The consequences of the Benin Invasion of 1897

About the interview

Benin Kingdom Context

Before 1897, Benin Kings had over a period of over 800 years built their kingdom and empire. The kingdom had executed several wars of conquest and campaigns, and it was never defeated by any of her neighbours. The Kingdom had contact with the outside world both economically and politically. The Benin kingdom was well known and the Benin people were respected by others. The British colonial military invasion was a quick twist that disrupted the developments in Benin kingdom in several ways and as stated in this video by Patrick Oronsaye, the Benin people and Benin kingdom was yet to recover from the psychological impact of the British invasion of Benin Kingdom and destruction of Benin City. The psychological trauma, according to Oronsaye, reflects in the daily expression of plea and how suddenly the people saw the white man as king only next to God because the war demystified the position and personage of the Ọba of Benin.

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Referenced in this interview

Sensitive Content

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