Episode 8 - 'Yemi Akinbulumo on "Ebakhamien..."
Like many African kingdoms, prior to being annexed by the British empire in 1897 the Ędo (or Benin) one was ancient, highly organised and thriving.
To say that it was utopian is likely a misnomer. But by all accounts, the citizens were content and the governmental structure worked well. That is of course until the British decided it didn't. Or couldn't.
Though the Kingdom had managed to retain its sovereignty and independence whilst regularly trading with other foreigners, the fact that it maintained a monopoly over trade in the area exacerbated the decision to subdue and annex it.
Which was easier said than done as the territory was well fortified. Yet even when faced with a complex and sophisticated defence system, the would-be colonists dismissed it as disorganised and primitive; an assumptive theory that has since been shattered by an ethno-mathematician who mused that "It never occurred to them that the Africans might have been using a form of mathematics that they hadn’t even discovered yet".*
How would it? What could "the natives" possibly know about the art of war? The raid was obviously going to be cut and dried, the citizens fall into line, and the money roll in.
But as is the case with best laid plans, things went awry and the British expedition was near-annihilated.
First time round.
Second time round, the invaders were less cocksure and when they struck, the Ędo people didn't stand a chance.
A historically important city was raided, monuments razed, cherished artefacts purloined and more importantly precious lives lost in the pursuit - all to prove a point and continue an ultimately fruitless quest for world domination.
What happened back then can only properly be recorded on the pages of large tomes dedicated to chronicling history and righting the many wrongs that have hitherto been hidden.
In this podcast, I have simply touched on one aspect in order to lend my voice to an ongoing concern that is only an issue because of that very raid.
I hope it piques your interest!
Title/Audio References
● "Ebakhamien" means "What I have seen before" in the Edo language.
■ El Árbol del Tule is Spanish for 'The Tree of Tule' which is located near Oaxaca in Mexico. Its trunk is approximately 9.38m in width, and is believed to be the widest in the world.
P.S. Special thanks to Bernadine for her invaluable help!