The Palace of the Benin Queen Mother
 

 

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Power of the Queen Mother

 

BENIN
-The Palace
 -Iyoba and Oba heads
Altars

 

ASANTE
-Royal Kente cloth
-Gold Stools

 

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African Art Home

 

 		   As you can in the map of a Benin Kingdom the Queen Mother's palace is located away from the capital. Her residence is separate then that of the king because once her son becomes king they are no longer able to be in direct contact with each other.  In this example of a Benin village the Queen Mother's Palace is
even located outside of the outer wall along with the Crown Prince's Palace.  This is
intended to lessen the threat of overtaking the kingdom by distributing the political power. (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Queen resides at her palace with many attendants as well as the wives of the king.  The palace is said to have some of the most lavish decorations in the Kingdom.  The Queen herself was often lavishly dressed in cloth that has beautiful designs on the fabric and with very elaborate jewelry.