Kemetic Science Institute
Queen Idia of Benin Wooden Mask
Queen Idia of Benin Wooden Mask
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Queen Idia was the mother of Oba Esigie, who ruled the Edo people from 1504 to 1550. She was the wife of Oba Ozolua who reigned in about 1481 AD. Queen Iida became the first Iyoba (Queen Mother) of Benin. She helped significantly with the rise and reign of her son Oba Osigie. She is a famous warrior whose face became the symbol for FASTAC in 1977.
Queen Idia was the mother of Oba Esigie, who ruled the Edo people from 1504 to 1550. She was the wife of Oba Ozolua who reigned in about 1481 AD. Queen Iida became the first Iyoba (Queen Mother) of Benin. She helped significantly with the rise and reign of her son Oba Osigie. She is a famous warrior whose face became the symbol for FASTAC in 1977.
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She was a political and spiritual leader who helped her son win military victories.
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She was the first woman to fight in war and led the Benin armies to several successful battles.
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She was also a priestess of the West African religion, which was the dominant religion in the Benin Kingdom at the time.
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She was crowned Iyoba (Queen Mother) in recognition of her support and guidance during the war.
- She is immortalized in an ivory mask and commemorative bronze head held in the British Museum.