### The Great Wall of Benin City: an architectural and cultural heritage to rediscover
In the collective imagination, the walls often evoke famous fortifications, such as the Great Wall of China. However, another architectural feat, just as impressive, deserves renewed attention: the Great Wall of Benin City. Although often overshadowed by its more publicized counterparts, this structure not only represents a technical feat, but it also embodies the richness of African history and culture. An opportunity is then offered to rethink our understanding of this architectural wonder through a new prism, filled with fluidity and diversity that characterize African societies over time.
### A pre -colonial engineering symbol
Built in the 15th century by the Edo people, this wall extends over more than 16,000 kilometers, constituting one of the largest constructions of the world in the world. This masterpiece illustrating the advanced skills of builders, testifies to their understanding of materials and techniques. The Edo craftsmen used a specific mixture of land and clay, learning to combine these resources with local geography to guarantee the sustainability and resistance of their constructions in the face of bad weather and possible assaults.
To understand the scope of this achievement, it would be relevant to make a comparison with other emblematic constructions around the world. For example, the pyramids of Egypt, although built in stone, also required a mathematical precision and a social organization comparable to that of the builders of the Great Wall of Benin City. Indeed, the logistical requirements and the craft expertise required to erect these structures underline a sophistication that we have long underestimated in the African context.
### Recognition long ignored
Despite its magnitude and efficiency, the great wall of Benin City was largely omitted by dominant historical stories, in particular those tinged by colonization. This phenomenon, far from being isolated, affected many African achievements that are still struggling to find their place in the world historical canon. During the colonial period, stories have often reduced complex civilizations to simple caricatures, overlooking architectural and cultural advances.
In addition, recent studies show that global recognition of African contributions to the history of engineering and architecture is constantly evolving. In 2019, UNESCO has listed several African architectural sites as a World Heritage Site, testifying to an increasing desire to reassess these achievements. It is essential to expand this framework to include the great wall of Benin City, because its recognition could not only be used to restore part of dignity to African peoples, but also enrich the overall story of human history.
### An opportunity for cultural interconnection
Registering the Great Wall of Benin City in the world narrative is not limited to a simple historical rectification. This is also an opportunity to develop new cultural interconnections between nations. By highlighting this wall, we invite researchers, architects, and artists from around the world to dialogue around African materials and methods, generating a dynamic of respect and innovation.
Cultural festivals inspired by this wall could also bring people together, promoting an exchange of ideas and values. For example, events could highlight the construction techniques of various cultures, by encouraging collaboration in the search for sustainable approaches for contemporary infrastructure around the world. In doing so, we would literally build bridges – bridges of understanding, respect and creativity – a stone at a time.
### Wall as an act of resilience
The great wall of Benin City is also a symbol of resilience. At a time when African nations continue to face challenges related to identity, rights and recognition, this structure reminds us that African civilizations have never been “primitive”, but endowed with unprecedented ingenuity.
The complexity of constructions like the Great Wall can be compared with contemporary struggles for cultural recognition through movements such as African rap, which, like wall, stands against stereotypes and imposed narrative constructions. This dialogue between past and present is an invitation to think of culture as a living process, constantly evolving.
### Conclusion
The need to rediscover and celebrate the great wall of Benin City is today more than ever urgent. It is not only a question of paying tribute to our ancestors but also of forging a future where all cultures, including those of Africa, are honored and integrated into the global story of humanity. By recognizing the importance of this wall, we open the way to a richer and more nuanced global cultural fabric, marked by mutual respect and an appreciation of the diversities that animate us. More than a simple geographic structure, the great wall of Benin City is a living monument, carrying the voices and stories of African peoples, a poignant recall that the union of hearts reinforces the strength and resilience of cultures in the face of adversity.