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The Benin Bronzes are a contentious issue because they form a significant appreciation in the general culture of the African culture both to the Nigerians and the African continent as a whole. According to Dan (37), another controversy results from who is dignified to retain ownership after they are deaccessioned to Nigeria, where they belong. Besides, the Edo Royal Family and the NCMM want the Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria because they symbolize their ancestral altar. They are crucial to them in performing significant rituals specifically to honor their ancestors and, at the same time, authenticate the new Oba in their societies. The leading museums that are considering returning the Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria are the Ethnological Museum of Berlin, the Smithsonian, and the British Museum in London. This decision is a result of continuous pressure from Nigerian museums.
Furthermore, the correct course of action to address this concern is for the associated nations and museums to return the Benin Bronzes to their original owners, including the Edo Royal Family and the NCMM. This will provide the owners with the satisfaction that their ancestral artifacts are in their original locations. Equally, the social responsibility of the governments and museums associated with this concern is to oversee and make sure that the Benin Bronzes are returned back to Nigeria. This is a pivotal responsibility to ensure no conflicts arise in the counterarguments about the issue. Lastly, as an individual, the issue of the Benin Bronzes could impact me in appreciating the African culture that took place more than two centuries ago and the inspiration to research additional artifacts that were unjustly taken from the Africans during the colonial era.
Work Cited
Dan, Hicks. The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution. (2020). Web.
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