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CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Introduction

            The study of the place of ancient Benin moat in the socio-political and economic life significance of Benin history from the early period to the present has aroused a wide range of interests amongst scholars and writers in recent times. The Benin moat, also known traditionally as Iya, is the largest man-made earthworks in the world.¹ One of the wonders of the world, it predates the use of modern earth-moving equipment or technology in these parts. The moat encircles the old perimeter precincts of the City and was constructed as a defensive barrier in times of war in ancient Benin.²

            According to O. B. Osadolor work, it was recorded that Oba Oguola {about 1280-1295} dug the first and second moats to fortify the City from invaders; Udo warriors “Iyokuo” under the command of Chief Akpanigiakon a powerful war lord, and the ruler of Udo. Oba Oguola further decreed that important towns and Villages should build similar moats as defence systems around their communities.³ This gave rise to twenty of such moats around Benin City and its environs. Oba Oguola succeeded in crushing Chief Akpanigiakon and his powerful armies at the battle of Urhezen about 1285 CE. An extension of the moat was constructed in the 15th century during the reign of {12th} Oba Ewuare the Great (1440-1473 CE).The Benin moat is over 3200 kilometres long.⁴

              This statement buttresses the fact that the fortification of ancient Benin city was centred on the basis of political combat between the ancient Benin kingdom and their enemy. In other words, the creation of Benin moat system was part of the ancient military strategy use by the Oba and his army as way of defending the territory from invaders who saw the kingdom as a threat to their political existence. However, I have observed from the various work that there are limited significant write-up on the historical significance of Benin moat to Benin history and that there is a need to undertake further studies aimed at highlighting the place of Benin moat to our contemporary society of Benin history and with a focus on the socio-political and economic significant to Benin studies.

            Therefore, this study attempts to highlight the place of Benin moat in the ancient Benin kingdom, by examining its socio-political and economic impact to the existence of ancient Benin kingdom and how its relevance to contemporary Benin society. For a better and more organized research, this study is grouped into five different chapters.

            The first chapter attempts to give an introduction to the background to the study, the justification of this study, the statement of problem, its aim and objectives, its scope, methodology and a review of various literature relating to this study. The second chapter attempts to study the antecedence of Benin moats in ancient Benin kingdom, by exploring their activities in the socio-political and economic spheres. The third chapter attempts to highlight the palace politics and the impact of Benin moats to the ancient Benin security. That is; how the moats protect the ancient Benin kingdom from intruder, in other words what was the purpose for creation of the moat. The fourth chapter attempts to highlight the influence and significant of Benin moat to Benin socio-cultural and economic relevance. The fifth and final chapter attempts to give a general summary of the entire research and give possible contributions on her the moats can be protected from extinction.

            This study therefore, would be a compliment to the general understanding of Benin moats contribution in the history of Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general. The study will be a viable source of information for future researchers on this subject and its likes.

Aim and Objectives of the Study

            The aim of this research is to assert the evaluation of the significant of Benin moat to Benin sociopolitical and cultural heritage; from the pre-colonial to the post-colonial period

The study has the following as its basic objectives:

1. To examine the antecedence of Benin moats in ancient Benin kingdom.
2. To analyze the specific nature and construction of Benin moats.
3. To investigate the socio-political relevant of Benin moats to ancient Benin kingdom.
4.  To evaluate the changes and present of Benin moats to the Benin kingdom.

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