The fall of the Benin Kingdom in 1897 followed one of the most organized indigenous military defenses in West Africa. Central to this resistance were the Igun Eronmwon, the royal brass-casting and metalworking guilds of Benin. While the guild is popularly associated with the famous Benin Bronzes, their role extended far beyond artistic production: they…
The Benin Bronzes represent one of Africa’s greatest artistic achievements and one of the world’s most infamous cultural thefts. A collection comprising thousands of exquisite plaques, heads, and sculptures made of bronze, brass, and ivory which represents the pinnacle of court artistry in the pre-colonial Kingdom of Benin (located in modern-day Nigeria). Far…
In the quiet hills of Unwana, a small town in Ebonyi State, was born a man whose compassion would challenge an empire. His name was Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam; medical doctor, missionary, humanitarian, and nationalist. But to the Igbo, he was much more; a conscience in turbulent times, a man who proved that faith and…
The Anglo-Aro War (1901–1902) was a conflict between the British colonial forces and the Aro Confederacy in southeastern Nigeria. The war led to the fall of the Aro Confederacy and the expansion of British rule in the region. The British fought the war to break Aro dominance in trade and politics, while the Aro people…
In the summer of 1950, an important cultural visit took place between West Africa and British Guiana. This visit was made possible by Dr. Claude H. Denbow, President of the League of Colored Peoples in Georgetown, and Honorable John Carter, Secretary of the League. With support from other key figures in New York, they invited…