Benin Art and the Oba

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture about the Benin kingdom and its art.

Oba

The word for king in the Benin kingdom.

Benin

A kingdom in present-day Nigeria, founded around the year 900.

Coral beads

Used in the Oba's crown and regalia, symbolizing wealth and power.

Mudfish

A creature that can survive in two worlds; represents resilience and adaptability in Benin art.

Triadic symmetry

A common motif in Benin art where a central figure is flanked by two symmetrical figures.

Royal treasury

The wealth accumulated by the Benin kingdom, a significant part of which was taken by British forces in 1897.

COPPER

Medium of exchange in Benin; symbolizing wealth.

Audience hall

The space where visitors would meet the Oba, adorned with impressive plaques.

Relief sculpture

A technique used in the plaques to give a three-dimensional appearance.

Odigba

A high coral collar worn by important courtiers in the Benin court.

Symbol of power

Leopards held by the Oba symbolize strength and authority.

Gleaming bronze plaques

Cast items that were originally polished and would shine in sunlight, recently darkened by oil.

King Esigie

A significant king who commissioned a series of plaques to illustrate his power and court.

King Ewuare II

The current reigning king, whose dynasty can be traced back to around the year 1250.