Pressure on British Museum as Oxbridge uni’s return stolen artefacts

Hundreds of Benin Bronze were stolen from Benin City by British colocial forces (Picture: Chris Loades)

PRECIOUS ARTEFACTS looted from Benin City more than 100 years ago are to be returned by Oxford and Cambridge universities, increasing pressure on the British Museum to follow suit. 

Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) made an official claim for the return of 97 objects from the Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean Museum collections in Oxford, and 116 items from the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) at the University of Cambridge to be returned.

The objects, which include Benin Bronzes, were looted by colonial forces in 1897 during a campaign known as the Benin Punitive Expedition. 

The historical move comes after a recent accord was signed between the west-African country and Germany to have thousands of pieces taken from Benin City to finally return home.

The Nigerian government is developing the Edo Museum of West African Arts, in addition with a storage and study facility for returned artefacts, which will be located next to the Benin City museum.

A protester demands the return of the Benin Bronzes last year (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)

The British Museum, who have hundreds of Benin Bronzes in their possession, are also now facing calls to follow in suit of other British institutions for reparatory justice.

A spokesperson from the museum said it “understands and recognises” the heightened demands for objects of this nature to be returned, but that they work with communities, colleagues and museums around the world “to share the collection as widely as possible.”

“The Museum cares for over 900 objects from the historic Kingdom of Benin and they convey the richness of court rituals and ceremonies as well as the power, influence and military prowess of the Benin Kingdom,” the spokesperson said.

Destruction

“The collections also offer an important opportunity for audiences to understand the history of the British conquest of Benin City and to reflect on the impact of this period of colonial history.

“We are working closely  with a range of stakeholders and partners in Nigeria including the Nigerian Government, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Benin Royal Palace, Edo State Government, and the Edo Museum of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA).

“We actively engage with partners through the Benin Dialogue Group and the Digital Benin Initiative, while research and cultural exchange initiatives are also key priorities that we deliver through our African Histories and Heritage Programme. This programme includes a 5-year archaeological partnership currently investigating historic Benin City, enabling the Museum to invest in local communities, exchange knowledge and build capacity by sharing skills and expertise.”

They added: “The British Museum remains committed to thorough and open investigation of Benin collection histories. This includes fully understanding the colonial history and the destruction and looting of Benin City by British forces in 1897 which form the key contexts for the development of the Museum’s Benin collections, as acknowledged in the galleries and on the Museum’s website.   

“Deepening public access and understanding, creating new ways and opportunities for collections to be shared and understood right across the world, and forging connections between the present and the past, remain at the core of what the British Museum seeks to achieve.” 

Following the claim for the artefacts, councils from both Oxford and Cambridge University have announced their intentions to consider it by autumn this year.

The UK Charity Commission will have the final decision on authorising the reparations process for both institutions.

In a statement from Oxford University, they said: “On 7 January 2022, the Pitt Rivers Museum received a claim from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria, for the return of 97 objects in the Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean Museum collections that were taken from Benin City by British armed forces in 1897.

“The claim is now being processed by the university following its procedures for claims for the return of cultural objects.

“On 20 June 2022, the council of the University of Oxford considered and supported the claim for the return to Nigeria of the 97 objects.

“The university is now submitting the case to the Charity Commission, recommending transfer of legal title to the objects to the NCMM.

“It is expected that the Charity Commission will consider the claim by autumn 2022.

It added: “As one of several UK museums that hold significant materials taken from Benin in 1897, the Pitt Rivers has been involved in long-term research and engagement projects in partnership with Nigerian stakeholders and representatives from the royal court of the Benin kingdom.

“Since 2017, the museum has been a member of the Benin Dialogue Group and has played a leading role in discussions on the future care of the collections.”

Professor Nicholas Thomas, Director of MAA, said: “Across the international museum sector, there is growing recognition that illegitimately acquired artefacts should be returned to their countries of origin,” said

“The Smithsonian and major European museums have announced decisions to return collections to a number of countries.”

“Cambridge hosted the Benin Dialogue Group in 2017. Since then, we have visited Benin City, and joined collaborations of many kinds. These include work across provenance research, and towards exhibitions and artists’ residencies, that have exemplified the value of international academic and cultural engagement.’

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1 Comment

  1. | Chaka Artwell

    Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM need to get down on their hands and knees and thank Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford and Cambridge Universities for honouring and valuing Africa’s pre-European treasures.
    The pre-European treasures not taken by the Caucasian European have all been destroyed by African people on account of being “tribal” or “pagan.”
    The average African today has little respect for their pre-European history; artwork or religious beliefs. This is the stark truth.
    Returning the Benin Bronzes to a Nigerian-heritage people who have little respect their pre-European artwork; beliefs and bronzes is the foolish fruit of left-wing liberal Political Correctness.
    The Nigerian Nation receiving the Benin Bronzes does not honour; value or respect Nigerian’s pre-European culture, therefore given time, today’s Nigerian people will destroy the returned Benin Bronzes on account of the bronzes pagan heritage.
    African’s stolen Treasures should stay in England were they will be honoured; respected and on public display.

    Reply

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