BENIN BRONZES

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HR0885 - 104th General Assembly

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HR0885
LRB104 20990 MST 34861 r
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The Benin Bronzes are a collection of intricately
3
crafted plaques, sculptures, ceremonial heads, and other
4
artifacts created by Edo artists of the Kingdom of Benin,
5
located in present-day Edo State, Nigeria, primarily between
6
the 13th and 19th centuries, representing one of Africa's most
7
sophisticated and enduring artistic traditions; and

8

WHEREAS, These works embody the political authority,
9
religious symbolism, and social organization of the Benin
10
Kingdom, serving as historical records, memorials to royal
11
ancestors, and expressions of the cultural and spiritual life
12
of the Edo people; and

13

WHEREAS, The materials and wealth used in the production
14
of the Benin Bronzes were, in part, obtained through extensive
15
regional and international trade networks, including
16
transatlantic exchanges that were deeply intertwined with
17
European commercial expansion and the transatlantic slave
18
trade; and

19

WHEREAS, This history reflects the complex and often
20
painful legacies of African and European interaction,
21
including the participation of multiple actors in systems of
22
trade, coercion, and colonization that caused profound human

HR0885
- 2 -
LRB104 20990 MST 34861 r
1
suffering and long-lasting harm; and

2

WHEREAS, In 1897, during the British Punitive Expedition
3
against the Kingdom of Benin, the royal palace was destroyed
4
and thousands of culturally and spiritually significant
5
objects, now collectively known as the Benin Bronzes, were
6
removed and subsequently dispersed throughout museums and
7
private collections around the world; and

8

WHEREAS, Today, the Benin Bronzes are held across Europe,
9
North America, and elsewhere, with approximately one quarter
10
of the known works located in the United States, including
11
significant collections at the Field Museum in Chicago and
12
other Illinois cultural institutions; and

13

WHEREAS, The global dispersal of the Benin Bronzes has
14
become emblematic of broader histories of colonial extraction
15
and cultural loss, prompting renewed international dialogue
16
around ethical stewardship, historical accountability, and
17
public education; and

18

WHEREAS, The Edo people and the Federal Republic of
19
Nigeria have long advocated for the return and appropriate
20
care of the Benin Bronzes, emphasizing their importance to
21
cultural identity, historical continuity, and
22
intergenerational learning; and

HR0885
- 3 -
LRB104 20990 MST 34861 r
1

WHEREAS, Descendants of people impacted by the
2
transatlantic slave trade have also sought fuller
3
acknowledgment of the historical contexts surrounding the
4
creation, exchange, and movement of these works, underscoring
5
the need for inclusive and truthful interpretation; and

6

WHEREAS, Museums, universities, and cultural institutions
7
around the world are increasingly engaging in collaborative
8
approaches to conservation, interpretation, and public
9
programming that reflect evolving best practices in cultural
10
ethics and historical scholarship; therefore, be it

11

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
12
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13
we recognize the extraordinary artistic, cultural, and
14
historical significance of the Benin Bronzes, including their
15
craftsmanship, symbolism, and enduring global importance, and
16
that we further recognize the historical injustice associated
17
with the original creation of the Benin Bronzes and the
18
subsequent British acquisition and distribution of the relics;
19
and be it further

20

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the interconnected histories
21
of the Benin Bronzes, the transatlantic slave trade, and
22
colonial violence and affirm the importance of presenting

HR0885
- 4 -
LRB104 20990 MST 34861 r
1
these histories accurately, responsibly, and with cultural
2
sensitivity; and be it further

3

RESOLVED, That we encourage museums and cultural
4
institutions to continue engaging with source communities,
5
scholars, and the public to promote ethical stewardship,
6
shared understanding, and educational access to this heritage;
7
and be it further

8

RESOLVED, That we support efforts to use the Benin Bronzes
9
as instruments for learning, dialogue, and cultural healing,
10
fostering greater awareness of Africa's rich artistic
11
traditions and the historical forces that shaped their global
12
journey; and be it further

13

RESOLVED, That we commit to using the platform of the
14
Illinois General Assembly to promote public education,
15
historical literacy, and constructive international cultural
16
engagement grounded in respect, collaboration, and truth.

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