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An artifact according to the oxford dictionary is an object made by the human hand such as tools, weapon or ornament of archaeological or historical interest. It tells a unique story of where we are from, our way of life and it is a documented proof of our identity as a people and Africa is a continent of stolen artifacts by soldiers who invaded some centuries ago. Some of these looted artifacts including the bronze head of Queen Idia, the Bangwa Queen artifact of Cameroon, the iconic Zimbabwe bird, Rosetta stone of Egypt etc are on display in British, American and French museum for all to see instead of being returned to its rightful owners. The artifact of focus here is the famous bronze head of Queen Idia of Benin kingdom and some other artifacts looted during the colonization of my people by the British Empire.
Oba Ovonramwen was the king of Benin kingdom during the invasion by the British in 1892. His palace was looted of all the beautiful bronze artifact and he was exiled from his kingdom and birth place by the then British invaders.
OBA OVONRAMWEN
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Queen Idia was a woman of power in the then Benin kingdom, the first queen mother (Iyoba) and the mother to Oba (king) Esigie . She was instrumental in the battle for the throne between her son Esigie and Arhuaran who was also the son of the late king Ozolua. Esigie defeated his brother and conquered neighboring villages with the help of his mother both as an adviser and her being physically present in battle front as a warrior. She was a great warrior with mystical power, medicinal knowledge and she was credited for all her son’s victories and greatness. Indeed behind every great man there is a great woman. The bronze head made to immortalize the iconic queen now seats in a British museum alongside some Benin and African artifacts looted by soldiers centuries ago. They did not only loot the then magnificent Benin kingdom but also set ablaze what was left.
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Two of the Benin artifacts that were stolen in possession of Dr. Mark Walker which he inherited as part of his family’s collections were returned to Benin kingdom. Dr. mark walker is the grandson of Philip walker, the man who lead the invasion of the Benin Empire. How I wish everyone holding a piece of our history as Africans will freely return them to their rightful owners but I don't think they will because some of these African artifacts have become one of the world’s priceless artifact and it is a huge source of revenue for those countries in possession of it in the area of tourism.
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