Discussion Board Forum 2
Rhonda Ray
HIWD 320 Africa
Liberty University in Lynchburg VA
Art
Benin’s culture is certainly one of the most unique and interesting in all of Africa. Its culture is as rich and diverse as its people. There are many extraordinary historical sites and archaeological findings that tell a story of a great empire.
Art
In the 17th century, slaves became the most important commodity and were traded for manufactured items.
West Africans invented the smelting of copper, zinc ores and the casting of brass. When the Portuguese arrived in Benin the trade of these metals encouraged the growth of brass dramatically and became one of the standard trade currencies.
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| Oba of Benin taken in 1897 by JA Green |
After Benin took control of the slave trade between the Europeans and the inland people in the 19th century, the kingdom of Benin became wealthy.
The British were also hoping to expand their own trade and ultimately annexed Benin and turn it into a British protectorate. But the natives discovered Britain’s other motives and killed their envoys. In retaliation the British lead an armed expedition that deliberately torched all of the Edo Empire. The king was captured and the maximum size and artistic splendor of the kingdom and its palace including wood-works, ivory,
The reception of these great wonders caused such a sensation that academic scholars were truly amazed at how these great wonders came to be without European influence.
When traveling to Benin, you will need to obtain permission in Lagos. The Oba’s Palace has stood in the place for 700 years. It is located in the city center and there is where you can find everything from ancient artifacts that trace back to Benin Empire from the 12th century.
Music
Rhythm and dance are deeply linked in Benin’s history. In ancient times the musical cultures of Benin could be heard at most compounds, festivals and religious gatherings. This rock painting is one of the oldest extant to music and dance in Africa.
Some of the earliest sources of African music are archaeological. Musical instruments were made of vegetable materials, the oldest is the dúndún pressure drum. It was introduced in the 15th century in the Savannah region.6 Other finds related to music include the pellet and tubular bells, bow lutes, the long xylophone, idiophones and horns. These are often used in ceremonial events. Music and dance training begins at birth.
Some of the earliest sources of African music are archaeological. Musical instruments were made of vegetable materials, the oldest is the dúndún pressure drum. It was introduced in the 15th century in the Savannah region.6 Other finds related to music include the pellet and tubular bells, bow lutes, the long xylophone, idiophones and horns. These are often used in ceremonial events. Music and dance training begins at birth.
Traditional dance in Benin is an expression of life. There is no one on one partnering dance. Dances are often segregated by gender; this projects empowerment of what it means to be a man or woman.
Shoulders, chest, pelvis, arms, legs play a part in their music. Dance combined with drums represent an underlying linguistic text that guides the rhythms in their movement.
Dance
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Description
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Kpanouhoun
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is more prevalent in the Department of the Atlantic. It is done during, wedding ceremonies, graduations or when a soon-to-be bride engagement is being annouced. It is done during, wedding ceremonies, graduations or when a soon-to-be bride engagement is being annouced.
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Ogbon
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a popular dance performed both during funeral ceremonies. It is a dance attributed to ghosts called “Egoungoun”.
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Agbadja, Atchanhoun, Avogan
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are dances that are performed in the Department of Mono. It is done especially during popular festivities and after a new harvest.
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Avizinli
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a dance only done at night, is performed during the wake of a funeral.
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Gambada, Djaguidi, Cocoussi
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is a very brutal and evil dance. They are reserved for insiders that are initiated as the moves are considered to be sacred.
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Adjogan
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is a royal dance performed by the princes and princesses of Porto-Novo during the festivities at the royal palace . The dancers only attach a cloth to the chest and hold an iron stick along which small metal disks are spinning and making chimes.
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Kaka:
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a dance that has a dual purpose: for rejoicing and/or for ritual dance. executed with pieces of bamboo that is tapped against each other to get the rhythm. The dancer is also playing an instrument music which is made with bamboo.
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Sato:
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is executed only by fatherless and motherless civilians. The dancers move in circle around a large Tam Tam drum that exceeds the height of the man and try to type the head of the drum with the help of a curved and by jumping up. It normally happens during funeral events.
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Tipinti
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is a dance that is performed during popular festivities. The dancers dress in little skirt made of beads with ankle bells. This dance is well performed by men than by women.
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Kiaro
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is a hunters’ Dance also known as the horse dance. It takes place in the region of Borgou and is performed during the “Gaani”, the festival of Joy that takes place every year.
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The most widely used instrument in Africa is the voice and in the last few decades of the 20th century, the developments of reggae and hip-hop have been popularized. This music is also shaped by changes in the ecology of the continent. When settlers interacted with the locals, they often adopted musical styles from them. The country was home to a vibrant and innovative music scene, where native folk music combined with Ghanaian highlife, French cabaret, American rock, funk and soul, and Congolese rumba. Choral singing style is also a reflecting blend of local and foreign influences.
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| Catholic choir rehearsing |
Language
Beninese society is a French colony. The people are quite diverse having a total of 55 living languages, with 50 being indigenous. There are 20 sociocultural groups in Benin which are associated with one or more of the ancient kingdoms. The Fon (of the Dahomey kingdom) are the largest group. Their language is closely related to that of the Aja and Goun.
French is the most prestigious language in Benin. All printed media is in French. Fon and Yoruba are the most spoken in the southern part of the country; Nagot, Dendi, Bariba and Fulfulde in the north. Many of the Beninese are polyglots, meaning multilingual. About 36% of the population is illiterate. Sign language, Spanish, and English is also studied by the Beninese.
During this time the Dahomey king had his son and two of his noblemen to become Christians and help the Portuguese build churches in Benin. To this day, there exists a church along Akpakpava street that is patterned after this first church and called “Holy Aruosa.” This cathedral was destroyed during the British invasion in 1879 and it was forbidden for the people to worship Osanobua at the Holy Aruosa.
Religion
The traditional beliefs and practices of Beninese are highly diverse and include various ethnic religions. Roman Catholic Christianity was introduced by the Portuguese and has been active in Benin since the 16th century.
During this time the Dahomey king had his son and two of his noblemen to become Christians and help the Portuguese build churches in Benin. To this day, there exists a church along Akpakpava street that is patterned after this first church and called “Holy Aruosa.” This cathedral was destroyed during the British invasion in 1879 and it was forbidden for the people to worship Osanobua at the Holy Aruosa.
In each church, a special seat is reserved for the Oba. Priests dress like the Roman Catholic priests and usually wear red caps. Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Akenzua II, the father of the present monarch, rebuilt several cathedrals throughout Benin City, Onitsha, Umuahia and other areas. He is also responsible for starting the movement that returned a lot of the ancient artworks taken in the British expedition in 1897.
n Benin, prayers are always concluded with 'Oba' khato Okpere - meaning ‘May the Oba live long’. Service at the church is conducted in Bini language. The Holy Bible is not used, they use the book of Holy Arousa; much of the preaching revolves around the Oba being God’s representative on earth and the need to be good while on earth. Baptism of new converts is done with ‘Igborhe’, white chalk.
In the indigenous belief, ancestral remains are apart of the community after death. Shrines are built and offerings “feed” them. Metal staff’s called the Asen are made for the deceased and kept in the family compound.5
n Benin, prayers are always concluded with 'Oba' khato Okpere - meaning ‘May the Oba live long’. Service at the church is conducted in Bini language. The Holy Bible is not used, they use the book of Holy Arousa; much of the preaching revolves around the Oba being God’s representative on earth and the need to be good while on earth. Baptism of new converts is done with ‘Igborhe’, white chalk.
Benin was also considered the “cradle of voodoo” and those who practice Christianity or Islam also incorporate Voodoo element into their belief. Voodoo consists of 100 divinities given by the divine mother Mahu. Here voodoo is not considered evil as depicted books and film. These divinities represent different phenomena that govern the forces of nature and human society. Their pattern of worship follows various dialects, practices, and rituals. There are 440 priests and 900 members in the religious orders. Other religious groups include Baptists, Methodist, Pentecostals, Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.3
In the indigenous belief, ancestral remains are apart of the community after death. Shrines are built and offerings “feed” them. Metal staff’s called the Asen are made for the deceased and kept in the family compound.5
Cuisine
There are five distinct geographic zones in Benin. In the south where the rainfall and vegetation are the heaviest, coconut palms grow on a narrow coastal strip broken by lagoons and creeks. In the north, a plateau of fertile iron clay soil interspersed with marshy areas supports oil palms.
Beninese cuisine is known for its flavorful and exotic ingredients. Fish and shellfish are popular in the southern parts of Benin; while goat, sheep, and chicken are favorites in the north. Many people have mud stoves and pans, used for cooking and storing water. In many Urban areas cooking is done outside. Breakfast usually consists of leftovers and in the evening people go to the market. Beninese eat a variety of tropical fruits. Their common cash crop is maize, a type of corn and the base for all the cuisine in Benin.1
In 1962 the secretary of the IOC created the National Olympic Committee in Dahomey. It consists of basketball, boxing, cycling, football, volleyball, and tennis. The most popular sport of Benin is football, also known as soccer. Their soccer team is called Les Ecureuils; established in 1969 as Dahomey became The Republic of Benin. They first competed in the 1972 Olympic Games and then in the Moscow games in 1980. Handball and track and field are also popular in Benin but unlike football which is a male-dominated, these two sports allow females to participate.9
Source
Beninese cuisine is known for its flavorful and exotic ingredients. Fish and shellfish are popular in the southern parts of Benin; while goat, sheep, and chicken are favorites in the north. Many people have mud stoves and pans, used for cooking and storing water. In many Urban areas cooking is done outside. Breakfast usually consists of leftovers and in the evening people go to the market. Beninese eat a variety of tropical fruits. Their common cash crop is maize, a type of corn and the base for all the cuisine in Benin.1
Dantopkpa, the biggest market located in Cotonou, Benin, is a popular place to sample the local smoked, dried or fresh fish, palm wine and millet beer.5 It is about 20 acres and it is overloaded with fruits like tomatoes, avocados, oranges, mandarins, bananas, kiwi, and pineapples; meats like beef, goat, fish and bush rat; others include Bird’s eye red hot pepper, peanuts, rice and beans.2
Sports
Source
9Jean-Jacques, Daniel. Frica: An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society. Translated by Toyin Falola. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO LLC, 2016.
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