'Britain is once again reckoning with its imperial history during a week in which two ceremonies were held to mark the return of ancient looted artifacts to Nigeria from the UK.' | Analysis by lukemcgee
On Wednesday, a college at the University of Cambridge staged a ceremony acknowledging the official return of a bronzeThe cockerel, donated to the university in 1905 by the father of a student, is a Benin Bronze,in modern Nigeria, during which British forces burnt down the royal palace among other buildings and stole priceless artifacts.
The issue is an uncomfortable one for the museum, which is also home to other world-famous stolen artifacts, including the Parthenon Marbles, a series of ancients sculptures looted from Athens. "This logic suggests that Nigeria is a poorer country that in incapable of properly looking after the artifacts that colonialists stole, despite the fact there is a state-of-the-art museum awaiting them in Nigeria. It's a classic racist argument that Britain is a place of refinement and knows best," said Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University.
No matter how much the British government would prefer these artifacts remain in the UK, critics say it's already on the wrong side of history. On the specific topic of the Benin Bronzes, a government spokesperson told CNN this week that museums operate"independently of the government with decisions relating to collections care and management, including whether to make loans of any objects, taken by the trustees of each institution," pointing out that the bronzes are a private collection rather than a part of the national collection.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here Are Some Of The Horror Movies That Deserve Oscars — And The Ones That Actually Got Them“It’s interesting what they decide is lowbrow.”
Read more »
‘No Time to Die’ Opens to $28 Million in China As COVID-19 Shutters More Than 10% of CinemasUnfortunately for “No Time to Die’s” China debut, government authorities have decided that it’s currently no time for citizens to risk dying of COVID-19 at the movies and are taking ext…
Read more »
Is Seneca Falls The Real-Life Bedford Falls From ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’?Fans want to know whether a charming New York town is the real-life inspiration for Bedford Falls in 'It's A Wonderful Life'.
Read more »
Strictly's Kai Widdrington Britain's Got Talent appearance: everything to knowKai wowed on Britain's Got Talent with his dance partner Natalia back in 2012, but where is his talented co-star now?
Read more »
Zendaya Reacts to Timothée Chalamet Teasing Her About Tom HollandShe can't stop herself from smiling.
Read more »
Halloween Food Deals To Get You Ready For October 31Plus 8 other can't-miss holiday deals.
Read more »