Edo people
The Edo or Bini (from the word "Benin") people are an ethnic group primarily found in Edo State, and spread across the Delta, Ondo, and Rivers states of Nigeria. They speak the Edo language and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Empire. They are closely related to other ethnic groups that speak Edoid languages, such as the Esan, the Afemai and the Owan.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Edo_Trads_%28Traditional_Attire%29.png/220px-Edo_Trads_%28Traditional_Attire%29.png)
The name "Benin" (and "Bini") is a Portuguese corruption, ultimately from the word "Ubinu", which came into use during the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great, c. 1440. "Ubinu" was used to describe the royal administrative centre or city or capital proper of the kingdom, Edo. Ubinu was later corrupted to Bini by the mixed ethnicities living together at the centre; and further corrupted to Benin around 1485 when the Portuguese began trade relations with Oba Ewuare. See Oba of Benin.
Dressing
Benin people have one of the richest dress cultures on the African continent. Their fashion accessories holds royalty and typically includes beads, body marks, bangles, anklets, raffia work and so on.[1]
Notable Binis in Nigeria
- Victor Uwaifo, musician, writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor.
- Peter Odemwingie, professional footballer.
- Charles Novia, film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and social commentator.
- Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, former Vice-chancellor of University of Benin.
- Benson Idahosa, evangelist, and founder of the Church of God Mission International.
- Samuel Ogbemudia, politician and former military Governor of the Mid-West State
- John Odigie Oyegun, politician and first national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria
- Moses Odaro, academic, entrepreneur and finance consultant
- Victor Ikpeba, professional footballer.
References
- ^ "Benin dressing in contemporary Nigeria: social change and the crisis of cultural identity". African Identities. Volume 3 (Issue 2): 155–170. 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
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External links
- Cultural Wars and National Identity - The Saga of the Yoruba and the Bini-Edo
- Bini Names in Nigeria and Georgia
- Edoworld -The origin of Edo/Bini people
- Who are the Edos/Binis?{source Edoworld}
- Nature of God in Edo Religion
- Royal Art of Benin: The Perls Collection, an exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on the Edo people