Five interesting Facts about the Benin kingdom (Bonus post)


       Accolades, respect is given to the British monarch and other monarchs of the world, but none or less respect is given to the ancient kingdom of Benin in Nigeria. Although not yet rated as one of the oldest monarchs in the world, the Benin kingdom was one of the major powers in west Africa. According to Dr. Aisien a renowned surgeon and historian, "The institution of kingship in Benin is over 10 centuries old'. The kingdom was and is still famous for its bronze sculptures and artwork which shocked the colonialists on arriving at the kingdom.The Benin kingdom also practice 'First son only successor' as practiced in England.

   There are certain interesting facts about the Benin kingdom that you might find weird, but they reveal a lot about the culture and practices.


The weird church

Benin kingdom has the oldest church in West Africa and the oldest worship center in Africa. It was established by the Portuguese when they arrived the kingdom. The fun fact here is the cathedral is an unusual worship center, where both tradition and religion are practiced. The church is called 'Holy Aruosa Cathedral' and it's still in existence to date. Service at the church is conducted in the Bini language. The Holy Bible is not used in the church, the preaching is centered around reminding the congregation that the king (Oba) is God's representative on earth.


The queen mother ritual

Queen mothers in the Benin kingdom are considered a powerful protector of their sons. The queen's mother is the mother of the crown prince. They occupy a significant role within the Benin empire. 

     In the old Benin tradition, the ancient culture states that if a king is crowned, his mother must be eliminated as they were considered a threat to the future of the king. Queen Idia was the first queen mother to be alive to see her son becoming an Oba (king).


Love like no other.

We all gush about the story of Romeo and Juliet and the impact of their love, well, love like this existed in the great Benin kingdom in the 1700s. 

        A certain group of people celebrates a Queen who died for the love of her husband. Her name was Queen Iden. She was said to be the epitome of beauty, courage, love, support, and loyalty. She was born in Oka Benin now called Ikpoba Okha. She was one of the wives of Prince Idova who has crowned Oba (king), the 26th Oba of Benin who reigned for 12 years from 1700 to 1712. She offered herself out of love for her husband and the people for peace to reign in Benin. She was said to have been married for only four years and had no child. She was 27. 

   Trouble was said to have started for the king immediately after he was coronated. All the subjects of the kingdom revolted against him. This affected his chiefs, wives, maids, and guards as they all left him, and his palace was empty as the royal properties were seized. Only Queen Iden remained loyal to the king and stood by him.  She decided to consult an oracle on their predicaments, and the only solution from that was to offer a human sacrifice to appease the gods so peace could reign in Benin. No one was willing to give up their lives to help the king as those he trusted abandoned him, Queen Iden volunteered to offer herself for the oracle. 

     She was buried alive but before she was taken away, she made her husband promise her to keep her grave clean always and that anyone who steps on the grave must be killed on the spot. After the ritual, his adversaries called for a truce. The grave is still in existence to date.


The woman king.

 Women are sometimes regarded as the weaker vessel. Benin kingdom had outstanding women who made great impart, they were the embodiment of African beauty and femininity. The sculpture of Queen Idia is a popular sculpture that has been displayed in various museums across Europe. The woman king as I call her, Queen Idia, was the first female warrior that ever lived in the land of Benin.

     Benin kingdom practices the 'First son successor' law. But the first son who was going to reign after his father left the kingdom at an early age to Portugal. The second son who is Queen idia's son was groomed by his mother to take over the throne. Trouble started when the first son arrived, people in the palace could hardly recognize him. It was a battle for the throne. Queen Idia led an army to confront her stepson, she was victorious and made the Queen mother she Assisted her son in defeating his foes. She was one of the most 'well-known' female soldiers in all of Benin kingdom.


 Battle for the king's heart

When it comes to women there is no limit to the number of women the king of Benin can have as wives. The king can marry as many as 2-10 wives, and all the women bear him children but, in the custom, and tradition of the kingdom the son of the first wife is automatically crowned the next king when the king passes. Well except the first wife only bears daughters then the crown will shift to the first son of the second Wife. The first wife which is also the oldest wife is referred to as the Queen mother. Most times the Queen mothers are existing wives of the Oba(king) before they became monarchs. The Queens are not allowed to leave the palace on any occasion.


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