Benin

factors in expansion of Benin

military, gov and administration and geography

military in Benin success

Ewuare’s 201 towns and villages, raise army of 20k in day, led army until C17, complex mechanism to exact tribute as expanded, tribute units in yorubaland- bale-kale reinforced payment

importance of military

aided in expansion, future stability (leaders established were allies), needed wealth to gift nobility, means of attaining and rewardign supporters, finance patronage

government and administrative development

ewuare’s edaiken re-emphaisised Ozolua and Ewuakpe, protect against religious coup -removed hereditary leaders from gov, new chiefs (eghaevo n’ore, n’ogbe, uzama), tax collection/civil disputes

importance of admin and politcal development

unified support for oba, provided means of more effective governance, sense of legitimacy, reduced discontent and more loyalty

geographical advantage

fertile land (Beni pepper, woven cloth, palm oil), access to ports e.g. Gwaton, European contact (by 1470s, 1485 Edo), well developed hinterland, Edo 30km from coast, rainforest and mangrove swamp

importance of geography

wide base for trade, in position to a direct trading relationship with eu- avoid slave trade, limited opportunities for invasion

economic success before european contact

regional trade (controlled riverin routes for 100s years got revenue far, acted as middle trader (cotton and semi-precious stone beads), economic success due to geography

importance of Europeans

increased circulation of cowrie shells (indian ocean)-stimulated economy, expanded supply of iron (agricultural production, better tools from early C17)

negatives of Europeans

slave trade more important from c1650, led to reduced prosperity as europeans focussed elsewhere, native currencies in form of manillas used before (relations already well-established)

Ewuare administrative

edaiken (ozolua and ewuakpe), region transformed (coup), removal from hereditary titles, chiefs (eghavo n’ore, n’ogbe-efficiency, uzama-legitimacy)

Ozolua administrative

reintroducing 1st son rule, allocated dukedoms to other sons

Esigie administrative

created title of iyoba (queen mother)-strengthened oba’s position, cult provided spiritual backing to power of oba

Ewuare military

201 towns (around niger river)- aided in expansion, established leaders were allies, complex strucutres of tribute

Orhogbua military

coastal lands up to Lagos 1550s, military defence point, perm garrison, title of ezomo for maritime commander- closely moniter beninis most important camp, used as training ground, means to protect interior for exploring lagoon

Ewuare religious and economic

annual royal rituals, coral, olukun cult, improvements to capital, fortifications (Dutch explorers), first contact with Euro c1475 Edo

Esigie economic

diplomatic and trade relations with portugal, profitable trade (pepper textiles, ivory, protected edo from slave trade)