Band 3

This band shows two images of Oba Esigie, who ruled during the early 1500s. He began the custom of recording important events in bronze reliefs.

In the middle carving, Esigie appears as the Oba, wearing a coral crown. To the left he appears as a young prince, holding hands with a Portuguese man. Esigie's father, Ozuolua the Conqueror, was probably the first oba to exchange ambassadors with the King of Portugal. Portuguese officials accompanied Ozuolua on military campaigns; their guns may have helped him win decisive battles.

The Edo believe that Portuguese missionaries educated Esigie and baptized him. Later Esigie ended their alliance After he became the Oba, Esigie no longer welcomed the Portuguese. He realized that adoption of European customs and beliefs could destroy Benin traditions, so he closed his kingdom to Portuguese advisors and missionaries. Still, Esigie maintained a school for Edo boys in the palace, where they learned to read and write Portuguese and to understand European ways.

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Map courtesy of Office of the Director of Central Intelligence.

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