Will the British Museum return the Benin Bronzes?
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Will the British Museum return the Benin Bronzes?
On 27 October 2021, Cambridge University will be the first UK institution to officially repatriate one of the looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The “Benin Bronzes” is the name given to thousands of artifacts from the Kingdom of Benin, or Edo Empire, that was once located in the southern region of modern day Nigeria.
Where is Benin Bronzes now?
The Benin Bronzes come from Benin City, the historic capital of the Kingdom of Benin, a major city state in West Africa from the medieval period. Benin City became part of the British Empire from 1897 to 1960 and is now located within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Who wants Benin Bronzes?
Nigeria
While Germany has said it wants to return Benin Bronzes from its museums to Nigeria, the British Museum, which houses the largest and most significant collection of the items, has stopped short of making a clear commitment.
What modern day country would Benin be in right now?
It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east….Benin.
| Republic of Benin République du Bénin (French) | |
|---|---|
| Location of Benin (dark green) | |
| Capital | Porto-Novoa |
| Largest city | Cotonou |
| Official languages | French |
Which museum has the most Benin Bronzes?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has held one of the largest collections in the U.S. of Benin Bronzes, a group of objects looted by British soldiers in 1897 from the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now Nigeria.
How did England get the Benin Bronzes?
The Benin Bronzes were scattered around the world after 1897 Brought to Britain by returning members of the expeditionary force, some Bronzes were kept in private collections until the person died, while others were sold to fund the expedition.
Where did Bini migrate from?
tradition says the Bini came from a place north of the Niger originally and lived under a king Lamorodu” (Roth 1968:6). The Benin chronicler J.U Egharevba collected material in the 1920s and 1930s.
Are there any Benin Bronzes in the US?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has held one of the largest collections in the U.S. of Benin Bronzes, a group of objects looted by British soldiers in 1897 from the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now Nigeria. Sending back the two Benin Bronzes is a relatively minor step with potentially major implications.
What do the Benin Bronzes represent?
The Benin Bronzes are from Benin City The 3,000-plus items that make up the Benin Bronzes include statues and plaques that decorated the palace of the Oba, the king of Benin, and are representations of kings and queen mothers of the Edo people (the people of Benin) and a historical record of the kingdom.
Where were the Benin Bronzes stolen from?
These treasures – metal castings and ivory carvings – were looted from the West African kingdom of Benin (in modern-day Nigeria) by the British in 1897.