiefs
• Ewuare creates Edaiken (crown prince) to stop succession disputes
• chiefs collected tribute + Edo had central high court for criminal justice
• cowries used for tax collection: stable economy = stable gov

Question 4

How did geography contribute to Benin’s success?

Answer 4

• fertile region: Beni pepper, cloth, ivory, yams, palm oil
• NIger river: internal trade and access to coast
• Gwaton port gave Oba access to European goods e.g. cowries, brass, firearms
• mangrove swamps defended against invasion

Question 5

How did trade with Europeans impact Benin’s economy and state structure?

Answer 5

• Portuguese introduced cowries and manilas - transforms Benin into a monetised system
• trade regulation: chief of Gwaton alerts Oba on European ships - Iwebo officials and merchants sent, prices negotiated over days
• trade helped expand royal bureaucracy and fund military campaigns
• restrictions on sale of male slaves, slave trade taboo in Edo culture - Benin focuses on cloth trade
• negatively impacted when Dutch & Indian suppliers challenge Benin’s cloth monopoly

Question 6

Why did Benin’s involvement in the slave trade weaken the kingdom over time?

Answer 6

• banned sale of male slaves from 1530-1700
• slaves trade only in peripheral towns
• neighbouring states e.g. Allada embraced slave trade, gained firearms, stopped paying tribute - weakens Oba’s dominance
• by 1700, European demand for cloth declined, cowrie shortages cause inflation

Question 7

What were the key achievements of Oba Ewuare?

Answer 7

• created titles e.g. iwebo (systematic governance), edaiken (crown prince - stabilised dynasty)
• conquered 201 towns
• introduced strict rituals e.g. no direct eye contact with Oba - elevated is status

Question 8

What were the key achievements of Oba Ozolua?

Answer 8

• led over 200 military campaigns, expanded Benin westwards to coastal areas e.g. initiated presence in Lagos by installing a Benin prince - control over trade routes & tribute
• actively engaged with Portuguese merchants and missionaries - diplomacy = firearms, brass, European tutors for his sons
• considered baptism, but ultimately refused to convert to Christianity - preserved spiritual legitimacy whilst leveraging trade benefits

Question 9

What were the key achievements of Oba Esigie?

Answer 9

• sent multiple ambassadors to Lisbon - his son became the 1st African ambassador to the Portuguese court = prestige, trade access, firearms
• defeated Igala kingdom - prevented rivals from undermining coastal influence e.g. Lagos
• relied on traditional military systems
• allowed Christian missionaries, but royal rituals and Olokun worship remained
• enslaved war captives in internal system, bur resisted involvement in transatlantic slave trade - centralised trade & power