Kingdom Of Benin - Ivory: The Main Item

Student’s Name Professor’s Name Date Subject Kingdom of Benin- Ivory Ivory held so much value to the people of Benin and the ivory trade thrived well in the 16th century. Ivory held symbolic and material value to the kingdom and especially to the king of Benin who was given the title Oba. Apart from trade, ivory was also used to make the now celebrated artifact, the Queen Mother Pendant. Ivory trade including other profitable commodities and slaves was controlled by the king so as to make sure all the profit went to support the government and the court. Ivory was the main item of trade by the Benin kingdom where they traded with Portuguese and Europeans in exchange for brass and copper CITATION Wha181 \l 1033 (What can we Learn from the art of Benin). However, in the recent centuries, animal protection has risen and the trade of ivories banned in the world and therefore no more art can be made out of ivory and this has led to the decline of the legacy of Benin ivory art CITATION Wil171 \l 1033 (Wildlife Conservation). Ivory was a symbol of wealth and divinity too. Each year Oba performed a ritual to honor all the royal ancestors so as to impact good to the citizens of Benin as well as prosperity and well-being, this he did as he danced with an ivory gong in his hand that was meant to cast off malevolent spirits. From the art of Benin, it is clear that this kingdom held high the well-being of the people and this was guaranteed by the dressing of the king (Oba), carving of his throne and making plaques in brass materials believed to wade off evil. Corals were believed to be a gift by the god of the sea, Olokun, and the king wore his attire completely decorated with corals. Ivory’s white color signified purity and was also associated with Olokun who brought fertility and wealth to the Kingdom of Benin. Oba wore pendants and bracelets made out of ivory and his throne had two tusks standing on each side of the throne and signified power and strength. The high chiefs also wore the ivory pendants and bracelets as a sign of leadership and representation of royalty. Additionally, on each side of the King’s throne stood two leopards and each carving of the big cat was made out of five tusks of an elephant and this symbolized the strength of the kingdom of Benin CITATION Wha181 \l 1033 (What can we Learn from the art of Benin). There was a ceremony among the Edo people of Benin called Emobo and the king led the celebrations wearing an ivory mask on his neck. This pendant mask was carved out by Oba Esigie in the 16th century in honor of his...