USA Africa Dialogue Series - ENDURING LEGACIES OF ANCIENT BUT NON-EXISTENT KINGDOMS: THE EXAMPLE OF BENIN

                                 ENDURING LEGACIES OF ANCIENT BUT NON-EXISTENT KINGDOMS

                                                      THE EXAMPLE OF BENIN

The term 'kingdom' implies an autonomous geographical and political entity and boundary.In that sense,there is no Benin kingdom.The city of Benin,the centre of the old Benin Kingdom,described as extending as far as Lagos,which is described as having been a vassal to Benin,is now limited to being the capital of Edo state in the relatively new country of Nigeria.
 

One may speak accurately,however,of a Benin civilization.A Benin civilization could be understood as constituted by the distinctive  values,perspectives and material achievements as these have emerged at particular points in history  within the  boundaries of the city of Benin .This civilization persists even within the restricted scope of the geographical and political framework of Benin.It is undergoing transformation,but it persists.

How do we understand the character of this civilization? What may be its contribution to world civilization? The answering of   these questions  is the responsibility of everyone who wishes to take advantage  of the values developed by this civilisation across time.

Even though the ancient concept of "Edo Ore Isi Agbon: Edo is the Centre of the Universe" might look unrealistic at any point in time and space,even the notion that "All roads lead to Rome, was only partially correct at the height of the Roman Empire, "Edo Ore Isi Agbon: Edo is the Centre of the Universe" may be relevant as a standpoint of vision,a perspective from which one may approach the universe.Such a perspective would consist in understanding the manner in which Bini civilization may illuminate the human adventure beyond the spatio-temporal particularities of its origin.

Such an identification is not necessarily related to ethnicity. Civilization is more a development of mind,action and social conditions than of biological ancestry.

In such an adventure of seeking the enduring significance of ancient civilizations,one needs to reject  the fanatical parochialism,the pit of  ethnic darkness,the mental constriction,that insists on narrow constructions of racial affiliation.One needs to reject conceptions that those who do not  identify with  narrow understanding of ethnic interests  are enemies of people of the concerned   ethnicity.People who hold such views are stuck in an imaginary world,divorced from reality.

Thanks

Toyin

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