The Benin (Edo) Culture and History (Occupational Activities)

WEEK 9

TOPIC: The Benin (Edo) Culture and History (Occupational Activities)

The Benin people are farmers producing food crops and cash crops such as soil palm, kola nut and plantain. They are also craftsmen with craft guilds. The craft guild has been in existence since the Ogiso period. The people are also carpenters, carvers, bronze casters, blacksmiths, etc. They use the lost-wax method in bronze casting. There is a street in Benin City called Igun where they produce artworks. The place is still in existence to date.

The Edo people are traders in cloth and palm oil, which were exchanged for European goods such as mirrors and coral beads.