Benin Empire: The West African Kingdom Europe Tried to Erase from History

Before 1897, the Kingdom of Benin had produced centuries of some of the most sophisticated bronze and ivory art in the world — a royal monopoly, an organized court, and a documented history cast directly into metal. Then a British punitive expedition burned the palace, looted thousands of objects, and exiled the king. For decades, Western museums didn't even call the results "art." This is the real story of the Benin Bronzes — and why the fight to bring them home is still happening right now. #history #africanhistory #beninbronzes #westafrica #nigeria #colonialhistory #historytok #thelongmemory