Benin City National Museum was opened in 1973. The City of Benin is a very rich city when it comes to history, culture and tradition, and as matter of fact the museum is regarded has one of the richest museums among all other National Museums in Nigeria in respect to the amount of history it holds not just of the Benin Empire but of the surrounding ancient city-states.
The museum has a lot of historical collections, art, artifacts, art gallery, sculptures, the bronze figures, cast iron pieces and terracotta related to the Benin Empire. In the Benin City National Museum are a lot of galleries one of it called the Oba Akenzua gallery which is on the ground floor of the museum. Some major artifacts there includes the head of the renowned Queen Idia, samples of short guns used during the Ida war and bronze casting of a gun powder keg.
Location
The Benin Museum is located at Ring Road Roundabout, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Art works found in the Benin Museum
The Benin Museum has a lot of artifacts which reflect the richness of the Ancient Benin Kingdom. The artifacts are made of terracotta, bronze figures and cast iron pieces. Some of which are
- Benin Bronze
- Artifacts from the Punitive Expedition of 1897
- Head of Queen Idia
- Short guns used during the Ida war
- Wood and Ivory carvings
- Coral bead regalia
- Historical documents and map
Sections of the Benin Museum
The Benin Museum is divided into three
Oba Akenzuwa Gallery:
This is located on the ground floor of the museum
Art Gallery:
This is located on the first floor of the museum. This section of the art gallery consists of beautiful artifacts from within Benin City and neighboring communities.
Unity Gallery:
This is located on the last floor of the museum. This section holds historic relics and artifacts from around the country.
Cultural significance of the Benin Museum
It helps to preserve cultural heritage
The Benin Museum serves as a place where collections of items that reflects the cultural heritage of the Benin people are kept. Through its exhibits, future generations can learn about the kingdom’s legacy.
It promote education and research
Teachers and students visits the Benin Museum for research purposes. The museum’s archives provide valuable resources for academic pursuits.
Tourist Attraction
The Benin Museum over the years has been a tourist attraction for foreigners. Visitors not only explore the museum but also engage with local craftspeople and businesses. This has helped to boost the economy.
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