Benin Bronze Casters in Edo State uphold centuries-old royal bronze traditions despite rising material costs and a shrinking guild
After a short cooling period, a mould is dug up and opened, revealing three small bronze heads fashioned after an ancient monarch of the former Benin Kingdom in Edo State, Nigeria.
Benin City, the Edo capital, has long been renowned as the heart of bronze and brass craftsmanship. Its most famous works—statues and plaques that once adorned the royal palace—were looted by British forces in 1897 and are now scattered across museums and private collections worldwide.
Nigeria has been actively seeking their return, with Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands already returning hundreds of artefacts.
Igun Street, home to the historic Guild of Benin Bronze Casters, remains the epicentre of this centuries-old tradition.
The street is dotted with shops displaying statuettes of all sizes, mostly royal figures, crafted by guild members who have passed down their expertise from father to son for generations.
One artisan, speaking of his craft, said he is capable of “making anything” in bronze but takes the greatest pride in casting objects in the likeness of kings and queens.
Two years ago, he was part of a team that secretly created a 10-metre statue of Queen Idia, the first Queen Mother of Benin, known for securing the throne for her son, Oba Esigie.
Once flourishing and funded by the Oba, the guild now counts only 120 members. Its head, Kingsley Osarhenhen Inneh, 65, lamented the soaring cost of materials.
A kilogram of brass, he explained, has risen in four years from 600 naira (40 US cents) to 8,000 naira ($5.5), often salvaged from vehicle carcasses. Inneh hopes for financial support to modernise equipment, making production easier and more efficient.
Matthew Mathias, a 43-year-old from northern Nigeria, trained under a local caster after arriving in Benin City a decade ago. “I have become like their adopted son,” he said.
Handling fire, heavy loads, and digging under the scorching sun, the work remains gruelling, though the electric blower has replaced manual stoking.
Mathias reflects on the craft’s hardships as a metaphor for life: “The fire… brings out the ability in a man. If I can overcome this fire, I will endure the heat of society.”
Meanwhile, 32-year-old Kelly Omodamwen has carved her own path, creating minimalist bronze sculptures inspired by local mythology and history.
She told of returning to traditional stories despite experimenting with different forms. Her works have found buyers in Europe and the United States, reflecting the global appeal of Benin City’s artisanal heritage.
Despite economic challenges and declining membership, the Benin Bronze Casters continue to safeguard a centuries-old tradition, ensuring that Edo State remains the beating heart of Nigeria’s royal bronze legacy.
Business3 years ago
