by Ruona Isikeh/Kevin Okunzuwa
An Anthropologist with the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Dr Efosa Abaivbugue, of the department of Sociology and Anthropology, has advised against exposing the recently returned Benin looted artifacts to direct sunlight to retain their original forms.
Abaivbugue said: “The artifacts can be preserved and kept in the museum away from direct sunlight. This is important especially as people would want to either see it or touch it.
“The direct touching of artwork leads to exposure to your fingerprints that can damage the natural oils of the body of the works. The artwork is not to be touched with the naked hands.
“The artifacts are meant to be framed in transparent glass in order to avoid people touching them,” he said.
Many of the looted art works from the Benin palace during the 1897 British invasion have been repatriated back to its original owner. On Feb.19, two out of the several such repatriated artifacts, were publicly presented at the palace of Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
The artifacts, a cockerel sculpture and Oba Uhunilao’s bronze burst, otherwise known as Oba head, were handed over to the Oba by Amb. Sarafa Ishola, Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Ishola assured the palace and Bini people that the returned artifacts were still in their original forms just like they were, before being taken away 125 years ago, and described the event as historic and a promise fulfilled.
Oba Ewuare 11 said the palace had made arrangement with the Federal Government on the preservation of the artifacts pending the completion of the Benin Royal Museum, adding that contrary to speculations that the artifacts would be confined and kept away from public view, “there will be no restriction at all”.
“The palace is already collaborating with federal government through its agency, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), to build the Benin Royal Museum to house returned artworks that will be opened to tourists, researchers among others.
“We are aware of the on-going discussions, which the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, is holding with various governments on our behalf.
“We are also aware that the major museums will miss having Benin bronzes in their collections.
“I believe that a working arrangement can be agreed, whereby our ownership of the artifacts having been established, those museums will continue to enjoy the presence of our artifacts.
Without a clear statement on whether or not traditional rituals were performed to welcome the returned artifacts, Oba Ewuare II, only said he had redeemed his pledge. He had pledged during his coronation to expedite the return of the artifacts to their original abode by signing the deed of transfer of the repossessed bronzes.
According the Oba, the Benin art and culture reflects the past and present glory as well as splendour of Benin kingdom, noting that many of these artifacts transcended mere art and were in very many cases objects of religious significance to the revered kingdom.
The return of the Benin treasures, according to him, will begin a new era of Benin history and civilisation as well as establish a relationship between youths in the state and the heritage bequeathed by their forefathers.
The Oba hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his interest in the handling of the items, Ishola, Prof. Tijjani and Prof. Wole Soyinka for their untiring efforts at getting the items returned.
To promote the preservation of the artifacts, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, has mulled the establishment of Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), in Benin to house the returned artifacts.
On the occasion of the unveiling of EMOWAA, Obaseki said there was no dispute between the state government and the Palace of the Oba of Benin, over the return of looted Benin artifacts.
The governor had noted, “What is our plan for culture? As a people, we have a lot of assets from our past and it’s our responsibility to recreate them. So, it is beyond just several pieces of artwork; no, it’s beyond that. It is about using that as the contact point to bring out the best of who we are.
“There is a whole lot of research that still needs to be done. We can’t have things about us being explained to us from Europe. Nobody is going to do it for us.
“That is why we must insist that when these works come, we host them here in Edo State, their home, so that it’s available for everybody to see. There is no quarrel with the palace.
“It is not just about us but the people of the state. So, let’s facilitate it so everybody can access and benefit from it.
“I don’t see why we cannot achieve this. So, each and every one of you here, from your Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), have the responsibility to make sure we get the first phase of the EMOWAA done and then let those coming after us build on what we have started.”
On repositioning the culture sector to become a source of revenue for the state, Obaseki stated, “If we have a million people coming into the state or into Benin City for culture and tourism every year, and each one spends $1000, can you imagine the amount of money that will come into the state? Not from crude oil or the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), but from culture and tourism.
“I think it’s another way to look at our development trajectory and please, I am encouraging all to provide whatever support you can to the team.
“Let’s do it because we must start this work this year and by the time we are leaving office, we should have the first phase completed.”
Speaking on the impact of the looted artifacts on the state, the governor said that the invasion of 1897 shocked its system and it’s taking the state almost 100 years to recover.
He added: “The invasion of 1897 shocked our system and it’s taking us almost 100 years to recover from that shock.
“Just imagine a civilization that was intact for more than seven centuries and suddenly it got shocked and the people have been in transition for better parts of the century.
“That is what we found when we came into the government. So, as a democratically elected government, we owe our people and posterity that responsibility, to first explain who we are and what we have to the rest of the world.
“If the Egyptians are using what they have to represent the arts of Northern Africa, then we should, as a people, have something to represent the arts of West Africa.
” It is important to help you understand why we are doing what we are doing and why this project is very significant.”
And as a follow up, Obaseki on Nov.13, launched Digital Benin website which he said was a platform with the largest digital collections of Benin artifacts.
He said with the platform people could see 5,246 pieces of artworks from Benin and other parts of the state, adding that the Digital Benin was now the largest museum in the world for Benin collections.
He said “We suggested having a catalogue of all Benin artworks scattered around the world a while back.
“Today, I am so glad and fulfilled that five years on, we now have the digital records of 5,246 pieces of Benin and Edo artworks in 131 locations across the globe. This is a feat to be proud of.
“Digital Benin is now the largest Museum in the world for Benin collections. It’s a virtual Museum which will tell you anything you need to know about Benin history and future.
“Go to the website and every piece of Benin artwork located anywhere in the world can be seen. You can see the artworks, the meaning and the locations.
“This is a significant milestone we have achieved. This project is very significant to the people of the kingdom.
“We thank Prof. Gregory Akenzua and members of the Benin Dialogue Group who, over the last two decades, have kept on the pressure and the dialogue on how to return the artworks taken away after the invasion of 1897.
“I met the Benin Dialogue Group having this debate and discussion for the last 18 years and later joined them to ensure we achieve the aims of the group.
“We joined the group in 2017, and in 2018, we went outside the country to join the conversation and address the issues confronting the return of the art work,” he said. (NAN)
