<P> At its height, Benin dominated trade along the entire coastline from the Western Niger Delta, through Lagos to modern - day Ghana . It was for this reason that this coastline was named the Bight of Benin . The present - day Republic of Benin, formerly Dahomey, decided to choose the name of this bight as the name of its country . Benin ruled over the tribes of the Niger Delta including the Western Igbo, Ijaw, Itshekiri, and Urhobo amongst others . It also held sway over the Eastern Yoruba tribes of Ondo, Ekiti, Mahin / Ugbo, and Ijebu . It also established the first colony of Lagos hundreds of years before the British took over in 1851 . </P> <P> The state developed an advanced artistic culture, especially in its famous artifacts of bronze, iron and ivory . These include bronze wall plaques and life - sized bronze heads depicting the Obas of Benin . The most well - known artifact is based on Queen Idia, now best known as the FESTAC Mask after its use in 1977 in the logo of the Nigeria - financed and hosted Second Festival of Black & African Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77). </P> <P> The first European travelers to reach Benin were Portuguese explorers starting with Joao Afonso de Aveiro (pt) in about 1485 . A strong mercantile relationship developed, with the Edo trading tropical products such as ivory, pepper and palm oil with for European goods such as Manilla (money) and guns . In the early 16th century, the Oba sent an ambassador to Lisbon, and the king of Portugal sent Christian missionaries to Benin City . Some residents of Benin City could still speak a pidgin Portuguese in the late 19th century . </P> <P> The first English expedition to Benin was in 1553, and significant trading developed between England and Benin based on the export of ivory, palm oil and pepper . Visitors in the 16th and 17th centuries brought back to Europe tales of "the Great Benin", a fabulous city of noble buildings, ruled over by a powerful king . However, the Oba began to suspect Britain of larger colonial designs and ceased communications with the British until the British Expedition in 1896 - 97 when British troops captured, burned, and looted Benin City as part of a punitive mission, which brought the kingdom to an end . </P>

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