Trading at the Frontier: Benin’s Imprint on Akoko‑Edo Markets and Trade Networks
This paper examines the historical and cultural relations between the Benin Kingdom and her Akoko-Edo neighbours, with a unique perspective on how the market exchanges were building long-lasting socio-cultural relationships. The main focus is to examine how trade acted as a medium of political, economic, and cultural unity between Benin Kingdom and Akoko-Edo region, thus, the paper will demonstrate how these exchanges led to interdependence and the development of identities. The article also seeks to point out the importance of the frontier markets like Ibillo, Ososo and Lampese in not only moving the movement of goods but also in altering the movement of customs, beliefs and language across the Benin-Akoko border. The study is done through the use of a qualitative historical approach and is based on the use of oral traditions, and established secondary literature. Using interview data collected by means of the oral exposition with local elders, those being the keeping of the tradition within the communities of Akoko-Edo, we present the knowledge and understanding of one of the past actors of trade and its lived experiences, whereas secondary sources represent the academic interpretation of what occurred in the region.
According to the findings, trade between Benin Kingdom and the Akoko people was much beyond an economic venture, as it turned out to be a form of cultural diplomacy and social cohesion. Communities had been exchanging not only goods like coral beads, palm oil and salt through markets and trade fairs but also rituals, dressing code, language trends as well as marital practices. This historical relationship has been instrumental in establishing a shared regional identity that reflects both the Benin imperial culture and the local Akoko-Edo traditions, which is still evident today in societal way of doing things and culture manifestations
