👑 c. 1600 | Kingdom of Benin | West Africa What you’re seeing: Recreated glimpse of the Kingdom of Benin at its height: chiefs in coral bead regalia in a palace courtyard while bronze casters work in the red earth using the lost-wax method that produced the Benin bronzes. What was the Kingdom of Benin? A powerful Edo-speaking monarchy in what is now southern Nigeria, ruled by the Oba with an organized court and specialist craft guilds. Where was it? In forested West Africa inland from the Bight of Benin, centered on Edo/Benin City in today’s Edo State, Nigeria. Who were its people? The Edo (Bini) people, speaking the Edo language and living in dense cities of nobles, craftworkers and farmers tied to the Oba’s court. What was Benin City? The royal capital, laid out with straight streets, palace courtyards, and huge earthwork walls and moats around the city and surrounding towns. Why did the kingdom endure? Strong central rule, control of key trade routes, and wealth from ivory, p...