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basic_meo · (#12 (**permalink**))

Mafdet wrote:

Quote:

@Basic

I am having trouble viewing your web links but it may be helpful to display the letter that was sent to these damn people that refuse to return the stolen art so that anyone who wishes to write can use the letter as a sample basis on how to construct theirs, because simply stating give back our art you phucking thieves just won't cut it LOL.

Seriously though I haven't checked myself but this should be on the main page of bn if it not already because its very important anyway i will be wrting my letter shortly.

Hi Sister Mafdef,

I have just posted example of letter written by Emmanuel N Arinze, this may help in the construction of any letter.

This issue have been going for very long time I just post this here for the BN to see and would have been very nice to see the BN moderators to take a bit step forward and make BNVB to be aware of it

Thank you very much for taken this step forward they are quite wounderful work of art by the Benin people and they have a very significant to our culture as well to the BLACK people as a whole this is history.

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WAMP West African Museums Programme
Programme des Musées de l'Afrique de l'Ouset
B.P. 357. Dakar. Sénégal. Tel: (221) 22 50 57 Fax: (221) 22 12 33

P.O. Box 71041
Victoria Island
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: 01-2622917, 09-2341722, 09-5234757
Fax: 01-2694642, 09-2341722

Dear Mr. Spalding

Return Of Benin Objects to The Oba Of Benin

I have Just heard of the effort being made by Mr. Bernie Grant, MP to convince your Museum to return some Benin artefacts to the Oba of Benin as a gesture of historic reconciliation and posative response to the age long yearnings and aspirations of an aggrieved People. This gesture would not have come at a more appropriate time in the history of Benin and indeed Nigeria, as we prepare to celebrate the centenary of the great BeninExpedition of 1897

The return of any single Benin artefact is of great significance as the object returns to the altar of our ancestors where they relilously, culturally and historically belong, Each object on the ancestral altar has a meaning and performs a function that ss paramount and necessary to the life of the Edo. In a different context, environment and situation, the same object becomes sterile. empty and just a work of art.

having worked in Museums forcIose to twenty-five years, I do understand and appreciate that humanity should have access to the creative works of different peoples and different cultures. However this universal Idea should not deprive people thelr natural right to held and to keep that which they have made and which is partof theIr very existence and humanity.

The sacred and unique religious cermonies that are performed in the Palace of the Obe of Benin and which affect the life of every Edo citizen draw a huge crowd to the Palace grounds and it is significant that these ceremonies centre around the artefacts one finds on the ancestral altars.

In this regard, and in my capacity as the Chairman of the West African Museums Programme and President of the Commonwealth Associatlon of Museums, I join my voice with those of emininent citizens like Rt, Hon. Bernie Grant, MP in appealing to you, your Museum and your Council to be gracious enough and agree to return the Benin artefacts in your Museum collection to the Oba of Benin who today is the personification of the Edo nation in all its ramifications.

This singular act of your Museum will encourage many others in our great profession to take the path of honour and join in the historic quest for restitution.

I wish you well

Best wishes

Emmanul N, Arinze

Chairman
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