Abstract
The subject of this scientific monograph is history, culture and art in the Benin Kingdom. In addition to presenting Benin art, the book offers an analysis of development changes of the local political systems, social stratification, oral history, mythology, religion, architecture, business contacts, military expansion of the empire, acculturation clashes and consequences of the British colonial rule.
Special attention is paid to Benin bronzes and other artefacts which were taken out of the country as booty after the Benin Royal Palace was looted in 1897 by the British military expedition. The description, classification and interpretation of Benin art is dedicated to traditional Benin bronzes as well as to the contemporary manufacture of artefacts, their autochthonous traditions are still alive in the Igun Street in Benin City.
The book does not omit contemporary Benin and Nigerian artists who continue the cultural tradition of their ancestors in the context of development changes of today's Nigeria. When preparing the monograph, the authors used historic sources, historic studies and empiric data such as local oral history, archaeological sources, period archival materials and knowledge gained from studies on Benin artefacts and during anthropological field research.