The Edo civilisation, often referred to as the Benin Empire, is one of the topics looked at in KS2 history. The Edo people were some of the first in sub-Saharan Africa to trade with Europeans.
The Benin Empire refers to the Edo people of Africa, rather than the modern state of Benin - also in Africa, though not related to the Edo civilisation. The Empire lasted from 1440 to 1897 when it was conquered by the British Empire. The Benin people traded with Europeans from the 15th Century when they came into contact with Portuguese explorers. This trade continued for hundreds of years and a lot of what we know comes from European accounts. They traded tropical products such as ivory, peppers and palm oil which were rare in Europe.
How much do you know about the Edo civilisation? Find out by playing our quiz.
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You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Kingdom of Benin
The Benin Empire had Benin City, in the south of modern-day Nigeria, as its capital
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The Dutch and the Portuguese were also trading with the Benin
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There were 24 kings of Benin between 1440 and 1897
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Oba is the word for king in the Yoruba language
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They also made plaques from iron and ivory
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Tea grew mostly in Asian countries like India and China
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The people, the language and the capital city were all called Edo
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The Portuguese were the first Europeans to visit Benin and the two Empires began to trade with one another
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Many of the treasures removed from the palace were put in European museums
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This cotton was one of the items traded by the Benin Empire
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