World arts and culture presentation:
Benin:
The Natural World
Where is the ancient Benin kingdom
nowadays ?
The wild life in
Nigeria:Fauna
The king
The Giant
Croco
Catfish
Piton
Flamingo
Lion
The landscape: savanna
rivers:
The connections
between the nigerian
natural world and
Benin’s art
Materials:
Ivory
Wood
The connections
between the nigerian
natural world and
Benin’s art
Subjects
and
the symbolic meaning:
Leopard
The equilibrium between menacing and the moderating
It is the most
represented one
but was the
prerogative of...
...the Oba
because of the similarity
of their roles
One of the spiritual pillars
closely linked with the
supernatural power of the Oba
was...
...the Olokun
strictly connected to the
natural element of
water
We have severals representation of Olokun
Water animals are linked to Olokun
Crocodile
Figures of crocodiles were
considered to serve a
protective function
moreover it was believed
to be the Olokun’s sent,
to punish the wicked
Snake
Snakes and crocodiles
are amphibious. They live
both in water(the Olokun’s
region) and on the land
(men’s region)
The snake shape is
very commonly used
especially on
magical tools
Fish
The mudfish has
fundamental role in
mythology
it appears on
many tusks under
the form of...
...Oba Ohen’s feet
Birds
Their representations
were put atop the Oba’s
palace
They were
considered the
symbol of fight
between the evil
and the good
The end