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My lecture will look at British imperialism and African resistance in West Africa in the late 19th century, at how the meaning of objects changes over time, and the current restitution debate in Western museums.
What will we cover?
To understand why the Benin Bronzes have become so important in debates about the legacy of the British Empire, and about the future of museums, we will explore several key issues. First, we will look at the rise of the Edo (Benin) Kingdom and its relationship with Europe from the 15th to the 19th century. Next, we will examine the causes of the British invasion of 1897. We will then consider the looting of the Benin Bronzes and how people in London responded to their arrival.
This session will also trace how the objects were dispersed across Western museums during the 20th century. It will explore Edo calls for their return and recent changes in the restitution debate in Britain and elsewhere. It will also look at the return of many Benin Bronzes over the past five years. Finally, it will examine the complex and often tense politics surrounding these returns in both Britain and Nigeria today.
This analysis is based on original archival sources, as well as extensive interviews conducted in Nigeria and Britain.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
You will develop an understanding of the history of the Benin Kingdom and British imperialism in West Africa. You will learn how British forces looted cultural objects in the 19th century. You will also explore how attitudes in Western countries towards African cultural objects have changed over time. Finally, you will consider the challenges and opportunities involved in returning the Benin Bronzes, especially in relation to politics in both Nigeria and Britain.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This session and the dramatic, complex and stimulating story it tells is suitable for absolute beginners to the subject. A warm welcome is extended to all.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Illustrated lecture, no work outside class but recommended further reading for those who want it.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Barnaby Phillips was born in London, brought up in Kenya and Switzerland, and worked for 27 years for the BBC and Al Jazeera English, mostly in Africa. He was based in Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria, South Africa and Greece. His first book, ‘Another Man’s War’ (Oneworld 2014) told the story of the African soldiers who fought in Burma in the Second World War. His next book, ‘Loot, Britain and the Benin Bronzes’, (Oneworld 2021) looked at colonial loot, museums and restitutions, and was a Prospect and Art Newspaper Book of the Year. He examines these themes again in his new book, ’The African Kingdom of Gold- Britain and the Asante Treasure,’ published in March 2026.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/britain-and-the-benin-bronzes3066616Britain and the Benin Bronzeshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/e/benin_bronze.jpg2929GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history22851177117819761228511771178<p>How Britain looted the Benin Bronzes in 1897, what happened to them next, and how are museums responding to calls for their return. </p>003066610Britain and the Benin Bronzes2929https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/e/benin_bronze_1.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH3192929Britain and the Benin Bronzes231929Barnaby Phillipsbritain-and-the-benin-bronzes/hwh319-2627<p>How Britain looted the Benin Bronzes in 1897, what happened to them next, and how are museums responding to calls for their return. </p>0000-Available|2026-11-27 00:00:00<p>My lecture will look at British imperialism and African resistance in West Africa in the late 19th century, at how the meaning of objects changes over time, and the current restitution debate in Western museums. </p><p>How Britain looted the Benin Bronzes in 1897, what happened to them next, and how are museums responding to calls for their return. </p><p>To understand why the Benin Bronzes have become so important in debates about the legacy of the British Empire, and about the future of museums, we will explore several key issues. First, we will look at the rise of the Edo (Benin) Kingdom and its relationship with Europe from the 15th to the 19th century. Next, we will examine the causes of the British invasion of 1897. We will then consider the looting of the Benin Bronzes and how people in London responded to their arrival.</p><p>This session will also trace how the objects were dispersed across Western museums during the 20th century. It will explore Edo calls for their return and recent changes in the restitution debate in Britain and elsewhere. It will also look at the return of many Benin Bronzes over the past five years. Finally, it will examine the complex and often tense politics surrounding these returns in both Britain and Nigeria today.</p><p>This analysis is based on original archival sources, as well as extensive interviews conducted in Nigeria and Britain.</p><p>You will develop an understanding of the history of the Benin Kingdom and British imperialism in West Africa. You will learn how British forces looted cultural objects in the 19th century. You will also explore how attitudes in Western countries towards African cultural objects have changed over time. Finally, you will consider the challenges and opportunities involved in returning the Benin Bronzes, especially in relation to politics in both Nigeria and Britain.</p><p>This session and the dramatic, complex and stimulating story it tells is suitable for absolute beginners to the subject. A warm welcome is extended to all. </p><p>Illustrated lecture, no work outside class but recommended further reading for those who want it. </p><p>There are no other additional course costs.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/africa-at-the-museum-the-benin-empire-at-the-british-museum/hwh235-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Africa at the Museum: The Benin Empire at the British Museum</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/african-history-the-rise-and-fall-of-empires-c-700-to-c-1700/hwh234-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">African History: The Rise and Fall of Empires, c.700 to c.1700</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/anthropology-of-art-ethnographic-museums/ha038-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anthropology of art: Ethnographic Museums</a></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Browse all our upcoming African history courses here. </a></p>HistoryAfrican historyvirtual232919HWH319NONEFri27/11/2612:45 - 14:4512:4514:451 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetBarnaby PhillipsBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-27T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanities2929Britain and the Benin Bronzesbritain-and-the-benin-bronzes/hwh319-2627<p>How Britain looted the Benin Bronzes in 1897, what happened to them next, and how are museums responding to calls for their return. </p>0000-Available|2026-11-27 00:00:00<p>My lecture will look at British imperialism and African resistance in West Africa in the late 19th century, at how the meaning of objects changes over time, and the current restitution debate in Western museums. </p><p>How Britain looted the Benin Bronzes in 1897, what happened to them next, and how are museums responding to calls for their return. </p><p>To understand why the Benin Bronzes have become so important in debates about the legacy of the British Empire, and about the future of museums, we will explore several key issues. First, we will look at the rise of the Edo (Benin) Kingdom and its relationship with Europe from the 15th to the 19th century. Next, we will examine the causes of the British invasion of 1897. We will then consider the looting of the Benin Bronzes and how people in London responded to their arrival.</p><p>This session will also trace how the objects were dispersed across Western museums during the 20th century. It will explore Edo calls for their return and recent changes in the restitution debate in Britain and elsewhere. It will also look at the return of many Benin Bronzes over the past five years. Finally, it will examine the complex and often tense politics surrounding these returns in both Britain and Nigeria today.</p><p>This analysis is based on original archival sources, as well as extensive interviews conducted in Nigeria and Britain.</p><p>You will develop an understanding of the history of the Benin Kingdom and British imperialism in West Africa. You will learn how British forces looted cultural objects in the 19th century. You will also explore how attitudes in Western countries towards African cultural objects have changed over time. Finally, you will consider the challenges and opportunities involved in returning the Benin Bronzes, especially in relation to politics in both Nigeria and Britain.</p><p>This session and the dramatic, complex and stimulating story it tells is suitable for absolute beginners to the subject. A warm welcome is extended to all. </p><p>Illustrated lecture, no work outside class but recommended further reading for those who want it. </p><p>There are no other additional course costs.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/africa-at-the-museum-the-benin-empire-at-the-british-museum/hwh235-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Africa at the Museum: The Benin Empire at the British Museum</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/african-history-the-rise-and-fall-of-empires-c-700-to-c-1700/hwh234-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">African History: The Rise and Fall of Empires, c.700 to c.1700</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/anthropology-of-art-ethnographic-museums/ha038-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anthropology of art: Ethnographic Museums</a></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Browse all our upcoming African history courses here. </a></p>HistoryAfrican historyconfigurable
19761178African historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history1/2/285/1177/1178/19761/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history
