Bini

History

• Pre-1000 CE: Igodomigodo city-state under Ogiso kings (sky rulers).
• 1180: Eweka I founds Oba dynasty after overthrowing last Ogiso.
• 1440–1504: Ewuare the Great expands empire, builds city walls and moats (longest ancient earthworks after Great Wall of China).
• 1504–1550: Ozolua the Conqueror wages 208 wars.
• 1600s: Peak bronze art; thousands of plaques and heads cast for Oba palace.
• 1897: British Punitive Expedition sacks Benin City, loots 4,000+ artworks (now in British Museum, Berlin, New York).
• 1963: Oba Akenzua II restored as ceremonial monarch under Nigeria.
• 1979: Oba Erediauwa crowned; reign until 2016.
• 2016–present: Oba Ewuare II (reinstated traditional coronations, repatriates looted bronzes).

Geography & settlements

Core area: Benin City (metro pop. 1.9 million) and 18 Local Government Areas in Edo South Senatorial District.
Diaspora: Lagos, Abuja, UK, USA, Germany.
Neighbours: Esan, Afemai, Urhobo, Ijaw, Yoruba.

Language

Edo (Bini) – Volta-Niger branch, tonal, SVO syntax.
- Script: Latin with diacritics (ẹ, ọ).
- Dialects: Benin City (standard), Ivbiosakon, Ugbeka.
- Vitality: 1.2 million L1 speakers; taught in schools, radio (EBS), Bible translated 1985.

Governance

• Traditional: Oba of Benin (Ewuare II, 40th Oba) assisted by:
  – Edaiken (crown prince)
  – Iyase (prime minister)
  – Uzama (seven kingmakers)
  – Eghaevbo orders (palace chiefs)
• Modern: Edo State Government, Benin City under Oredo LGA.

Economy

• Agriculture: yam, cassava, oil palm, rubber.
• Industry: Bendel Brewery, Guinness depot, Okomu Oil Palm.
• Trade: Oba Market, textile adire, beads.
• Tourism: National Museum, Oba Palace, Igun bronze street.
• Remittance: strong UK/USA diaspora.

Culture

Art

• Benin Bronzes: lost-wax castings (heads, plaques, bells) – UNESCO Memory of the World.
• Igun Street: 500-year-old bronze guild still active.
• Coral regalia: Oba’s beaded crowns weigh 2.5 kg.

Festivals

• Igue (December): 7-day harvest and head purification; Oba blesses land.
• New Yam (August).
• Eho Ohonba (Oba coronation rites).

Religion

• Traditional: Oba as divine; worship Osanobua (Supreme God), Olokun (sea), Ogun (iron).
• Christianity: 70 % (Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal).
• Islam: 5 %.

Cuisine

• Black soup (bitterleaf + multiple meats).
• Pounded yam with ogbono or egusi.
• Banga soup with starch.
• Owo soup (smoked fish).

Notable Bini people

• Oba Ewuare II (current monarch)
• Archbishop Margaret Idahosa (Pentecostal)
• Benson Idahosa (late evangelist)
• Odion Ighalo (footballer)
• Victor Osimhen (footballer)
• Blessing Okagbare (sprinter)
• Felix Idiga (businessman)
• Osas Ighodaro (actress)

Repatriation of artefacts

• 2018–2025: Germany returns 22 bronzes.
• 2022: USA (Smithsonian) returns 31.
• 2024: UK (Horniman Museum) returns 6.
• 2025: Benin Royal Museum (under construction) to house returns.

References

1. Wikipedia: Edo people
2. Edo State Government: edostate.gov.ng
3. Benin Moat Foundation: preservation project
4. British Museum: Benin Bronzes digital catalogue
5. Vanguard: Oba Ewuare II 8th coronation anniversary (Oct 2024)
6. The Guardian: Germany returns 22 artefacts (Dec 2022)
7. National Museum Benin: visitor guide 2025
8. Journal of African History: Ewuare’s walls (2023)
9. X posts: @ObaEwuareII, @EdoHeritage (2025)