Brought from Benin City after it had fallen to the British Expedition of 1897, these plaques decorated the walls of the Oba’s (King’s) palace.
The figures represent two attendants, both of them wearing the court dress of classical Benin. The figure on the right is playing on a double gong, an instrument that was struck to signify the pleasure of the Oba.
© Hull Museums
Accession reference: Hull Museums, 2006.9096
Themes
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Africa before Transatlantic Enslavement
The history of Africa and African people does not begin nor end with transatlantic slavery. Understand what Africa was like and what the continent lost as a result of the trade.
Background Reading
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The Lost Libraries Of Timbuktu
Until recently, many commentators on Africa claimed that African societies had no tradition of writing. With the rediscovery of ancient manuscript collections, some dating back to the 8th century AD, this perception is changing.
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Introduction To Various African Kingdoms