Benin:The Natural World

World arts and culture presentation:

Where is the ancient Benin kingdom nowadays ?

The wild life in Nigeria:Fauna

The king

The Giant

Croco

CatfishPiton

Flamingo Lion

The landscape: savanna

rivers:

The connections between the

nigerian natural world and Benin’s

artMaterials:

IvoryWood

The connections between the

nigerian natural world and Benin’s

artSubjects

andthe symbolic meaning:

Leopard The equilibrium between menacing and the moderating

It is the most represented

one but was theprerogative

of...

...the Oba

because of the similarity of their

roles

One of the spiritual pillars closely linked with the supernatural power of the Oba was...

...the Olokun

water

strictly connected to the natural element

of

We have severals representation of Olokun

Water animals are linked to Olokun

Crocodile

Figures of crocodiles were considered to serve a

protective function

moreover it was believed to be the

Olokun’s sent,to punish the wicked

Snake

Snakes and crocodiles

are amphibious. They live both in water(the Olokun’s region) and on the land (men’s

region)

The snake shape is very commonly

used

especially on magical

tools

Fish

The mudfish has fundamental role in mythology

it appears on many tusks under the form of...

...Oba Ohen’s feet

Birds

Their representations were put atop the

Oba’s palace

They were considered the symbol of fight between the evil and the

good

The end