Edo State is an inland state in central southern Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City.

It is bounded in the north

The major first languages spoken in the state are Edo, Etsako, Esan and Owan, Akoko Edo,Okpameri
language and Ijaw. Edo State is home to several ethnicities, among them the Bini, Esan, Afemai, Emai,
and Ijaw.

PEOPLE OF GREAT HERITAGE

The people of Benin, the Edo people have a rich cultural heritage rooted in history. Over the years, the
deeper essence of the normative values constitute an influence on the worldview of the people.

IDENTIFICATION

The people popularly referred to as “Bini” by others and Edo by the indigenous, are descendants of the
founders of the pre-colonial ancient and powerful Benin Kingdom and empire (originally called
Igodomingodo), now located in South/Mid-Western Nigeria and encompassing what is now Edo State, as
well as surrounding areas.

The Benin people are those speaking varieties of the Edoid language, who occupy the Edo South
senatorial district of Edo State in present-day Nigeria. The Edoid language is a branch of Kwa linguistic
group of the Benue-Congo language family, which is the largest and most complex branch of the Niger-
Congo language classification. The land of the Benin people is located in the sub-equatorial climatic zone
where cumulus moist clouds, high rainfall, sunshine, relative humidity, fluctuating temperatures and
favourable winds are experienced. These climatic elements have stimulated the growth of tropical
rainforest which is evergreen and characteristically deciduous in nature.

The people are located in the Districts of Oredo, Orhionmwon, Ovia and Uhunmwode, which now
constitute the seven local government areas of Edo South namely, Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha,
Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, and Uhunmwode. Within the districts, certain locations
are identified as Iyekogba, Iyekuselu, Iyekorhionmwon, and Iyekovia. Within the location of the districts
are specific areas of settlement such as in Uhunmwode where the people are in Ehor area, Umagbae
area, Ahor area, and Urhokuosa area.
Benin had in over three thousand years of continuous history, developed a well articulated culture that
captured the way of life, and indeed, the worldview of the people. The culture is represented in the arts
and other manifestations of human intellectual accomplishments of the people. The ideas, customs,
beliefs, values, attitudes, hierarchies, religion, roles, notions of time, the concept of the universe, and
social behavior of the people of Benin cumulatively define their cultural heritage. While outstanding
achievements were recorded in the evolution of political culture, and in other aspects of culture such as
dressing, palace and chieftaincy regalia, art, law, administration, medicine, and architecture, the cultural
system was opened to influence from neighboring groups and even from the Europeans. However, the
colonial period introduced additional cultural influences in the areas of education, language, religion,
politics and economy.

The rich cultural heritage of Benin is well-known around the world. Benin boasts of the finest and purest
bronze works in the world; and there are also carvings in ivory and wood, bead arts, pottery, and other
crafts. Internationally, the technical sophistication and precious materials of the works of art are much
admired, and many were looted and sold by the British after the conquest of Benin in 1897, and a lot
now adorn museums in Europe in Europe and United States of America. The history of the objects has
been subject of continuing research and investigations.

The Benin culture is manifested in their values, a rich tradition and festivals which make them peculiar
among other ethnic groups in Nigeria. Ugie is one of the great festivals of Benin, instituted by Oba
Ewuare the Great c.1440 AD. It is an end of year festival of thanksgiving, with a series of ceremonies
which usually commence in the middle of December. Ugie features such great feasts such as Emobo,
Orro, Igue, Ubirie, and Ewere. In the ceremonies and celebrations, Ewere is the climax of Ugie, where
goodwill leaves (Ewere leaves) are distributed throughout the kingdom to usher in peace, progress,
good health and prosperity for the Oba and people of Benin. The Ugie festival itself has strong spiritual
re-strengthening of the people.

This rich cultural heritage has made Benin the home of arts, culture and tourism. This has encouraged
the development of tourist attractions, and the preservation of the cultural heritage and historic
monuments and sites. The lovers of arts and culture and holiday-makers will find the place a distinctive
destination of the values and traditions of the people which have been transmitted from generation to
generation. The long history of Benin and its fascinating culture are an indispensable contribution to
world cultural heritage, and the monarchy is the expression of the kingdom’s civilization, hopes and
aspirations.

LOCATION, GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

The Benin Kingdom is strategically located even as it is economically and culturally endowed. It is
situated in Edo State which has a land mass of 19,794 km square.

The Benin Kingdom is strategically located even as it is economically and culturally endowed. It is
situated in Edo State which has a land mass of 19,794 km square. Lying on 05 44 N and 07 34 N latitudes,
05 4 E and 06 45 E longitudes. The entire area is low lying except towards the north axis where the
Northern and Esan plateaus range from 183 meters of the Kukuruku Hills and 672 meters of the
Somorika Hills.

The state is so located that it forms the nucleus of the Niger Delta region. It is bordered by Kogi state to
the North and Delta State to the East and South, Ekiti and Ondo States to the West.

Like most other locations in the southern region of the country, the climate is typically tropical with two
major seasons- the wet (Rainy) and the dry (Harmattan) seasons. The wet season lasts from April to
November and the Dry Season December to March.

The Edo people of South Western Nigeria are divided into a number of sub-Units. The people of Benin
occupy the heartland of the territorial patrimony of the Edo race and they constitute the nucleus of the
Benin Kingdom, once an empire many, many years ago.

Centuries ago, at the time when the land was called Igodmingodo, the geographical area now known as
Benin, was the hub of a mass of little towns that developed and spread into most of the areas of the old
Mid-Western region created in June 1963 from the Benin and Delta provinces. The status of the region
was changed to a state on May 27th 1967, and the state was in turn renamed Bendel State on March 17
1976. Bendel State was further divided into Edo and Delta states onAugust 27 1991 with Edo state now
habouring most of the Bini.

With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 4million. The main ethnic
groups in Edo State are: Edos (Bini), Afenmais, Esans, Owans and Akoko Edos. The Edo (proper) now
occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas of the Edo State and constitute 57.54% while
others Esan (17.14%) Afemai comprising of Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%).
However, there are splinters of Igala-speaking communities exist in Esan South East, Egbira related
communities in Akoko and Afemai Areas as well as pockets of Urhobos, Izons, Itsekiris and Yoruba
communities in Ovia North East and South West Local Government Areas especially in the borderlands
and riverine swaths. Also, Ika speaking communities exist in Igbanke in Orhionmwon LGA.Generally in
modern Nigeria most people of the other ethnic groupings live, thrive and regenerate in all parts of Edo
land.

Virtually all the groups trace their origin to Benin City.The Esan, the Afemai, The Isoko, the Urhobo are
all of Edoid origin despite the tendencies for ethnic distinctions.

DEMOGRAPHY

The Edo people of South Western Nigeria are divided into a number of sub-Units. The people of Benin
occupy the heartland of the territorial patrimony of the Edo race and they constitute the people of
Benin Kingdom.

Centuries ago, at the time when Benin was called Igodmingodo, the geographical area now known as
Benin, was the hub of a mass of little towns that developed and spread into most of the areas of Bendel
State (the Mid-Western Region was a division of Nigeria from 1963 to 1991, from 1976 being known as
the Bendel state). As time went by Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States, with Edo State
harbouring the Bini tribe.

With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 4million. The main ethnic
groups in Edo State are: Edos, Afemais, Esans, Owans and Akoko Edos. As a result, the Edo (proper) now
occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas of the Edo State which constitute 57.54% while
others Esan (17.14%) Afemai comprising of Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%).
However, the Igala-speaking communities exist in Esan South East, Igbira related communities in Akoko
and Afemai Areas as well as Urhobos, Izons, Itsekiris and Yoruba communities in Ovia North East and
South West Local Government Areas especially in the borderlandsVirtually all the groups trace their
origin to Benin City, although, these days the Esan, the Afemai, The Isoko, the Urhobo and others see
themselves as a distinct ethnic group though they are all of Edoid origin. The Bini speaking people who
occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state constitute 57.54% while others Esan
(17.14%) Afemai comprising of Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%). However, the
Igbira speaking communities exist in Akoko Edo as well as Urhobos, Izons, Itsekiris communities in Ovia
North East and South West Local Government Areas, especially in the borderlands. Also, Ika speaking
communities exist in Igbanke in Orhionmwon LGA.
LANGUAGE

A core member of the group of genetically related languages called the Edoid group, the Edo language is
rated as one of the first few of the twenty-four languages, which make up the Edoid group in Nigeria.The
Edo people are the ancient Kwa Niger-Congo language Bini-speaking ethnic groups including the Esan,
the Afemai, the Isoko, the Urhobo among others. Edo people speak Ẹ̀dó also called Bini. It was and
remains the primary language of the Edo people. There is, however, a slight dialectal change among the
variant Edos which identifies them through the dialects of , Esan, Etsako and Owan. While these various
“dialects” are spoken, Ẹ̀dó is the main language as used in official traditional events.

CULTURE

A large number of communities and certainly the ruling dynasties in all the clans trace their roots to the
ancient kingdom of Benin. Cultural similarities are in the areas of religious worships, folk-lore, dances,
and festivals, traditional modes of dressing, arts and craft. The political pattern and behaviour are based
on a situation where both the monarchical and republican ideas flourish in an integrated manner.

Customs and traditions are of course a huge aspect of the culture. The colourful traditional festivals
manifest its rich cultural heritage. Most of the traditions and festivals still celebrated today are religious
as the people remain strong believers in providence.

Let it be affirmed that one of the very basic, yet well researched submissions of sociologists is to the
effect that a culture of a people must be gratifying. This means that all of those traits that gather under
the banner of the so called culture, must in practice be such that give joy to the practitioners. Also from
an elevated spiritual point of view, apart from the culture being something that is dynamic, it must also
never lose the beautiful side of its essence. It is when the culture is kept beautiful and intelligible that
the enduring and beneficial pearls therefrom are preserved in a sustainable manner and in a way that is
agreeable to most of its practitioners or inheritors.

In the new time, this should also be key as a people once versed in breathtaking art, adept in military
campaigns and astute in socio-political organization, take an important step to face up with the realities
of the 21st century within the context of a modern Nigeria.

DRESSING
One of Africa’s richest dress cultures, the people of Edo are well-known for their traditional attire. The
Benin dress culture (Nigeria) reaches back to antiquity, its basics including beads, wrappers and clothes,
body marks, bangles, anklets, raffia works and more.

The Edos have one of Africa’s richest dress cultures. The people are well-known for their stand out
traditional attire. The Benin dress culture (Nigeria) reaches back to antiquity, its basics including beads,
wrappers and clothes, body marks, bangles, anklets, raffia works and more. Apart from the big
ceremonial dresses, there are costumes for chiefs styled after the Roman Catholics, while the formal
citizens wear include the Iwu dress and other forms with high neck collarless designApart from western
styled apparels, a flowing robe- agbada made with any material ranging from Ankara, Voile, Lace,
Jacquard, or Guinea cloth material is worn over a trouser and topped with either a long or short-sleeved
loose shirt of the same or varied material and an embroidered cap and carved walking stick may
compliment this dressing. For some traditional rites, the white wrapper is usually tied around the waist,
and Coral beads are popular among the men and women folks.

The Edos place a high value on coral beads. The two kinds of Coral beads; ‘Ivie’ and Ekan’. are both
members of the Coral family. Corals are mined from Coral stones in oceans and polished to jewellery.
‘Ivie’ is a brand of Coral beads considered as sacred jewels, an important type of jewellery worn by Edo
Chiefs. When coloured red, it assumes inestimable value in the eye of the people and are prided as
objects of sacred beauty and harmony. ‘Ekan’ looks like a stone and is greyish in colour.

Benin traditional attire

Today, all over the Nigeria, women are seen wearing the coral beads hairstyle which mainly draws
inspiration from the unique Benin hairstyle Eto Okuku worn for ceremonies, brides at weddings and
other special occasions. The hair is woven and beaded in a crown-like manner. There are now also
instances where complementary beads are worn around the neck and sometimes also now on the
shoulders.

FOOD

The staple diet of the Edo people is fairly representative of what obtains in most southern states in
Nigeria. Their diet consists of a lot of vegetables, carbohydrates and some meat. Rice and beans are
popular across the state. The Edos pride themselves as good pounded yam eaters and generally prepare
this and others such as plantain in homes and restaurants. As far as meat goes, they eat mostly beef, fish
and chicken.

The traditional cuisine aincludes Pounded yam or Eba which is eaten with such soups as Black Soup
(Omoebe), Bini Owo soup, eaten with plantain or yam, Starch and palm nuts (banga) soup or melon
soup Corn soup, Isaewe (groundnut soup) cooked with either bush meat (Antelope, Pig and Grasscutter
etc), beef or fish. Due to the constant social interaction of the people from other parts of Nigeria and
Africa, other foods like Amala, varied types of pepper soup, fufu and of course western cuisine and the
growing fast foods have crept into the local menu.

ECONOMY

The economic activities of the Edos at the start of the century largely depended on coastal trades even
though agricultural activities are also a major feature of the economic life of the people. Yam, plantain,
cassava, palm oil, maize etc., are the basic crops while a labour supply is usually mobilised for the
harvest.

The other cash crops of the area include Rubber and Timer. With its bronze heads, decorative brass plats
and Ivory ornaments, the Benin kingdom has an enriched economy. Tese together with a growing
carpentry and furniture trade are of great export value.

RELIGION

Freedom of worship is enshrined in the ethos of the people. The adherence to any form of religion is
one of the features for which the Edos are known., perhapse a good reason for the religious harmony
that prevails . There are three predominant religions practised by the Edos evolved and received at
different times. First was traditional religion then Christianity and later Islam. The biggest place of
worship in the state for the adherents of the old Christianity received from the Portuguese is the Holy
Arousa Cathedral in Benin City, headed by the Oba. It is widely acclaimed as the oldest church south of
the Sahara. There are still a number of traditional religious adherents who still keep their alters, shrines
and ancestral worship figures. The Benin monarch occasionally attends worship at the traditional church
especially after Igue festival for thanksgiving. The temple which conducts services every Sunday is
acclaimed to have the most unadulterated bible used for worship. Today however, traditional religious
practices are gradually giving way to the two other major religions.