We are excited to announce our newest community gathering, ‘Tales By Ázágbà,’ a bi-monthly session for artists, cultural practitioners, and community elders to share the stories that shape their lives, practices, and communities in and outside Benin City.
On the 17th of July, 2025, for the first edition of ‘Tales By Ázágbà,’ we’ll gather at the Black Muse Residence for riveting tales on the Benin guild system.
Themed ‘Guilds of the Benin Kingdom: The Hands That Built an Empire,’ the inaugural edition turns a keen eye to the guilds underpinning the Benin Empire. For decades, much has been discussed, interrogated, and debated about the 1897 punitive invasion of Benin City. This session, hosted in partnership with Tell That Story, however, foregrounds the lost practices of legacy Benin guilds and their legacy in contemporary times.
The session is free to attend, but spaces are limited, and admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis.