slot. 1. No.1 January - AprIl, 1996
The ancient Benin empire is reknown as one of the earliest states systems established in the forest region of West Africa. The conquest of the kingdom by the British in 1897 led to the looting and sale of its precious Art works (especially the Cire Perdue Bronze and Ivory pieces) to major, museums and private collectors in the Western world.These drew attention to the high level of cultural achievements of the empire which earned her fame and attracted a lot of scholarly publications.
The high point of these studies was the multi-disciplinanry research project known as the Benin History scheme initiated by the University of Ibadan in 1957 to study other aspects of the lives ofthe inhabitants of the empire which was previously neglected. This scheme did not produce the desired results because of some problems. There was afterwards decline in interest in Benin studies. According to Prof. Alan Ryder one of the participants in the scheme who reviewed the situation in 1992 Benin studies suffered excessively in the general climate of academic recession. Neighbouring regions and peoples - the Yoruba, the Igbo and the Delta peoples have all sustained a higher level of research activities as measured by publications. The result is that Edo speaking people who inhabit the core area of the defunct Benin empire remain largely understudied inspite of their world acclaimed cultural achievements and contributions to world civilisation.
This state of affairs have led to attempts at reawakening interestin Benin studies. One such attempt was the International Conference on Benin Studies: The Centenary years of Benin British Tragedy 1892 -1992 of March 1992 which amongst other resolutions recognised the need to establish an institutional basis for pursuing these goals (of the conference viz research, publishing and seeking funds for Benin studies) so that the reawakening generated by the international conference can be sustained. Four years after this conference, its proceedings are yet to be published and the above resolution is yet to be implemented. Moreso the University of Benin, Benin City established in 1971 and Edo State University Ekpoma established in 1982 do not have any special is educational research centres to undertake cultural research among the Edo speaking/ peoples like one finds in the University of Ibadan, Ife, Nsukka and Okigwe which have facilitated extensive research among the neighbouring Yoruba and Igbo speaking peoples. It is in the light of the above situation and problem, that it has became urgently necessary to establish the INSTITUTE FOR BENIN (EDO) STUDIES. The next article Benin Studies The State of the Art by Prof. A. F. C. Ryder describes the sorry state of Bcnin Studies better.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BENIN STUDIES
The Centenary Years, 1892 - 1992 Held In Benin City From 23rd - 25th March 1992
An lnternationl Conference on Benin Studies to mark the Centenary of the British-Benin Treaty (The Galiway Treaty) and examine the enduring effects of Colonialism on Benin, was held at the University of Benin between the 23rd and 27th of March,1992.lt was organised by the International Sociey of Benin Studies. 2. Over 30 scholarly papers were presented by Authors from all over the world on important subjects like Benin Studies, The State of the Art; from 1892 - 1992: A centiry of Changing Benin history; Economy and Politics of Pre-Colonial Benin; Aspects of Benin World View; and Benin in the 21st century. 3 Conference notes the said decline of Benin studies since the 1970s and the unsuccessful attempts made nationally and internationally to reawaken interest in Benin studies which by the 1960s was a reference point for African studies in the wide working. 4. Conference resolves that the time has come to fully re-awaken this academic field of study considering (1) the fact that for all its pcularity, Benin Studies remain highly, understudied, and (2) the fact that several gaping holes exists in Benin Studies especially in the area of history. 5. Conference recommends that steps should be taken to initiate, encourage and stustain research in Benin studies and, in particular, to devise new and more adequate methodologios of st tidy. To these ends, conference recommends as lows: (1) Research projects centred around specific areas of Benin smiles be jdcntj fled proposals written and fund.csoIic ite for by individual researchers and groups of researchers. (2) Postgraduate student of Benin origin should he encouraged to carry out their reseach on Benin. We note happily, the existence of a fellowship instituted by the Omo N'Oba N'Edo in History at the University of Benin. (3) With regard to methodology, research methodologies should be devised for studying Benin Society as a complament to the emphasis on the Benin Monarchy which is the ease at present. (4) . There is need to establish an institutional basis for pursuing these goals so that the reawakening generated by the international conference can be sustained. It is in this respect that the conference welcomes the formation of the international Society for Benin Studies (ISBS).