Until the late 19th century, the kingdom of Benin was a major power in Africa. Royal family goes back to 1200 but today they have no real power – but reverence around them remains. Kings are carried on carriages with umbrellas held over them, while children believe they have super powers

Until the late 19th century, the kingdom of Benin was a major power in Africa ruled by a royal family who can trace their history back to 1200AD.

Today the Kings of Benin, an area bordered by Nigeria and Togo, have no real power but the customs and reverence surrounding them remains, as French photographer Eric Lafforgue recently discovered when visiting the region.

His vibrant pictures reveal how the kings and their queen continue to command respect and are held in such wonder, local children even believe they have super powers of invisibility.

Eric explained to MailOnline how the royals have become something of a tourist attraction and still have some sway with politicians in the now democratic country. Locals will flock to see them when they go out in public and pose for pictures at their palaces.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE STORY AND PICTURES [url][/url]http://www.nairaroot.com/benin-kings-exotic-lifestyle/#.Vfj8IciL3IU

Vintage.

Nothing vintage here.

Plus the op wrote an article about an African state not as an African but from a western perspective.... Are the traditional rulers called kings? What powers do they lack? Edit this nonsense and write as the African you are and from a African perspective!
Locals a derogatory term for citizens
Hi kingreign

It's a good write-up with many beautiful pictures, well detailed and colorful. Just that the article is lot more westernized,all the same it's nice and help project the culture of Africa to the global world.

shegowill:
It's a good write-up with many beautiful pictures, well detailed and colorful. Just that the article is lot more westernized,all the same it's nice and help project the culture of Africa to the global world.

It's not projecting correctly.... In this way the op is trying hard not to connect with his own roots