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Benin
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Head of an oba Map of Africa highlighting the location of the historical kingdom of Benin in West Africa, shown in orange along the southern coast near present-day Nigeria. The map provides geographic context with labeled continents, oceans, and major seas. Pendant mask depicting the iyoba (queen mother) Plaque showing a warrior and attendants
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Head of an oba
Head of an oba Head of an oba, brass sculpture by Edo brass artists in the court of the kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria), 16th century; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

Benin

historical kingdom, West Africa
Also known as: Kingdom of Benin
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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•History

Benin, one of the principal historic kingdoms of the western African forest region (fl. 13th–19th century). Tradition asserts that the Edo people became dissatisfied with the rule of a dynasty of semimythical kings, the ogisos, and in the 13th century they invited Prince Oranmiyan of Ife to rule them. His son Eweka is regarded as the first oba, or king, of Benin, though authority would remain for many years with a hereditary order of local...

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