The character of the Benin people has been described by Dutch traveler David Van Nyendael, who visited Benin in 1699 wrote an account of the kingdom of Benin. Nyendael's description was published in 1704 by Willem Bossman another Dutch officer of the West Indian company but spent his time in the Gold Coast.
In his description, Nyendael states the following about the character of the Benin people:
“The inhabitants of the Benin are in general a kind and polite people, of whom one with kindness might get everything he desires. Whatever might be offered to them out of politeness, will always be doubled in return. However, they want their politeness to be returned with likewise courtesy as well, without the appearance of any disappointment or rudeness, and rightly so. To be sure, trying to take anything from them with force or violence, would be as if one tries to reach out to the Moon and will never be left unreckoned. When it comes to trade, they are very strict and will not suffer the slightest infringement of their customs, not even a iota can be changed. Though, when one is willing to accept these customs, they are very easy-going and will cooperate in every way possible to reach an agreement”.
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