we prefer to refer directly to the literature prepared by the kingdom of benin. we have this amazing book, the benin monarchy, produced by the current 0ba of the kingdom of benin. and it actually spells out specifically that they use these manilas and why they needed to get the manilas at a certain point. 50 manilas but a female, 57 bought a male. currently they have 57 active appeals in place with a further 50 in the works to institutions around the world to keep hold of their bronzes. although they don't have to be concerned about this place. the british museum currently holds the largest collection of bronzes in the world, with no plans to return any. in a statement sent to the travel show, they say that the collections offer an important opportunity for audiences to understand the history of the british conquest of benin city and to reflect on the impact of that period of colonialism. undoubtedly these points of view don't sit too well back in nigeria. the whole world knows they are stolen properties. there is no place like home. by the time this object comes

of those altars was very much to maintain the lineage, to maintain the kingdom. the plaques that had been removed from the walls throughout the city were visualisations of the benin and heritage. and those were all taken away in a wholesale export of this material leaving very, very little behind. tell me, why are you now and only now, returning some of the pieces? i think it's the right time for these collections to go back. one might say it's long overdue. i think the main reason, the most recent reason is that there has been a request from the nigerian government and we want the future retelling and care of these collections to be something that's really, really collaborative. however, history can be complicated. and there is one group led by the descendants of those who were enslaved, calling for the bronzes to remain where they are. well, the kingdom actually engaged in selling enslaved people. the 16th and 19th—century bronzes were made with a manila. this was a currency for the transatlantic slave trade. they actually melted these manilas down... ..and cast them into the bronzes, 0k. so these bronzes are actually legacy wealth or cultural property, not onl

of benin was taken, the kingdom of benin was one of the mosth the bronzes were actually in which the bronzes were taken, actually led to the abolition of the slave trade in benin . and the slave trade in benin. and that was a response to the massacre of unarmed brits and african porters . the right of african porters. the right of the king of benin to these artefacts is also dispute owed, including by a group of african american descendants of slaves who filed a lawsuit to stop the smithsonian museum from returning bronzes to nigeria . returning bronzes to nigeria. and what about that literal jewel in the crown ? the corner jewel in the crown? the corner diamond? it was legally gifted to queen victoria by the child maharaja of punjab , though maharaja of punjab, though admittedly, he had little choice in the matter. but does admittedly, he had little choice in the matter . but does the in the matter. but does the modern state of india have a right to it after it was extracted by slave labour under a hindu dynasty, it entered the hands of their

of benin was taken, the kingdom of benin was one of the mostbronzes were actually in which the bronzes were taken, actually led to the abolition of the slave trade in benin . and the slave trade in benin. and that was a response to the massacre of unarmed brits and african porters . the right of african porters. the right of the king of benin to these artefacts is also dispute owed, including by a group of african american descendants of slaves who filed a lawsuit to stop the smithsonian museum from returning bronzes to nigeria . returning bronzes to nigeria. and what about that literal jewel in the crown ? the corner jewel in the crown? the corner diamond? it was legally gifted to queen victoria by the child maharaja of punjab , though maharaja of punjab, though admittedly, he had little choice in the matter. but does admittedly, he had little choice in the matter . but does the in the matter. but does the modern state of india have a right to it after it was extracted by slave labour under a hindu dynasty, it entered the hands of their muslim

of those altars was very much to maintain the lineage, to maintain the kingdom. the plaques that had been removed from the walls throughout the city were visualisations of the beninerdue. i think the main reason, the most recent reason is that there has been a request from the nigerian government and we want the future retelling and care of these collections to be something that's really, really collaborative. however, history can be complicated. and there is one group led by the descendants of those who were enslaved, calling for the bronzes to remain where they are. well, the kingdom actually engaged in selling enslaved people. the 16th and 19th—century bronzes were made with a manila. this was a currency for the transatlantic slave trade. they actually melted these manilas down... ..and cast them into the bronzes, 0k. so these bronzes are actually legacy wealth or cultural property, not only of the people of the kingdom of benin, but of all of the people that they played a role in enslaving in the transatlantic slave trade. and i am one of those dna descendants, and all of us are standing together and demanding that these bronzes stay where they are so we can