Theft of artefacts: Recovering the Benin bronze Through Lisa Modiano The long-awaited return of African precious products has started after ...
Theft of artefacts: Recovering the Benin bronze
Through Lisa Modiano
The long-awaited return of African precious products has started after years of pressure from Africa and other Western organizations, and Benin's copper is one of the most significant.
The Palace of the Kingdom of Benin, which is presently located in Edo State in Nigeria, was once decorated with things like iron, ivory, and copper.
When the emirate was first created, which was sometime between 1450 and 1650, it extended from the east as far as the Niger River and from the west as far as Lagos.
The bronze depicts the historical history of the country and its accomplishments, while the copper was adorned by skilled painters who were commissioned to make it by the Oba (king).
However, the British troops invaded Benin City in the 19th century as they sought to increase their influence in West Africa.
One of the bloodiest events in British rule's history occurred when British forces assaulted the kingdom in February 1897.
They made the implication that the kingdom was governed in the manner of "Jahiliyyah" and that the British forces' incursions were what brought an end to the Kingdom of Benin.
The British forces looted the king's palace after suffering a significant loss of life and took the jewels as booty.
Even the Benin Bronzes were among the items they took; after being transported to Britain, they were transferred to various private residences and institutions throughout Europe, where they remain to this day. Since then, there have been over 5,000 pieces produced.
The wrongdoing from the past
The phrase "Bronze of Benin" itself reveals a flaw that has been passed down: it does not accurately describe the artefacts' overall contents because only a small percentage of the artifacts are made of bronze, while the majority are made of ivory and ore.
According to Susan Vogel, an African historian, this misunderstanding of the term was caused by the West's desire to downplay the importance of African cultural artifacts and transform them into what it believed to be magnificent monuments.
Bronzes are more than just beautiful objects, according to Aiko Obobaifo, an expert in Benin oral history; they represent a religion, a way of life, and a history of progress that was halted by British occupation.
Will we not all agree in 2023 on the value of our national culture, its significance to our identity, and the need to preserve and maintain it in its authentic form?
The French government reported that between 80 and 90 percent of African artifacts are still housed in Europe.
Returning the products will demonstrate the wrong that was done in the past and demonstrate that justice is being applied today.
Why is it taking so long?
When these priceless artifacts are sent back to Africa, Western museums and private collections frequently worry about how they will be handled and who will be able to legally claim ownership of them. It makes things much more difficult.
There is hope for Nigeria.
Governments and international bodies will continue to be in charge of coming up with a solution that will satisfy everyone.
Though the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the German government have all stated that they intend to return many of the museum's artifacts, progress has been made in the construction of a new museum in Benin City with the intention of displaying stockpiling and caring for priceless historical artifacts that will be returned.
This idea, however, ran into difficulties when the former president of Nigeria declared that the families of the kingdom's monarchs, from whom the goods were stolen, should regain ownership of the stolen property.
This means that the items will be delivered back to the Oba's palace or another location that the kingdom's king feels secure leaving them.
Benin's copper is a vestige of colonialism, and like any stolen property, repatriation is always preferable as the globe struggles with the problem of returning the items. and the owner was the victim.
The artifacts have a strong connection to the individuals who were taken from the Kingdom of Benin as well as the nation. They also tell the tale of the Kingdom of Benin. Nigeria has the right to decide how the products will develop, but the former colonizers do not.
Lisa Modiano, the author, is an authority on African history.
Disclaimer: TRT Afrika does not subscribe to the opinions or policies represented by the author.