THE ALMIGHTY OBA

Benin’s political, military and religious leader was an autocratic king

SHELTERED LIFE

The Oba rarely appeared in public, but when he did an attendant would shelter him from the Sun. No one else was allowed to be shaded in this way within the city.

KING OF THE JUNGLE

The leopard was a symbol of royal power in Benin. As well as wearing leopard skins, the king used to keep several of the big cats as pets, which were paraded on important occasions like mascots.

CORAL CROWN

The Oba wore a headdress and tunic woven of red coral beads. While only the king and his closest companions were allowed to wear the beads, they were so rare and valuable – traded from as far away as the Mediterranean – that few others could have afforded them anyway.

STANDING ARMY

Ruling over many cities, towns and villages, Dutch sources claimed that the Oba could mobilise 20,000 soldiers in a day and raise an army of 80,000 to 180,000 soldiers.

GOD-LIKE STATUS

As well as being the highest political authority, Obas were the spiritual leaders of their people. Religious cults would often develop around them and many would even claim to have supernatural powers.

PENDANT MASK

One of the most iconic symbols of the Benin Empire is the finely carved ivory mask depicting Queen Idia, created for her son Oba Esigie. Rather than being worn over the face, these were worn at the waist or around the neck.

ROYAL GUARD

Day to day, most Obas only carried ceremonial weapons such as a fan-shaped sword called an eben or a switch. Instead they were protected by royal guards, who would be armed with swords, spears and, in later years, firearms.