Nigeria receives largest single return of Benin Bronzes artifacts | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Benin Bronzes: Sculptures crafted between the 15th and 19th centuries for the royal court in Benin City (modern-day Nigeria).
• Looted Art: Art taken by force, especially during war or conflict, considered to be stolen property.
• Restitution: The act of restoring something to its rightful owner; in this context, returning looted art.
• Repatriation: The process of returning a person or object to their place of origin.
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Traditional knowledge and practices used by local communities for preservation and other purposes.
• Oral History: Historical information passed down through generations by word of mouth.

Return of Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands

• The Verald Museum in Leiden, Netherlands, is returning over 100 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, marking the largest single return of these artifacts to date.
• These bronzes were looted during a violent British raid in 1897 from the Kingdom of Benin.
• The British expedition in 1897 involved violence and the looting of the entire palace, after which the artifacts were sold throughout Europe to various museums.
• The Netherlands has a restitution policy in place, acknowledging that the bronzes are looted art and do not belong in Dutch museums, despite having been paid for.

Significance of the Benin Bronzes

• The sculptures were crafted between the 15th and 19th centuries for the royal court in Benin City.
• The bronzes represent national identity and are featured on Nigerian passports.
• They are considered a restoration of dignity for the Nigerian people.
• According to Dr. Oluatoyin Sogbesan, the bronzes are a record of the culture, everyday life, materiality, spirituality, belief system, and cultural festivals of the Benin people. They also depict the position of the Oba (king) as the custodian of their culture.
• The bronzes tell stories and record the different uses of beads in dressing, providing insights into the history and traditions of the Benin people.

Logistics of Repatriation

• Each object is being individually packed in a specially designed box with protective material.
• The bronzes will be flown to Lagos, Nigeria.
• Four bronzes will remain on loan from Nigeria to the museum in Leiden to continue telling the story of stolen art.

Comparison to Other Returns and Outstanding Issues

• Germany returned around 20 Benin Bronzes in 2022.
• Some bronzes have also been returned from UK galleries.
• A major collection of around 900 bronzes remains in the British Museum in London, restricted by an act of Parliament from the 1960s.
• Nigerian Dutch student Toyosi hopes the return from the Netherlands will increase pressure for the British Museum to return its collection.

Call for Further Restitution

• There is a desire to see the remaining 900+ pieces returned from the British Museum.
• The bronzes are not just art but a part of history, especially oral history.
• Dr. Sogbesan advocates for the return of all Benin artifacts, stating that they should be packed up and sent back to the rightful owners.
• She criticizes the complex processes and laws that hinder the return of looted artifacts, arguing that the historical context of looting, violence, and loss of life should be considered.
• Dr. Sogbesan suggests that restitution should precede conversations about proper preservation.

Addressing Concerns About Preservation

• Criticism exists, both internationally and within Nigeria, regarding the country's capacity to preserve the returned artifacts.
• Dr. Sogbesan dismisses these concerns as "flimsy," arguing that the Benin people have always had their own indigenous knowledge systems for preserving their cultural heritage.
• She emphasizes that these indigenous methods have been effective in preserving the artifacts until they were looted.
• Dr. Sogbesan believes that these indigenous preservation methods need to be acknowledged and respected.

Notable Quotes:

• Museum representative: "This is looted art, it doesn't belong here although we paid for it."
• Dr. Oluatoyin Sogbesan: "Simply pack them up and send them back to the rightful owners."
• Dr. Oluatoyin Sogbesan: "I see those reasons as very flimsy because the people have always kept their stuff before they were looted."

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The return of the Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands represents a significant step towards restitution and the recognition of Nigeria's cultural heritage. While this repatriation is celebrated, it also highlights the ongoing struggle to reclaim looted artifacts from other institutions, particularly the British Museum. The discussion also addresses concerns about Nigeria's capacity for preservation, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and respecting indigenous knowledge systems in safeguarding cultural heritage. The overall sentiment is one of hope that this return will pave the way for further restitution and a greater understanding of the historical context surrounding the looting of these invaluable artifacts.