3 - Benin Essay Plans 

THE RISE OF BENIN

  • geography: located on slave coast, surrounded by mangroves making it harder to invade, located in modern day Nigeria and Cameroon, Gwaton Port, expanded to Lagos Lagoon BUT surrounding mangrove did not completely protect against invasion (Idah invasion 1515) and other surrounding kingdoms gained more benefit from coastal situation via slave trade (e.g. Allada)
  • military strength: military assistance from Portugal, 20,000 soldiers in a day, iyase, naval fleet, Obas as magician warriors, 201 towns and 200 battles BUT Esigie was dependent on Portuguese firearms and relationship with Portugal was in fluctuation
  • trade: successful trade relationship with Portuguese, Beni pepper food cloth wood, gained iron allowing for agriculture didn’t trade slaves so retained manpower, vassal states BUT Portuguese stockpiled cowrie shells in Sao Tome from 1409, caused inflation (price of slave rose by 15% in 1522, 200% by the time of the sugar revolution) no longer needed spice after the Indian spice trade

THE DEVELOPMENT OF BENIN:

  • the Oba’s personal power: divine right, record from Andreas Ulsheimer, expanded Benin (Igbo and Ijo, Lagos Lagoon), could claim tributes from other kingdoms BUT power fell at the end of Ewuare’s reign as he enforced puritanical rules, mass exodus from Benin
  • military: could raise an army of 20,000, was the supreme commander until 1606, 201 towns conquered and 200 battles according to oral sources BUT difficult relationship with Portuguese, used in invasion of Idah but Catholicism was never adopted causing tensions
  • trade: traded Beni pepper, ivory, food, located on the slave coast, gained iron as currency allowing for agricultural expansion BUT didn’t trade slaves, when they did there was major inflation (15% in 1522, 200% during sugar revolution), Indian spice trade reduced demand for Beni pepper

THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OBA EWUARE COMPARED TO ANY OTHER OBA

  • military achievements: conquered 201 towns, expanded to Igbo and Ijo and Lagos Lagoon, initial expansion of Benin was important BUT Ozolua also won 200 battles (oral histories), was known as aggressive and war-like, Esigie managed to expand army to include Portuguese mercenaries who helped win the Invasion of Idah in 1515
  • domestic stability: reputation as a magician warrior, descended from Oranmiyan, red cloth and coral, created edaiken title to stabilize succession created State council roles BUT huge domestic instability at end of his reign, when two sons killed each other, purification laws, mass exodus from Benin, Esigie created role of Queen Mother for Idia but ultimately Ewuare ensured succession, was powerful
  • relationship with Europeans: arguably he was weaker in this area, made initial contact, gained wealth from coastal trade (Beni pepper, water, wood, live dogs, palm oil) BUT other obas made far stronger connections such as Esigie who gained Portuguese mercenaries to fight in the Idah invasion (had to introduce Christianity for this and it was never successfully adopted)

THE DECLINE OF BENIN

  • the Iyase and administration: Ewuakpe (1700-1712) was deposed by the iyase at the time (who gained the title of Okhuen/conqueror of many kings) had increasing power from the reign of Ehengbuda after the oba no longer had military power BUT never sought to completely depose the Oba, simply replace them, Ewuakpe was able to return and regain power but they were still a significant challenge to the oba’s power
  • royal strength and succession: fourteen different Obas between 1608 and 1700, increasingly negative oral histories such as Okuan being accused of being born female, Oranmiyan’s bloodline dying out delegitimized the obas and lost their spiritual power BUT Ewuakpe restored primogeniture, Akengbuda reigned for fifty four years (1750-1804), royal power returned to somewhat stability
  • trade: left the Oba’s control partially by 1590 and completely by 1600, transitioned from Beni pepper and ivory to slaves and salt, decentralization of wealth away from the oba causing a loss of power BUT this new wealth was never centralized into the hands of another individual, things like cloth were widely produced meaning the new wealth was widespread