Why arguments have broken out about the Benin Bronzes
I can explain why the Benin Bronzes have caused arguments in the present day.
Why arguments have broken out about the Benin Bronzes
I can explain why the Benin Bronzes have caused arguments in the present day.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Whether or not the British Museum should return its Benin Bronzes has caused lots of arguments.
- Nigeria argues that they should be returned because they were originally taken from Benin City without permission.
- Some museums have returned looted Edo artwork to Nigeria, but British law prevents the British Museum from doing so.
- In the USA, descendants of West African enslaved people are trying to stop the return of Edo artwork to Nigeria.
- This is because some of the art was made using metals that were traded by Europeans for enslaved people.
Keywords
Descendants - descendants are people who come after someone else in a family
Ancestors - ancestors are the people who came before you in your family; they are a family's older generations
Common misconception
The Benin Bronzes were created for trade with Europeans.
The Benin Bronzes were created to serve as significant cultural and religious artefacts within the Benin Kingdom and made from the manilla used as payment for goods.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the ruler of the Edo people
bronze and brass artefacts made by the Edo people
a country in West Africa
Exit quiz
6 Questions
someone who looks after artefacts in a museum
the people who come after someone else in a family
the people who came before you in your family