The Bini/Edo culture is majorly located in Edo state and few others in Ondo, Delta and Rivers state of Nigeria. Like many other cultures, Bini/Edo culture believes in the existence of two different worlds. The physical otherwise known as the visible world which is called ‘agbon’ in their local dialect. The other is the invisible world or spiritual world which is called ‘erinmwin’ in their local dialect. The belief in the spiritual world shows that the culture acknowledges the existence of a supernatural being, the creator of these two worlds is God Almighty called ‘Osanobua’ in their local dialect.
It is said that people of this culture also believe in a series of fourteen reincarnations. After the fourteenth reincarnation, each soul has to tell Osanubua his or her life plan to define his or her destiny.
The Edo people are the ancient ‘Kwa’ language Bini-speaking groups who occupy south/mid-western Nigeria now called Edo State. The Edo/Bini-speaking ethnic groups include Esan, the Afemai, among others. They are descendants of the people who founded the ancient and mighty Benin Empire, therefore, the term ‘Edo’ refers to these people who have shared historical origin as well as political and cultural similarities.
The Oba of Benin or Omo N’Oba, is the traditional ruler of the Edo/Bini people and head of the historic Eweka dynasty of the Benin Kingdom. The title, ‘Oba,’ was created by the Oba Eweka 1, the Kingdom’s first Oba. The Benin homeland (not to be confused with the modern-day Republic of Benin, which was formerly known as Dahomey), has been, and continues to be mostly populated by the Edo (also known as Bini or Benin ethnic group).
Among preferable foods of Bini (or Edo) culture are soups: melon or okra soups cooked with bush meat or fish; pounded yam and rice.
Edo/Bini attire is a symbolic male mode kind of dressing, combine a made Ankara flowing agbada, with voile, lace, jacquard and guinea cloth material which is accompanied by trouser. Edo/Culture are one of the people that make use of beads, a lot, they can use beads to make cloth. The traditional heads usually combine white clothing with beads.
OLUWASEUN AFOLABI
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