The Benin and their right to compenstion for th etheft of their triabal art.

The Benin’s Right to Compensation

The Benin dynasty is a civilization rumored and believed to have been established in 800 AD with a single family succession monarchial ruling system that lasted for a little more than a millennium before its true and epic downfall in 1897. Its organized social system backed by its single person ruling system which faced no major resentment from the people was the envy of many other various societies. Their defense system of building large walls—not just one but two or even three around their cities, especially Benin—helped stop infiltration and made it hard for outsiders to enter without permission. The wall system allowed for revenues collected through taxing provided for the people.

Yet all of these lands, these creations, were not “theirs”. The land was not something to be possessed. It all belonged to the “dead, the ancestors, and the cities themselves were an integral part of the life process” (Lessons in Africana Studies, pg. 154). The pureness of the people and their love for their land led to the creation of guilds which showcased their culture through brass, iron, wood, cloth, leather, and pottery. These items became the treasure that had many Europeans envious and greedy to be the owners. After all a prized possession has more appeal than something lying around not drawing attention.

With the structure and the system of Benin perfect, what could possibly lead to its downfall in 1897? It was their master craft, their originality; their skills in creating beautiful art, pieces that depicted their lifestyle, things that exemplified their history and the greed of those who saw but could not touch. It is a fact that the British saw the art and wanted it. The downfall wasn’t simple; it began when foreigners first tread across the soil of the Benin.

The Benin began slave trading with the Europeans and the Portuguese, allowing the dynasty to become rich. A ...

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The Benin began slave trading with the Europeans and the Portuguese, allowing the dynasty to become rich. A couple of centuries after, Benin fell into British hands, as a protectorate under the British Consul. This lasted for about 40 years after which the Punitive Expedition took place and the British infiltrated the Benin Empire and ravaged the dynasty without mercy, destroying a majority of their treasured art. The art that wasn’t destroyed was taken by the British and many other Europeans, and is still, to this day, displayed around the world.

Yet these displays don’t have the Benin’s permission. They want their art back. Forget compensation, they just want their culture, their ancestors hard work to be treasured in a way only they, the native people, original and rightful owners of the art, can do.

The argument is as follows: The Benin was an esteemed empire: fact. They revered their land which was a gift, not a possession: fact. Their culture was developed over 1,000 years: fact. They placed great importance in their artwork which portrayed their culture and their ancestors: fact. The Benin Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon gave a bronze head figure to the Queen of Britain: fact or not a fact? Yet that was thirty years ago: fact. So what about in 1897, more than 100 years ago, when the British actually did steal Benin art pieces? The bronze head piece may not have been stolen, that is an unsure fact, yet the reports of many around the world give voice to the fact that during the Punitive Expedition made by the British in 1897, the British DID steal art pieces that DID belong to the Benin and DID display them around the world in European museums WITHOUT the Benin permission: unarguable fact.

Should the Benin be compensated? No. Why? It is because compensation is not enough. The artwork should be returned to the rightful owners. Money is not the issue here, nor is its value anywhere near enough to compensate for the stolen pieces. To world viewers the Benin art pieces may look worthless or could even be bought at a hefty price. Yet to the Benin, those art pieces are the embodiment of their lifestyle, their ancestors, their history, and ultimately, their culture. To them, those stolen art pieces are priceless. No amount of money could reimburse the grief of having everything they believed in being stolen from them. The British should return the art pieces, not with their heads held high, but with a modest bow, asking for forgiveness. This is an undisputable fact.

Works Cited

"AllAfrica.com: Nigeria: Between the Country's Artefacts And Western Iconoclasts." AllAfrica.com: Home. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. <http://allafrica.com/stories/201101050279.html>.

"Museum to Lure Back African Art - Archive - Al Jazeera English." AJE - Al Jazeera English. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. <http://english.aljazeera.net/archive/2006/02/200849133313116460.html>.

"Return of Benin Stolen Artifacts: Edo Seeks UN Intervention." Vanguard News. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. <http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/return-of-benin-stolen-artifacts-edo-seeks-un-intervention/>.

Toussaint, K. C. "The Benin Empire." Lessons in Africana Studies. Philadelphia, PA: Songhai, 2006. Print.