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Summary
In the pre-colonial period, the Oba controlled the economy of Benin. This enhanced his political authority until the attempts to break his monopoly ended in the fall of the Benin Kingdom and the suspension of the institution of the monarchy by British colonial authority in 1897. Benin was rich in some of the products needed by these European visitors, a few examples were Ivory, palm produce, art and craft materials which they valued highly. In pre-colonial Benin, the Oba had traditional right over the land in the Kingdom; he could give it out freely or demand compensation for giving it out. Since farming was the chief occupation of the Benin people, the people therefore had to make very large farms for the Oba annually. He also organised the Benin people into various art and craft industries and guild systems to facilitate specialization.2 These art and craft industries date from antiquity. The best of these products, collected are sent to the Oba’s court which were either or destroyed carried away during the British invasion of Benin in 1897. The Oba held monopoly of international trade. He chose certain councillors and merchants who also were allowed to come to the European trades at the part of Ughoton.
The Oba’s sources of income were based on annual tributes levied on villages and one tusk of every elephant killed is sent to him and invariable bought the second tusk from the hunter. Also proceeds from the conferment of traditional titles helped to swell the purse of the Oba and collection of tolls along the trade route3. The pre-colonial trade made the Oba the wealthiest man in the kingdom.
