THE IKPIGHO – Cowrie of Benin Kingdom

THE IKPIGHO – Cowrie of Benin Kingdom

THE IKPIGHO – Cowrie of Benin Kingdom
IKPIGHO or Cowrie was the currency of the day in Ancient Benin and many other African communities. It was used for decorative flooring in Ancient Benin Architecture, as well as used by Olokun Priestesses as part of their divining tools etc.

In 1700s, Oba Eresoyen introduced the idea of banking to Benin and he built a house known as Owigho or AZA (bank).

According to Richard Akinjide in his article – “100 years after the invasion of Benin”, “ The Kingdom of Benin was already in continuous contact with the nations of the Mediterranean for at least 1,500years before the the Europeans came to Benin. The kingdom’s commercial and foreign relations were well established. It had its own money economy independent of the Europeans. The kingdom of Benin’s own currency known as “Igho“ was accepted for trade and general means of exchange in East, West, and North Africa. The kingdom was part of the African Empires and kingdoms independent and sovereign at a time when Europe was part of the Roman colonies.”