The British Museum will host a summit along with other European museums to discuss the return of bronze artifacts looted in 1897 from the kingdom of Benin, now southern Nigeria. The museum boasts the second largest collection of art from the Benin kingdom after the Ethnological Museum in Berlin. It will conduct negotiations with Nigeria and Benin about returning the items which are expected to go on permanent display in Benin City.
In the late 19th century, Britain sought to wipe out the kingdom of Benin in what became known as the “punitive expedition.” When Oba Ovonramwen, then ruler of Benin, imposed customs duties on goods leaving the territory, Britain sent 1,200 soldiers to destroy the kingdom as a form of reparations for the colonial power.
The city was set on fire and hundreds of trinkets, bronze sculptures, and
valuables were stolen and later handed to the British government. Through trade and art dealership, these artifacts have mostly ended up in Germany and the United States.
valuables were stolen and later handed to the British government. Through trade and art dealership, these artifacts have mostly ended up in Germany and the United States.
Some of the looted goods primed to be given back to Nigeria include a bronze cockerel called “Okukor,” which is currently housed at Cambridge University. In 2016, the university removed the statuette from their dining hall after a group of students petitioned for it to be sent back to Nigeria.
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, today asked the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, to lend his voice to the call for the British empire to return all the ancient Benin artifacts that were taken by the British authorities in 1897.
Speaking at the parley the visiting British royal had with royal fathers this evening, the Benin monarch told Prince Charles that the repatriation of the artifacts would enable him establish Oba Palace Museum for the promotion of tourism in his kingdom.
“Suffice to say that Nigerians in general and Benin people in particular will be most delighted to have your royal highness throw his royal weight behind our efforts to have some of our ancient artifacts that were taken in 1897 from the Royal Court of Benin returned to Benin to establish Oba Palace Museum for the promotion of tourism in Benin City, Edo State.” he said
Other traditional rulers that attended the meeting were the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi; Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and others.
GUYS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
FACEBOOK COMMENTS
Gbolahan Libra General
Why don't you update this thing since? Yuck! I ought to have benefited from this Archeological history before now.
I already wrote the exams sha.
This will help Benin economically if returned.
Then another oral history will be written
I already wrote the exams sha.
This will help Benin economically if returned.
Then another oral history will be written
Prince Raheem Samod Babatunde
And yet, many still believe this oyinbos care for us. Well, I'm not fooled.
Endy Edeson
@Gbolahan: Ooops, I am so sorry. You mean, you wrote exams relating to this "Benin Stolen Artifacts" today? And some facts in this article would have given you some points?
WELL, just that I take my time to get reliable information on topical issues. I know the news has been trending since yesterday but I needed some facts which I think would also benefit the readers here. That is why I did not rush and post yesterday.
THANKS ALOT.
WELL, just that I take my time to get reliable information on topical issues. I know the news has been trending since yesterday but I needed some facts which I think would also benefit the readers here. That is why I did not rush and post yesterday.
THANKS ALOT.
Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
Criminals
Stole our artifacts and some of cultural heritage. And yet some people think they stay here did us some good? If only people knew history as they should. In case some people don't know they should go ask why the Dutch thought Benin City looked like Amsterdam when they came
Stole our artifacts and some of cultural heritage. And yet some people think they stay here did us some good? If only people knew history as they should. In case some people don't know they should go ask why the Dutch thought Benin City looked like Amsterdam when they came
Robinson Emeke Ikebueze
Has the Benin kingdom also atoned for the atrocities it committed against neighbouring tribes during its reign in the olden days?
What goes around comes around.
What goes around comes around.
