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Nigeria is one of the most art-oriented countries in Africa. It consists of many different tribes who possess different unique cultural artistic styles and tastes. One of those places is Edo state. Known as the heartbeat of the nation, Edo state is located in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. Benin City, its capital, is inhabited by the Bini people who, apart from other exciting forms of art they are involved in, specialise in a different but unique form of art-Bronze casting and sculpture-related artworks.  The map below shows where Nigeria can be found in Africa, with a detail of the Edo state.

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Although the bronze below dates from the seventeenth century, The Bini kingdom has reigned since as far back as 1440 when the great Oba Ewaere ruled. Since that time, Bini artworks were created in exaltation of the Oba and his court and to date Bini artworks have a great connection to the Bini monarchy .  If not connected to royalty it is usually something related to the everyday life or the parables and proverbs of the Bini. Below are a few examples of likely subjects of an Edo-made artwork.

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The Rooster

The rooster is a bird some people would know as just a male fowl but it is a little bit more than that. It is a fully matured male fowl; mature enough to cry “cock-a doodle-doo!!!” But the features this creature portrays have a deeper meaning to the bini people. The rooster is popular for waking up people in the morning, being brave in the midst of its enemies and having a sense of responsibility over other fowls in its immediate territory. They make artworks of this creature to have as an idol.  It is known to the people that in the household, folklore and court life that the rooster can be a sacrificial animal, the leader of the barnyard and a spy.

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Known as Okpa in Edo language, its name is given to the King’s senior wife -usually the first wife – who is in charge of all feminine activities in the palace, in charge of the King’s other wives and the palace maids and so on. Paintings and sculptures of a rooster still reside in many shrines of significance. The picture below is an example of a Bini sculpture of a rooster.

This particular rooster, a court style 18th century sculpture shows the broad use of surface patterns and a technical proficiency in lost-wax casting that shows the uniqueness  of the Bini Kingdom brass casters.

The Bini Woman

Edo men appreciate and respect their wives. In the mid 16th century Oba Esigie gave his mother, Idia, the title of the “Iye-Oba”-meaning mother of the King-one of the messages was to encourage the people to treat women with respect and love.

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The picture of a young female above illustrates a role instead of a specific person – that is how most Edo artworks are created. They are not just a stone copy of something which is likely worth remembering but an artwork made to signify a unique subject. Popular to the Edo people, the crest hairstyle and the coral bead jewellery identify her as the Queen’s maid or a link to the royal family.  The second latter shows female figures holding gongs which again suggests an association with an Iye-Oba.

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 The Oba

Most of Bini artworks, as stated above, have always been made in exaltation of the King so it isn’t surprising to find out that the Oba’s palace contains lots of art which are made for different purposes.  Some are made as idols in representation of their beliefs and culture; some are made in honour and memory of the departed while some are made for decoration – perhaps to showcase the unique craftiness of the Edo people. Below is an example of an artwork made in relation to royalty.

The King’s Head

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The appearance of the King, in addition to his majestic posture and excellent non-wavering movement, is tinted with coral beads.  Every piece of the crown, the necklace has a touch of design-mostly with coral beads. The picture above, for example, is an 18th century artwork illustrating a brief detail of what the Oba’s crown looks like on his head.  Below is a statue of the Oba in Benin City.  This is situated right in the middle of the city and stands  as a testament to this ancient and powerful monarch.

Image via Wikipedia