INVASION 1897(THE FALL OF THE GREAT BENIN EMPIRE)

Benin was a great and thriving empire known For it's order, artistry, deep cultural pride, advanced System of governance and its breathtaking bronze works that told stories of its people, kings, and traditions before the drastic turn of events in 1987.

"THE INVASION 1897 (also known as the Benin expedition)", one of the most significant and tragic colonial encounters in Nigerian history.

The conflict began after a British delegation led by James Phillips attempted to enter Benin against the advice of the kingdom’s rulers. The delegation was attacked and many members were killed. In response, Britain launched a “punitive expedition” to retaliate.In February 1897, British forces invaded Benin City. The attack was devastating. The city was burned, thousands of people were killed, and the Oba (king), Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, was eventually captured and exiled.

One of the most lasting consequences was the looting of the famous Benin Bronzes. Thousands of these artworks, which held deep cultural and spiritual significance, were taken to Europe and housed by museums abroad notably, London, Berlin and New York an action which is still at the center of global conversations about restitution and the return of African heritage.

The invasion marked the fall of the Benin Kingdom as an independent power and its incorporation into British colonial rule. It remains a painful symbol of cultural destruction, colonial violence, and the ongoing struggle for historical justice in Nigeria.So, Incase you're wondering what the global discourse of the rightful/legal owners of the Benin Bronze art is all about, this was where it started!