THE EXPEDITION OF THE GREAT BENIN EMPIRE & THE STRUGGLE FOR REPATRIATION

The Ancient Kingdom of Benin, often called the Great Benin Empire, used to be one of Africa’s most powerful and influential empires in pre-colonial West Africa. It has no historical relation to the modern Benin Republic, known as Dahomey from the 17th century until 1975.

Located in today’s southern Nigeria, the Great Empire of Benin rose to prominence in the 12th century and maintained its sovereignty and cultural significance for over 600 years, making it one of the longest-lasting empires on the continent of Africa. Despite its remarkable achievements, the Benin empire is often overlooked by other African empires. It had one of the best formidable and well-organized Warriors, divided into various units, including Infantry, Cavalry, and Archers.

The history, culture, and significance of the kingdom, including the devastating impact of the British punitive expedition of 1897, that led to the destruction of the kingdom’s capital, Benin City, and its royal palace, a cultural marvel that challenged the Eurocentric views of African civilization. The people of the Great Empire depicted important historical events, showcasing crafts, royal ceremonies, and deities, all serving both as Arts and historical records.

Aside from the amazing artefacts, well well-crafted Figurines, and the popular Benin-Bronze of the GREAT BENIN EMPIRE  which were all carted away by the British, the destruction of the Great Wall of the Benin Empire is one of the historical moments that should never be forgotten. The Wall which was recorded to have been the longest Earth Walk Wall, stretching over 16000km, and one of the tallest structures ever built by Man before the Mechanical age was destroyed by the British in a bid to defeat and enslave the people of Benin. The empire was surrounded by a massive wall, a defensive structure and a symbol of the power and civilization to the empire.

Back in the 15th and 16th centuries, European travellers, the British and Portuguese who visited the city, also known as Edo, marvelled at its size and organization. In 1897 during the British invasion of the Empire, many of these Bronzes, Figurines, and Artifacts were looted and were kept in Museums across Europe and the United States Of America. However, recently, some of these have been returned to Nigeria.

The empire established relations with several European countries like the Portuguese, English, and Netherlands.

Women also played important roles in both the political and religious.

The Great Benin Empire came to a tragic end in 1897 when British forces invaded the Empire in what is now known as the Benin Expedition. The King(Oba) was exiled and the empire was formally annexed, marking the end of the empire’s sovereignty. Today, the looted Benin Bronze as become the symbols of colonial injustice and the ongoing struggle for repatriation.

Repatriation or not, what is obvious is we may never experience the Great Benin Empire again. A single acts carried out by the Colonialist has caused a Kingdom its sovereignty and the lost of its people, that can never be returned.

WRITTEN BY: OMOTADE ISAAC ADEKUNLE