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EXTRACT # 1
The royal palace is the most impressive building in all of Benin. It is square and very large, and shows off the Oba's wealth and power. The Oba is the ruler of Benin. His palace has buildings for his wives and children, and his palace chiefs. There are also guardrooms and stores for food and weapons. |
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EXTRACT # 2
Outside the city is the palace of the Queen Mother. She does not live in the Oba's palace. She is forbidden from seeing Oba. The Queen Mother is very honoured to have her own palace. It is similar to the Oba's ans surrounded by walls. |
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EXTRACT # 3
The buildings of the Oba's palace are grouped around courtyards, which are surrounded by walls.The main entrance into the palace has a tall tower decorated with large snake - a symbol of his royal power. |
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EXTRACT # 4
Anyone entering or leaving Benin must pass through one of the nine gates in the city wall. The wall is round and made up of earth, dug out of the ditches that surround the city. The ditches are like the moat of a castle. |
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EXTRACT # 5
Outside Benin there are many farms. The farmers clear away the dense tropical rain forest and plant crops in the fields that they have made. Most people make their living from farming. |
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EXTRACT # 6
Outside the palace is the Oba's market. It is one of man markets in Benin city. Most of the traders are women, selling goods that their family have made or food that they have grown. There are many stalls. The goods are laid out underneath covers, to protect them from the sun. |
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EXTRACT # 7
Benin is divided into different wards. Each ward is an area where different types of craftsmen work. The most important wards are the Brass worker's Ward where brass statues are made, and the Metal caster's Ward where pots, tools and weapons are made. A ward has lots of work houses arranged around a courtyard. |
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EXTRACT # 8
The Town Chiefs collect taxes from the people and help with the running of the city. They are important people who have been brave in battle or earned great wealth. They live in large houses in their own part of Benin, separated from the palace by a wide main road. |
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EXTRACT # 9
The building of Benin are made from clay mud. It is left to harden in the sun. All the buildings have thick thatch roofs. Rain that runs off the roofs is stored and used for drinking and cooking. |
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EXTRACT # 10
The roads lead from the center of the city to each of the city gates. Between these roads, the buildings are scattered in areas of cleared land. |
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