Christianity in Benin Kingdom

About the interview
Object ProductionObject ContextBenin Kingdom Context

In this interview, Ohen Osa Edebiri states that objects of purification or sanctification are still being used during Sunday ceremonies. Other relics like the dressing of the priest were inherited from the earliest Catholic Capuchin fathers. He explains that the cross of the Ada and Eben is a significant reminder of the contact with the early missionaries. He also describes other relics that could be seen during worship.

Ohen Osa Edebiri describes the architectural design of the Aro Osa as a special symbol of royalty. He speaks about the connection between the fluted (furrowed) walls of the Aro Osa and the palace of the Ọba of Benin, altars, chief compounds and any residence where the Ọba has given someone authority or a title.


About the contributors

Referenced in this interview

Sensitive Content

Digital Benin collates digital material from institutions, and some of this material is inherently colonial and contains words, terms and phrases that are inaccurate, derogatory and harmful towards African and African diasporic communities. Catalogue transcriptions, book titles, exhibition titles and museum titles may contain harmful terms. We recognise the potential for the material to cause physical and mental distress as well as evoke strong emotions. Owing to the scale of the collection’s data, a process to implement sensitive-content warnings in the displayed data is still incomplete. The material within the catalogue does not represent Digital Benin’s views. Digital Benin maintains a strong anti-colonial, anti-racist position and affirms its support for centring the humanity of historically marginalised and disenfranchised communities. Read more about the background of this statement here