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SUMMARY
In this present time, the civilization of Africa cannot be fully discussed without mention of Benin kingdom, a forest region located in the southern part of West Africa where an exclusive indigenous technology of bronze casting emerged. Initially, this civilization was erroneously classified as a hermitic technology as it was not believed that the Binis could be so innovative as to create such great technology with their hands. That Benin art and crafts flourished under the craft guilds system is in no doubt. The beginning of the guilds system in Benin kingdom can be dated back to the initial rulers of the kingdom who were referred to as Ogiso (Ogle means king and Iso rneanssky) around AD900.1 The craft guilds developed to the extent that its products and activities adequately responded to all aspects of the Oba’s needs. There is therefore, no aspect of the Oba’s needs that was not effectively catered for by the craft guilds; being it social, political and economic Benin rulers understood the benefits derived from the establishment of the guild systems with monopolistic rights to serve them. So, it was a conscious effort to foster the monarchical institution in Benin which is believed was as a result of the craft guild which gave the economic support to the Benin kingdom and was one of the basic factors responsible for the survival of the kingdom.
