We appreciate the article. We are referenced but were not interviewed. It is so full of fiction from chiefs and royals, it inspired a series of responses. Here is Response #1:
The Oba Ewaure II Traditional Council reported in their 2018 book, “The Benin Monarchy” that they made the bronzes with slave trade manillas p205, and that they stopped selling men and only sold women for 150 years, p194. Then they resumed selling both. The pages are below.
My Edo brothers — the chief, royals and historian cited — must remember the African proverb: “United we are rock, divided we are sand.” Stop behaving like slave trade deniers and share these relics. Don’t allow the colonizers and their museums to downplay the significance of the transatlantic slave trade just so you can keep all the fruit of your ancestors’ crime against humanity.
The Edo have had centuries to enjoy the fruit of enslaving our ancestors. Until recently, the slave trade origin of the relics has been hidden to build sympathy for the return of the relics to the Benin kingdom slave trader heirs.
The truth is public because their Oba published a book, “The Benin Monarchy” in which Edo and other scholars tell the truth. The book is expensive ($200), and large (572 pages), but we bought it and read it.
Our campaign asks: How many men, women and children were stolen and sold to make each bronze? How many manillas were exchanged for their lives, melted then forged into these relics? Give us a number. The truth is, no amount is too small to require justice.
Now the cycle of unjust enrichment must end. It’s time to come together and heal. Let’s close this chapter of history and move forward in peace and unity as co-owners managing our shared cultural heritage — the Benin bronzes.
Restitution Study Group 