Indigenous Iron Works In The 19th Century In The Benin City

Indigenous Iron Works In The 19th Century In The Benin City

Chapter One

Preface

11 Objects Of Study

Technology as defined by Berry, Is “ any operation of discoveries of the scientific styles to the problems of man and terrain in peace and war ” Adeniyi refers to it as ‘ a process whereby an individual or a group of people acquire a skill necessary to operate a hand earthenware either from another persons or through development.

To this end, series of meetings, conferences, forums , tayslops and shops have been organized and held on the indigenous product and the advancement of iron tools in Nigeria and Africa at large.

therefore, the ideal of this work is to debunk the Eurocentric belief that Africa has no technology good of studying before the appearance of European. Also, that Africa aren’t intelligent enough to reuse from technology. And also, to detect technology in the realm of the study, Iron assiduity workshop in Benin.

To this end, the exploration work is to study the general trend since commencement of Iron technology in Benin down to it decline. As a result of competition disguise by importation of purier and cheaper Iron bans from European in the 19th century.

12 Compass Of Study

West Africa people early learned to booby-trap and use their inventories of three important essence- gold, Iron and bobby . The product of gold at an unidentified place on the West Africa seacoast long before the birth of Christ. When Iron was first worked, and also it was first used at a large scale, isn’t really known. Yet it’s certain that knowledge of Iron smiting was gained before the morning of Christian period. Some chroniclers believe of the knowledge was transmitted from Libya in about 500Bc others believed that it came from upper afar around 300Bc; we know that the rise of conglomerate incompletely due to their possession of abundant forceful munitions and tools.

therefore, this essay deals substantially with indigenous technology, a case study of Benin Iron works in the 19th century. The period covered thepre-colonial period, the irruption of Europeans and incipiently, the period covered the impact of Iron works on the political and socio- profitable character of the people, also the decline of Iron technology and technology as a whole in Nigeria at large.

13 Significance Of Study

The actuality of indigenous diligence over the centuries in Nigeria is relatively significant for study and history of Nigeria.

The significance of this study is to illustrates, the interdependence that was between the Sudan timber zones which in turn encouraged the movement of people, goods and ideas from North to south, east to west and vice versa. The study also give an sapience into the nature and degree of commerce that attained among Nigerian peoples and this also support the argument for apre-existing concinnity among people in the Nigeria area before the coming of Europeans.

The significance of the study is to also dissect what gain in Nigeria before the irruption of the social Rule, i.e. Nigeria communities engaged in trade which arose from the fact that different vill specialized in different crafts depending on the available raw material.

This still is an substantiation used by Africa pens to debunk the Euro- centric on the fact that they developed Nigeria and Africa as A whole in term of technological advancement.

Importantly, the study seeks to examine how objects were manufactured from Iron- ore with a case study of Iron assiduity in Benin. This trouble is accepted because, the indigenous ways of product of Iron smithing in traditional societies have nearly retrograded due to neglect and misprision. The situation is born out of the fact that their position has been overshadowed by the importation of foreign goods and outfit.

likewise, the significance of the study is to show or draw attention to a heretofore neglected aspect of Nigeria history. Political history had been overemphasized in the history leading to a study of the spectaculation similar as war and lives and conditioning of great men and autocrats. By studying indigenous diligence, we can now appreciate the place and significance of the millions who helped to bring great men into lime light and who helped to give strong profitable bases( occasionally through their crafts) that support the colorful governments.

therefore, individualities, bodies and groups are to honored indigenous traditional values and harness them into a sound base for technological take off and for Nation structure.

14 Methodology And Problems Of Research

Methodology is the set of styles and principles that are used when studying a particular subject or doing a particular kind of work( Longman dictionary 4th Edition).

Primary and secondary source were principally used for this design works. The following styles used in carrying the date for this exploration work. Content analysis of published and unpublished material, electronic device( internet Browsing). Oral interview and party observation, like visit to Libraries.

First place visited for content analysis of published material was the library; University of Ilorin library, Harri library. University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, also state libraries was visited.

In the area of primary source, oral interview was conducted on the families who exercise Iron works popularly called Igun( Ogun) in Benin City.

Observation which is the process of watching commodity for a period of time. therefore, the experimenter shared by seeing and feeling during the exploration works.

It should be noted that problems is that situation that causes difficulties. Problem encountered by the experimenter was to get and gathered material because little was bandied on the exploration content. At the libraries, there are no lines that contain direct information on Iron works in Benin and collections information were frequently skimp and rough because of the old nature and poor Handle i.e. they aren’t visible. And also, some lines have been withdrawn from use because they’re really damage.

Another problems encountered is the area if finance. Before any interview could be made certain quantum of plutocrat need to be paid to the canvasser . Another major problem was the mobility. The experimenter didn’t have acceptable knowledge of the terrain.

15 Literature Review

Benin been the home of Art work, had attracted numerous to have and maintain regular politic contact with. Benin Iron works give aplenty substantiation of complex society as well as a university accredited cultural achievement. In relation to this, numerous scholars and Experimenters are veritably kin in Benin Art work and Benin History generally. still, some written sources have still been set up useful and are review below.

Ryder AFC 1485- 1897. Benin and Europeans. The book centered on the relationship between Benin and the European which bandy the origin, political, profitable and socio-artistic conditioning of the Benin.

The glory of Benin Kingdom and the shame of the British Empire by ANTHONY OKOSUN. He throws light on the state development in the area of artistic value and Benin Art work especially in its notorious Citation, Iron and Ivory casting.

A gadarene look at the work written by Onions A. Edionwe. Echoes Of A Area

‘ Great Benin ’ is bases on some papers presented by his royal majesty, Oba Erediawa CFR. During the commemoration of British irruption of great Benin Kingdom in 1897.

citation must be made the work ofK.A AGBONTAN. Department of sociology and Anthropology. University of Benin, Nigeria. In his journal “ AN ASSESSMENT OF FOUR CENTURIES ”( 15th-19 th c) of Benin Art product of assessing the part of the craft companion system in Benin polity. The crucial work is the Benin area,pre-colonial Nigeria. Royal patronage, orders, palace societies.

Also the work of Anthony I Okoduwa. Department of History and International scholars. Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma Nigeria. In is work “ where bottom dropped of manufacturing invention in Nigeria ” the keywords “ manufacturing invention technological ” growth Frugality.

likewise, is the book of flintJ.E Snr. George goldi.e and making of Nigeria London( 1990). The detail account Europeans Economic Conditioning of royal Niger Company, the colorful attack of the native savages passage of the royal peregrinations. For the fact that Benin played a vital part makes it precious to this exploration work.

Eventually, is the history of indigenous wisdom and technology in Nigeria Edited byR.A Olaoye. This book provides an sapience into Nigerians indigenous chops and ways. The book easily recognizes the deliberates and consequential destabilizing impact of colonialism on indigenous wisdom and technology.

16 Literal Perspective Of Benin

The heartlands of the old Benin area are inhabited by a people who called themselves, their capital and their language Edo which belong to the kwa family. The Edo speaking group of people covers an area extending from the broken, hilly country that lessee the igbirra and Igala in the North, to the edge of the littoral exchange timber in the south, were their neighbors are Ijos and Itsekin. Their other boundaries are with the Yoruba to the west and Igbo to the east.

The origin of the Kingdom is lost in myth and age from which survives only a traditions of migration from east that’s common to numerous west Africa people.

Tradition asserts that the Edo people came displeased with the rule of a dynasty of semi fabulous lords, the Ogisos, and in the 13th century they invited Napoleon Oranmiyan of Ife to rule them. His son Eweka is regarded as the as the first Oba, or king, of Benin, through authority would remain for numerous times with heritable, order of original chiefs. Late in the 13th century, royal power began to assert itself under the Oba Ewedo and was forcefully established under the most notorious Oba, Ewuare the great.( reignedc. 1440- 80), who was describe as a great legionnaire and magician He established a heritable race to the throne and extensively expended the home of the Benin area, which by medial 16th century extended from the Niger swash delta in the east to what’s now Lagos in the west( Lagos was in fact innovated by a Benin army and continued to pay homage to the Oba of Benin Until the end of the 19th century).

Ewuare was succeeded by a line of strong Obas, chief of whom were Ozolua the whipper(c. 1481-c. 1504, the son of Ewuere) and Esigie( early to medial 16 th century, the son of Ozolua) who enjoy good relations with the Portuguese and transferred minister to their king. Under these, Obas of Benin came a largely systematized state. It multitudinous craft men were Organized into council, and the area came notorious for ivory and wood carvers. It brass smiths and citation casters bettered making natural heads, bas- reliefs, and other puppets. All by each Benin attained her topmost glory and military achievement through the increase in essence workshop.