BENIN CITY

also called Edo, capital and largest city of Edo state, southern Nigeria. Benin City is situated on a branch of the Benin River and lies along the main highways from Lagos to the Niger bridge at Asaba and the eastern states. The city is also linked by roads to Sapele, Siluko, Okene, and Ubiaja and is served by air and the Niger River delta ports of Koko and Sapele. Formerly the principal city of the Edo (Bini) kingdom of Benin, it burned down (and was ransacked for nearly 2,500 of its famous bronzes) in 1897 when the British occupied the city after the Edo had massacred a purportedly unarmed British diplomatic mission. Traces of the old wall and moat remain, but the new town is a close-packed pattern of houses and streets converging on the palace and compound of the oba (Edo: "king") and the government offices. In the main square is a statue of Emotan, a lady honoured for offering herself as a sacrifice to restore the prestige of her husband, the oba. The present oba retains traditional and advisory roles in government. Benin City has long been famous for its "bronzes"-actually brass work-some of which is said to date from the 13th century, and for its ivory and wood carvings; its museum (1960) has a notable collection of some of the kingdom's early pieces. The city's present artisans still practice the ancient method of cire perdue ("lost-wax") casting, and its wood-carvers are organized into a cooperative craft society. The centre of Nigeria's rubber production, modern Benin City has several processing plants and a creping factory; the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (1961) is at nearby Iyanomo. Benin City has been known for sawmilling since the 1930s, and the products now made in the city include furniture, beer, and soft drinks. The traditional export of palm oil and kernels remains important. The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (1939) is just outside the city on the old road to Lagos. Benin City is the site of the University of Benin (1970). Pop. (1991 est.) 202,800. Cultural life French colonial rule and subsequent close ties with France have left a deep impact on all aspects of cultural life, especially among the educated segments of the population and in the southern cities. Each ethnic group also has its own centuries-old tradition, which itself often mixes with the French influence. These cultural traditions are clustered in two distinct regions, the largely Muslim north and the largely animist and Christian south. In Cotonou one finds many kinds of commercial enterprises, often with a French flavour, such as restaurants, cafs, and discotheques. Diplomats of foreign governments and many of Benin's elite live in newer residential sections. There are several movie theatres and several hotels that provide entertainment. Most other towns have modern sections on a smaller scale. In other sections of the towns, however, tradition dominates cultural life. Extended families live in family compounds in distinct neighbourhoods, where they practice religious rites and celebrate festivals with music and dance. Markets where foodstuffs, clothing, and traditional medicines and arts are sold are important centres of daily life. The arts Artistic traditions in Benin are very old and are represented in practically every village. Plastic art is the most prominent, as carved wooden masks representing images and spirits of the departed are made and used in traditional ceremonies. Other artistic items are bronze statuettes, pottery, appliqud tapestries recounting the history of kings of precolonial Dahomey, and fire engraving on wooden bowls, which often have religious meaning. Probably the best-known art objects are the Yoruba wooden masks called guelede from the region of Porto-Novo. Street musicians are found in various neighbourhoods, and modern dance ensembles perform at clubs.