How Did King Benin's Influence On American Culture And Culture

Using the Hofstede model of comparison, I will be comparing the culture of my home country, that is, the Republic of Benin and the United States of America. First, I will do a little background of Benin and the USA. Benin is located in West Africa and is in between Togo and Nigeria. Its official language is French mainly because it was colonized by France during the colonial period. Its population is 10 million and it is considered a developing country. On the other hand, the USA is located in North America. Some of its neighbors are Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. Its population is 321 million and English is its official language. The USA economy is the world's largest national economy. The location, population, national language and

According to traditions, Oyo started from a great Yoruba ancestor and hero, Oduduwa, who migrated to Ile Ife .His son, the second prince of the Yoruba Oranyan (also known as Oranmiyan), made an agreement with his brother to launch a punitive raid on their northern neighbours for insulting their father. On the way to the battle, the brothers quarrelled and the army split up. (Thornton, 1998). Oranyan's force wasn't large enough to make a successful attack, so he wandered the southern shore until reaching Bussa. It was there that the local chief entertained him and provided a large snake with a magic charm attached to its throat. The chief instructed Oranyan to follow the snake until it stopped somewhere for seven days and disappeared into the ground. Oranyan followed the advice and founded Oyo where the serpent stopped. The site is remembered as Ajaka. Oranyan made Oyo his new kingdom and became the first 'Oba' (meaning 'king' or 'ruler' in the Yoruba language) with the title of 'Alaafin of Oyo' (Stride & Ifeka,

Benin City, a huge urban area open to European travelers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The biased European view that Africans were useless savages is revealed in Leo Africanus’s Description of the Middle Niger, Hausaland, and Bornu. Throughout his description, he

The cross-cultural encounter between Europe and Africa began as Europe aggressively initiated an era of exploration of Africa south of the great savanna. Europe's curiosity, exploration and greed transformed the history of African people. In the study of the cultural history of Africa, much innovation has been attributed to outside origins and influences. Historians and archaeologists have learned a great deal about the developments that emerged from the European influence in Africa. The age of exploration commences as European powers began new pursuits in geographical determinism toward non-European lands and peoples. Against this background, begins the European discovery, exploration and expansion into Africa, Asia, the Americas and the

Finally, the plaques are clear evidence of a mutually beneficial cultural encounter with Portuguese traders in which both parties gained. It could be speculated that the rectilinear form of the plaques arose from Benin craftsmen seeing Portuguese oil paintings, but there is no evidence of this. The plaques, however, do first appear after contact with the Portuguese, following which there was a resurgence in bronze sculptures, probably as a result of the increased wealth and confidence of Benin.

There were many medieval African civilizations that were significant. The few that I am going to discuss are the Nok, the Benin Empire and the Ghana Empire. Evidence shows that the Nok culture existed as early as 1000 BC. The Nok culture is known for their terracotta sculptures. Most Nok sculptures are hollow and made from local clay. They used a mixture of clay and water called slip, to give the pottery an even surface and glossy finish. The sculptures were usually human or animals with large heads. Some of the detail on the human sculptures give us an idea of what the people looked like in the Nok society. The art of the Benin Empire is known as royal art. The Oba or King was very involved in the art of this time. Bronze casting was the art

An important piece of art and history that symbolizes the legacy of a dynasty is held at the British Museum in London. This pendant mask was believed to have been created in the early 16th century for king of Benin, King Esigie, to honor his mother. In the Benin culture images of women were not common. In many of the different African cultures, art was used in rituals, this piece of art may have been worn by the King at rites to celebrate his mother.

Obatala, the eldest of the Orishas, is revered as the creator of all mankind. He is called upon in times of legal strife. Known to be a fair and honest judge, Obatala provides strength to the innocent and justice to the guilty.

Much of Benin’s ancient history is “encoded” in the beautiful art it prolifically produced. The iconography of the clappers on which a carving of the Bird of Prophesy is usually attached, for example, can only be understood in its own historic context. The bird is said to prophesy the future and emit a distinctive cry foretelling good or bad fortune.

Benin history is recorded with no composed documentation. A great many generations have gone down the historical backdrop of the Benin individuals orally. This has been strengthened by pictorial pictures in Benin workmanship and likenesses. Models of Obas, Benin Queens, and Queen Mothers, these notwithstanding regular pictures of Benin life, change scenes et cetera, are spoken to in their authentic tastefulness. Nothing unexpected then to see when the Portuguese arrived and turned into a piece of that history, they were delineated in their bizarre garments, weapons and ordinary interests, for example, chasing, (British Museum). It is surprising to note that the greater part of these craftsmanship pieces are by obscure craftsman, even with only

Guariento di Arpo, Coronation of the Virgin Altarpiece, 1344, tempera and gold leaf on panel

The importance of Elmina formally referred to as the Gold Coast of West Africa is that of a stepping stone for European interaction and colonization of Africa. To understand how Elmina led the way for European colonization and interaction, there must be an understanding of the history of Elmina, African and European relations and the importance of trade goods flowing out of Africa. Elmina, a port on the coastal modern day Ghana near the capital Accra in Africa, was one of the first settlements in West Africa being a city of great importance that “encapsulates the years of European contact, trade, and colonization better than any other site in Africa.” The city was built around the fort Sao Jorge Da Mina or Elmina castle and would later be

The Memorial Head of an Oba is from Benin, Nigeria and it was created in the sixteenth century CE. This is a bronze sculpture of a King, and this is primarily known because of the translation of the word Oba. In the culture of these people it was customary for the son to have one of these memorial

The Akan people were once a unique group that flourished in the Ivory Coast and in the Ghana regions of West Africa. The Akan’s were a religious group, mostly Christians that strived on order and balance. At a point in time the Akan’s were grouped together in a small kingdom called Bonoman where they took part in many activities like slavery and mining for gold so they can prevail and overcome adversity.