Marietta Iyinbor

Arhuan the Giant Marietta Iyinbor

The Benin bronze and other beautiful artifacts of the Benin kingdom of Nigeria are popular and found in homes and museums in countries around the world. The ancient kingdom which conquered many kingdoms to become an empire in the 15 century was one of the greatest and most advanced ancient civilization in African history. The kingdom still exists today with a royal house that is almost a thousand years old. The long history of the great kingdom was shaped by interesting people and events, and their stories have been told for hundreds of years from generation to generation. This story takes us to an important time in history when the Benin kingdom was ruled by great warrior Obas (kings) who conquered other kingdoms far and wide, expanded the Benin kingdom into an empire, and trade with Europeans. It is a story of one of the biggest rivalries in the kingdom between two Benin princes and the two biggest towns in the kingdom which began when a newly born baby was robbed of his birthright to be king of the kingdom. The baby who later grew up to be a giant warrior desperately wanted to be the king but the giant who has been successful in several battles must have to defeat his half-brother, the crowned prince, and the crowned prince's mother who is a powerful sorcerer and warrior. The story is that of culture, tradition, battles, strategy, magic, family, desperation, defeat, and victory. This picture book was written for kids age 6 to 16 to help them learn about the history, legends, language, culture, and tradition of the ancient Benin kingdom but is a good read for adults too. It features the famous Benin moat (which is the longest ancient man-made earthwork in the world), bronze plaques, and architecture.