Nigeria Receives Two Repatriated Benin Bronzes From US Museum
Nigeria Receives Two Repatriated Benin Bronzes From US Museum
The return of the artifacts, looted during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom, is a historic for Nigeria and the Benin Kingdom, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa said.
She confirmed that the ministry was negotiating with other institutions holding artifacts, assuring that the full repatriation process would soon begin.
The symbolic handover was witnessed by three high chiefs representing the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare. According to the media, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) completed the official return ceremony in New York in June.
MFA Director Matthew Teitelbaum expressed his pleasure in delivering the works to Prince Aghatise Erediuwa for the Oba, noting it was gratifying to see the objects returned to their rightful owner after 12 years of custodianship.
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