Bini
/ˈbiːni/noun
A member of the Edo-speaking people of southern Nigeria, or the language traditionally associated with them.
Did you know?Bini is closely associated with the historic Kingdom of Benin, famous for its extraordinary bronze artworks and powerful royal court, although the exact origin of the name remains debated.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Edo
Bini
“An ethnonym associated with the Edo people and the historic kingdom centered on Benin City.”
15th–16th Century
Portuguese
Benim
“The name recorded by Portuguese travelers for the powerful West African kingdom.”
17th Century
Dutch and English
Benin
“A European form used for the kingdom, its court, and the surrounding region.”
19th Century
English
Bini
“An English ethnonym for the people and their language.”
Modern English
English
Bini
“A term referring to the Bini people or their language, also called Edo in many modern contexts.”