FOCUS ON EDO STATE CULTURE AND TOURISM

                         FOCUS ON EDO  STATE CULTURE AND TOURISM




Edo is an inland state in southern Nigeria. Its capital is Benin City. It is bounded in the north and east by Kogi State, in the south by Delta State and in the west by Ondo State.

The Edo are the descendants of the people who founded the former Benin Empire, which was located in South/Mid-Western Nigeria, encompassing what is now the Edo State of Nigeria, as well as surrounding areas.

Edo State consists of eighteen (18) Local Government Areas. They are:
  • Akoko-Edo
  • Egor
  • Esan Central
  • Esan North-East
  • Esan South-East
  • Esan West
  • Etsako Central
  • Etsako East
  • Etsako West
  • Igueben
  • Ikpoba-Okha
  • Oredo
  • Orhionmwon
  • Ovia North-West
  • Ovia North-East
  • Ovia South-West
  • Owan East
  • Owan West
  • Uhunmwonde
Centuries ago, at the time when Benin was called Igodmingodo, that geographical area known as Benin, was the hub of a Conglomeration of little towns that developed and spread into most of the areas of modern Bendel State. However, as time went by, the name was changed to Edo State, harboring the Bini tribe: Africa's most popular and artistic people from Nigeria that built the precolonial ancient and powerful Benin Kingdom.

  Bini Kingdom has been known to have very significant traditional role for the Coral beads. They have mainly two kinds of Coral beads; 'Ivie' and Ekan'. They are both members of the Coral beads family. Corals are mined from Coral stones in oceans and polished to jewelries. 'Ivie' is a specie of Coral beads, an important type of jewelry worn by Edo Chiefs. 'Ekan' looks like a stone and is grayish in color.

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Tourism:


Benin Brass Work
Known as the centre of bronze and brass artwork, Benin brass work is one of the remarkable art works in the world. Benin is well known as the place of the best bronze casters in West Africa. Bronze casters are all over the city.


Okomu National Park
Located in Ovia South LGA, the park which lies 45km west of Benin City is a home of forest elephants, buffaloes, red river hogs, chimpanzees, leopards, bush baby, putty nosed guenon, porcupine, pangolins, duikers, antelopes etc . The white throated monkey which is one of the rarest monkeys in the world today is found in the park. Butterflies and birds are abundant making it one of the best places for bird watching in Nigeria.


Oba’s Palace, Benin City
Rebuilt in 1914, the palace is in the heart of the city which is a centre of historical monuments, whose history dates as far back as 900A.D. It is veritable repository of Benin history where crafts and culture, specimens of art works depicting historical events can be seen. The palace is a tenth of the size of the original place which was razed to ground in 1897 by the British forces.


Benin City Wall & Moat
The moats which were built around the city to ward off enemies, are the most impressive city walls and moat known locally as “Iya” in southern Nigeria. Most of the walls were destroyed by the British when they invaded Benin in 1897. A portion of the remaining old city wall can be found along Murtala muhammed Way.


Benin City Museum
This is a national museum located in the middle of the round-about in King’s square. The museum was constructed in 1973 and houses some of the most treasured antiquities and the world famous bronze works of the ancient Benin. Other works includes terracotta, Ivory carving and cast-iron artifacts etc.


Igun Bronze Casters And Crafts Centre, Igun
This is the centre of Benin’s best art and craft makers where bronze are casts into crafts.


Edo Cultural Dance
Benin city is blessed with interesting and amazing dances with the best of colourful costumes that make the dancers look beautiful. A visit to Benin city would afford the visitors the opportunity of learning more about Benin culture.


Victor Uwaifor Art Gallery, Benin
This gallery is owned by a famous artist and musician Victor Uwaifor and it displays different art works and crafts.


NIFOR Estate, Benin
NIFOR is a research centre created by the Federal Government of Nigeria and mandated to research on producing the best yields in oil palms, coconut and other agricultural seedlings. This research centre occupies a vast land where oil palm plantations, coconut plantations, processing unit, laboratory, nursery beds, and residential quarters are found. This centre produced the seedlings that were planted and nurtured in Malaysia.


Ososo Tourist Centre
Ososo is a hilly and rocky town situated on the boundary between Edo and Kogi states. There is a non-catering rest house on top of a hill of Ososo which provides a wide and spectacular view of parts of Kogi state.


Somorika Hill
Located at the northern border with Kogi state, Somorika Hill has a picturesque beauty and environment.


Okomu National Park
Located in Ovia South LGA, the park which lies 45km west of Benin City is a home of forest elephants, buffaloes, red river hogs, chimpanzees, leopards, bush baby, putty nosed guenon, porcupine, pangolins, duikers, antelopes etc . The white throated monkey which is one of the rarest monkeys in the world today is found in the park. Butterflies and birds are abundant making it one of the best places for bird watching in Nigeria.


Other tourist destinations
  • Sand Beaches of Agenebode
  • Sakpoba Holiday Resort
  • Ramat Park
  • Iyoma, Iyafun and Ozalla Springs
  • Udo Tourist Centre
  • Lampese Crocodile Lakes
  • Ughoton Grave
  • Gelegele Fountains
  • Idoma Hill
  • Amahor Waterside
Tags: come to Nigeria

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