Grandson returns ‘loot’ to Nigeria
Print Edition
TWO statues from among thousands of works of art looted by British soldiers in the 19th century have been returned to Nigeria, prompting calls for other treasures to be repatriated.
For more than a century, the artefacts from the “Benin Bronzes” collection had been in the family of retired medical consultant Mark Walker, whose grandfather was involved in an 1897 British raid in which they were taken.
But on Friday, the statues — depicting a fabled ibis bird and the traditional monarch’s bell — were given back to the Oba (King) of Benin, Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I, at a ceremony attended by royal officials and local dignitaries.
Walker said he decided to return the statues to Nigeria in September last year after learning of their history, in part from his grandfather’s diary, which described the treasures as “loot.”
“That gave me the idea that perhaps they should go to the place where they will be appreciated for ever,” he told reporters in Benin City, 240 kilometers east of Lagos.
The tale of the precious artefacts is one of intrigue and tragedy. It began when nine British officers were killed while on a trade mission to Erediauwa’s grandfather, ruler of the then independent kingdom of Benin.
Walker’s grandfather was part of a British military deployment to avenge the deaths of the officers. The overwhelming show of strength left several thousand local people dead and the city set ablaze, while the oba was forced into exile.
The royal palace was looted, resulting in the removal of hundreds of artworks, including the Benin Bronzes.
Most of the bronzes — in fact melted down and refashioned brass from bracelets and other objects offered by Portuguese traders in the 15th century — have been at the British Museum in London ever since.
Nigeria has previously requested their return but without success.
The oba’s brother, the Enogie of Obazuwa, Prince Edun Akenzua, described Walker’s actions as a “friendly gesture” that would “contribute positively to healing the bruise etched on the psyche of Benin people since 1897.”
He also called for the return of the other items in the British Museum and galleries around the world.
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