Igun Street

Igun-Eronmwon Quarters was established during the second Ogisoship period of the first Benin royal dynasty by Ogiso Ere (16 – 66 A.D).{{cite web |last1=Naiwu |first1=Osahon |title=Ogiso Time and Eweka Times |url=https://edoworld.net/Ogisos_40BC_1100AD.html |website=Benin Kingdom |publisher=edoworld.net |access-date=26 August 2023}} It was referred to as 'Obayagbon' during this time, translating to 'all land belongs to the king'.{{cite book |last1=Read and Dalton |first1=Charles and Ormonde |title=Antiquities from the City of Benin and from other Parts of West Africa in the British Museum |date=1899 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=London UK |page=6}}

Igun-Eronmwon Quarters remained within the Benin Palace Royal Grounds until 1897. During the reign of Oba Esigie (1504 – 1550), bronze casting evolved into elaborate art forms such as plaques, which served religious, record-keeping, and commercial purposes. Oba Esigie solidified the trade monopoly of the Guild of Benin Royal Bronze Casters, designating quarters specifically for them.{{cite book |last1=Nimmons |first1=Fidelia |title=The Genius of Benin Military |date=2021 |publisher=Amazon |location=UK |isbn=979-8472627764 |page=42}} In November 1899, seven Royal chiefs of Benin reported that the place had suffered damage during the Benin Expedition of 1897.{{cite book |last1=Read and Dalton |first1=Charles and Ormonde |title=Antiquities from the City of Benin and from other Parts of West Africa in the British Museum |date=1899 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=London UK |page=4}}

In 1914, when the Benin throne was restored to Eweka II, Oba Ovonramwen’sfirst son, some of the craftsmen who had fled during the war returned, and the quarters were moved to Igun Street. The craftsmen were encouraged to replicate the objects that had been taken by the British, and they began rebuilding their practice.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijah/article/view/152306|title=The Origin and Development of the Guild of Bronze Casters of Benin Kingdom up to 1914|first=Ese Vivian|last=Odiahi|date=August 28, 2017|journal=AFRREV IJAH: An International Journal of Arts and Humanities|volume=6|issue=1|pages=176–187|via=www.ajol.info|doi=10.4314/ijah.v6i1.15|doi-access=free}} Restrictions on the sale of artworks were also lifted.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijah/article/view/152306|title=The Origin and Development of the Guild of Bronze Casters of Benin Kingdom up to 1914|first=Ese Vivian|last=Odiahi|date=August 28, 2017|journal=AFRREV IJAH: An International Journal of Arts and Humanities|volume=6|issue=1|page=184|via=www.ajol.info|doi=10.4314/ijah.v6i1.15|doi-access=free}} Oba Akenzua II (1933 – 1978) furthered this work during his rule, advocating for the return of looted artifacts.

The Guild of Benin Bronze Casters preserves Benin history and historical artifacts. The guild's artworks transmit Benin history across generations.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijah/article/view/152306|title=The Origin and Development of the Guild of Bronze Casters of Benin Kingdom up to 1914|first=Ese Vivian|last=Odiahi|date=August 28, 2017|journal=AFRREV IJAH: An International Journal of Arts and Humanities|volume=6|issue=1|pages=180|via=www.ajol.info|doi=10.4314/ijah.v6i1.15|doi-access=free}} The Oba of Benin holds authority over their activities and grants franchises to craftsmen with ancestral ties to Igun Street, where past generations practiced bronze and brass craftsmanship for Obas.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-30 |title=The legacy of Igun street in the age of EMOWAA |url=http://lifestyle.thecable.ng/the-legacy-of-igun-street-in-the-age-of-emowaa/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=TheCable Lifestyle |language=en-US}}

The Inneh N’Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn serves as the head of the guild, responsible for safeguarding the art of bronze casting in Benin. This position is hereditary. A literate member, not hereditary, is appointed as the secretary to document proceedings.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijah/article/view/152306|title=The Origin and Development of the Guild of Bronze Casters of Benin Kingdom up to 1914|first=Ese Vivian|last=Odiahi|date=August 28, 2017|journal=AFRREV IJAH: An International Journal of Arts and Humanities|volume=6|issue=1|page=185|via=www.ajol.info|doi=10.4314/ijah.v6i1.15|doi-access=free}} Currently, Eric Ogbemudia holds the position of secretary.

Guild members share a common ancestry. Only descendants of the original seven families from Igun Street have the privilege to practice as Benin bronze and brass casters. They have maintained this exclusive right since the era of Igueghae, the first leader of the guild during Ogiso Ere's reign.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijah/article/view/152306|title=The Origin and Development of the Guild of Bronze Casters of Benin Kingdom up to 1914|first=Ese Vivian|last=Odiahi|date=August 28, 2017|journal=AFRREV IJAH: An International Journal of Arts and Humanities|volume=6|issue=1|pages=177|via=www.ajol.info|doi=10.4314/ijah.v6i1.15|doi-access=free}} Over centuries, the kings granted them this privilege in exchange for meeting specific needs of the royal palace.{{cite web |last1=Project |first1=Team |title=Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn |url=https://digitalbenin.org/map#beninkingdom&all&guilds |website=Digital Benin |access-date=26 August 2023}} They produced bronze and brass sculptures for the Oba, chiefs, and priests within Benin City and the Benin Kingdom.{{cite book |last1=Ben-Amos |first1=Paula Girshick |title=The Art of Benin Revised Edition |date=1995 |publisher=British Museum Press |location=UK |isbn=0-7141-2520-2 |page=14}}

Following the sacking of the Kingdom of Benin in 1897, the necessity to fulfill palace requirements diminished. With the authorization to practice and trade, bronze casters establish their workshops and craft sculptures for global trade,{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijah/article/view/152306|title=The Origin and Development of the Guild of Bronze Casters of Benin Kingdom up to 1914|first=Ese Vivian|last=Odiahi|date=August 28, 2017|journal=AFRREV IJAH: An International Journal of Arts and Humanities|volume=6|issue=1|pages=185|via=www.ajol.info|doi=10.4314/ijah.v6i1.15|doi-access=free}} alongside addressing the Oba's needs. Their traditional bronze casting methods have endured through generations without significant changes. The guild's secretive techniques remain inaccessible to outsiders.

Anyone owning a Benin bronze and brass artwork must have proof of purchase from Igun Street. Every buyer of Benin Bronze artwork is issued with a receipt and a duplicate kept by the workshop.{{CN|date=August 2023}}

• Benin Moat
• Art of the Kingdom of Benin
• Benin Bronzes

{{Reflist}}

• [https://ncac.gov.ng/culturalvirtualtour/igunbronzestreet/ Igun Street | NCAC | Virtual Tour Created by i360Limited.com]

Category:Benin City

Category:Streets in Benin City