In October 2021, the University of Aberdeen returned a Benin bronze to representatives of the Nigerian government and the Court of the Oba of Benin. Which made the university the first museum in the United Kingdom to agree to the full repatriation of a Benin bronze.
Benin bronzes come from Benin City in the Kingdom of Benin in West Africa, an area that today is located within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Benin City became part of the British Empire from 1897 to 1960.
Today, the modern city of Benin is the home of the current ruler of the Kingdom of Benin. Many of the rituals and ceremonies associated with the historic Kingdom of Benin continue to be performed today.
In addition to outlining the story of the Benin Bronze, from its casting to its return to Benin City, we will also discuss the university’s procedure and media impact, alongside the wider context of how museums are addressing the legacy of colonial violence.
For any inquiries about the seminar, please contact Dr. Anna Mossolova.