Oral history

The Role of Portuguese in Trade and Politics of the Pre-Colonial Benin

About the interview
Plaques of EuropeansWarrior King and WeaponsOlokun and Other DeitiesChristianity in BeninArms and Ammunition

In this interview, Dr Frank Ikponmwosa, an economic historian and associate professor of history in the University of Benin’s Department of History and International Studies, speaks about the political effects of the trading activities between Benin Kingdom and the earliest European visitors, the Portuguese. He discusses the origin of the trade route and the kinds of commodities exchanged. Guns and gunpowder had a great impact on Benin Kingdom, because the wars of expansion and other military campaigns became successes owing to the possession of firearms. Thus the Kingdom of Benin extended to places like Lagos (Benin Military Camp) and beyond. During this period, the Ọba accepted the spread of Christianity, exchanged envoys with Portugal and were able to read and write in Portuguese.

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Referenced in this interview

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