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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Culture / The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC (9499 Views)
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Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 12:26am On Jun 02, 2023 |
UK Guardian Report on Ancient Benin Benin City was also one of the first cities to have a semblance of street lighting. Huge metal lamps, many feet high, were built and placed around the city, especially near the king’s palace. Fuelled by palm oil, their burning wicks were lit at night to provide illumination for traffic to and from the palace. When the Portuguese first “discovered” the city in 1485, they were stunned to find this vast kingdom made of hundreds of interlocked cities and villages in the middle of the African jungle. They called it the “Great City of Benin”... Indeed, they classified Benin City as one of the most beautiful and best planned cities in the world. In 1691, the Portuguese ship captain Lourenco Pinto observed: “Great Benin, where the king resides, is larger than Lisbon; all the streets run straight and as far as the eye can see. The houses are large, especially that of the king, which is richly decorated and has fine columns. The city is wealthy and industrious. It is so well governed that theft is unknown and the people live in such security that they have no doors to their houses.” In contrast, London at the same time is described by Bruce Holsinger, professor of English at the University of Virginia, as being a city of “thievery, prostitution, murder, bribery and a thriving black market made the medieval city ripe for exploitation by those with a skill for the quick blade or picking a pocket”. African fractals Benin City’s planning and design was done according to careful rules of symmetry, proportionality and repetition now known as fractal design. The mathematician Ron Eglash, author of African Fractals – which examines the patterns underpinning architecture, art and design in many parts of Africa – notes that the city and its surrounding villages were purposely laid out to form perfect fractals, with similar shapes repeated in the rooms of each house, and the house itself, and the clusters of houses in the village in mathematically predictable patterns. As he puts it: “When Europeans first came to Africa, they considered the architecture very disorganised and thus primitive. It never occurred to them that the Africans might have been using a form of mathematics that they hadn’t even discovered yet.” At the centre of the city stood the king’s court, from which extended 30 very straight, broad streets, each about 120-ft wide. These main streets, which ran at right angles to each other, had underground drainage made of a sunken impluvium with an outlet to carry away storm water. Many narrower side and intersecting streets extended off them. .. “Houses are built alongside the streets in good order, the one close to the other,” writes the 17th-century Dutch visitor Olfert Dapper. “Adorned with gables and steps … they are usually broad with long galleries inside, especially so in the case of the houses of the nobility, and divided into many rooms which are separated by walls made of red clay, very well erected.” Dapper adds that wealthy residents kept these walls “as shiny and smooth by washing and rubbing as any wall in Holland can be made with chalk, and they are like mirrors. The upper storeys are made of the same sort of clay. Moreover, every house is provided with a well for the supply of fresh water”. Family houses were divided into three sections: the central part was the husband’s quarters, looking towards the road; to the left the wives’ quarters (oderie), and to the right the young men’s quarters (yekogbe). Daily street life in Benin City might have consisted of large crowds going though even larger streets, with people colourfully dressed – some in white, others in yellow, blue or green – and the city captains acting as judges to resolve lawsuits, moderating debates in the numerous galleries, and arbitrating petty conflicts in the markets. The early foreign explorers’ descriptions of Benin City portrayed it as a place free of crime and hunger, with large streets and houses kept clean; a city filled with courteous, honest people, and run by a centralised and highly sophisticated bureaucracy. ctd.. 3 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 12:27am On Jun 02, 2023 |
The city was split into 11 divisions, each a smaller replication of the king’s court, comprising a sprawling series of compounds containing accommodation, workshops and public buildings – interconnected by innumerable doors and passageways, all richly decorated with the art that made Benin famous. The city was literally covered in it. The exterior walls of the courts and compounds were decorated with horizontal ridge designs (agben) and clay carvings portraying animals, warriors and other symbols of power – the carvings would create contrasting patterns in the strong sunlight. Natural objects (pebbles or pieces of mica) were also pressed into the wet clay, while in the palaces, pillars were covered with bronze plaques illustrating the victories and deeds of former kings and nobles. At the height of its greatness in the 12th century – well before the start of the European Renaissance – the kings and nobles of Benin City patronised craftsmen and lavished them with gifts and wealth, in return for their depiction of the kings’ and dignitaries’ great exploits in intricate bronze sculptures. “These works from Benin are equal to the very finest examples of European casting technique,” [/b]wrote Professor Felix von Luschan, formerly of the Berlin Ethnological Museum. [b]“Benvenuto Celini could not have cast them better, nor could anyone else before or after him. Technically, these bronzes represent the very highest possible achievement.” What impressed the first visiting Europeans most was the wealth, artistic beauty and magnificence of the city. Immediately European nations saw the opportunity to develop trade with the wealthy kingdom, importing ivory, palm oil and pepper – and exporting guns. At the beginning of the 16th century, word quickly spread around Europe about the beautiful African city, and new visitors flocked in from all parts of Europe, with ever glowing testimonies, recorded in numerous voyage notes and illustrations. Lost world Now, however, the great Benin City is lost to history. Its decline began in the 15th century, sparked by internal conflicts linked to the increasing European intrusion and slavery trade at the borders of the Benin empire. Then in 1897, the city was destroyed by British soldiers – looted, blown up and burnt to the ground.... Nowadays, while a modern Benin City has risen on the same plain, the ruins of its former, grander namesake are not mentioned in any tourist guidebook to the area. They have not been preserved, nor has a miniature city or touristic replica been made to keep alive the memory of this great ancient city. A house composed of a courtyard in Obasagbon, known as Chief Enogie Aikoriogie’s house – probably built in the second half of the 19th century – is considered the only vestige that survives from Benin City. The house possesses features that match the horizontally fluted walls, pillars, central impluvium and carved decorations observed in the architecture of ancient Benin. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/18/story-of-cities-5-benin-city-edo-nigeria-mighty-medieval-capital-lost-without-trace 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 12:42am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:The drawing itself was not drawn in 15th century but only show Imagine scenes on 15th century. Be guided 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by IbnB: 12:44am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol: Just imagine tbis idiot 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 12:44am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:Lost without trace, everything written was just imagine, it never existed not to talk of being lost. Just a sponsor article. Even Egypt still have verifiable traces 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 12:49am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: Can somebody please remove this blasted illiterate from this thread? What a sad testament to how terribly our education system has deteriorated. I heard they stopped teaching History in schools for some years now. That's why we have this embarrassing caricature of an African disgracing himself here. How brainwashed to self-hatred can you be to the point where even the colonialists' own media are reporting to you about your advanced pre-colonial civilization, and you're REJECTING it, saying ''No. My ancestors were not civilized, but primitive''? I mean, it's just incredibly tragic the deep level of inferiority complex to which our people have sunk. It's actually alarming. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:24am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: Even the English you're speaking, you're hopeless in. ''only show Imagine scenes on 15th century'' Pitifully uneducated village dunce. ''Imagined'' by whom, when, and why, please? Frigging moro.n. 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:26am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:Art is all about imaginations 2 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:29am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: No it is not, you air head. If I sit down across you and draw your ugly face, am I just imagining your ugly face or am I drawing your ugly face based on my observation? Village mumu. 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:29am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:African should tell us their 21st century achievements before laying claim to any ancient civilization. Everything Benin using to boast was made possible by the Portuguese. Every other things before Portuguese is just fairytale. Look at Alafin of Oyo palace that has claiming nonsense as if it was greater than Rome 3 Likes
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Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:31am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: Africa owes a village dropout like you absolutely NOTHING. You know NOTHING about the history of Benin. Have never studied it, and you know nothing about the Portuguese who were just one of many nations that traded with Benin. You are a village dunce with no business being on this thread. 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:34am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:Stop posting drawings. And fabricating exaggerated stories. That's the real inferiority complex 2 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by okrikaboi: 1:34am On Jun 02, 2023 |
They took the idols that they said were useless and sold them in their countries for millions of dollars. 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:37am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: VILLAGE DROPOUT. |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:39am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: Do you know the name of the drawer? When was it drawn? Tell us. Tell us the year it was drawn and by whom. 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:39am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:Real pictures of ancient civilization are everywhere, if painting is the only thing Benin has, they should respect themselves 3 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:40am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:I think you should tell us |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:42am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: Benin city was invaded, destroyed, bombed and burnt down by British forces in 1897 following a heavy war that killed thousands of Benin people and led to the king being exiled. Are you even aware of that? What the hell do you expect to find in a city that was destroyed by bombs and canon fire over a century ago? 6 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:46am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: But you said it was drawn by someone imagining things that happened several centuries before. You mean to tell us you don't know anything about the artist after all? Can't you see you're a fool? Must be your LOW IQ allied to inferiority complex and low self-esteem. Disgusting, pitiful creature. 2 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Thebadpolitican(m): 1:47am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: This are Benin architecture still found in Benin till date I.grew up in an open roof house made of cement. In benin osemwende strt , the benin people call it open roof house in English, the open space is where the full family seat and discuss People from other state laugh at Benins for having this building around they call it mud houses Saying Benin has too many mud houses around, if we yield to these words they won't Be anyone to see anymore the shrines around benin are still built with the benin architectural pattern 5 Likes
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Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Thebadpolitican(m): 1:49am On Jun 02, 2023 |
T 1 Like
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Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:53am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:Story. Rome was sacked by the Vandals, Jerusalem was invaded by Nero, etc 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:55am On Jun 02, 2023 |
A live size replical of classical Edo Architecture of Great Benin at the museum of traditional Nigerian architecture at Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. 2 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:56am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Thebadpolitican:What you posted is normal mud house with thached roof found everywhere before European contact 2 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 1:58am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:Normal normal for the rain forest region before European contact. 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 1:59am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: Dummy dum dum. Did the vandals have artillery, bombs, guns and canon in the 3rd Century? How the hell can you compare destruction of a city in 1897 with bow and arrow and machetes of the 3rd century? Village dropout. Go school you no gree. |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 2:00am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:You can see how real picture differ from your imaginary paintings even though it was built recently 1 Like |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by LikeAking: 2:02am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Gbogbowa: Stop saying nonesense like these.. The British vs a small Benin Kingdom what do you think.. Yet the Benins gave them a fight, even the bigger kingdoms/tribes could not. Nothing concern spiritual power for war, it's a game of number, intelligence, artillery, training, skills, bravery, etc. 4 Likes |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Rostikol: 2:04am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Ogene001: The eyewitness drawings of the whole city with large public buildings you said were the ''imagination'' of the artistes, shows you are an anti-African demonic person that hates his own heritage. You're cursed. Go away. That the British destroyed Benin city does not mean it did not exist, you hear? Agent of colonialists. |
Re: The Oba Of Benin's Palace Before 1897 British Destruction - PIC by Ogene001: 2:05am On Jun 02, 2023 |
Rostikol:Many buildings and bridges survived Hiroshima atomic bombs 1 Like
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