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