HR0885 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0885 LRB104 20990 MST 34861 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

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

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

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

WHEREAS, This history reflects the complex and often painful legacies of African and European interaction, including the participation of multiple actors in systems of trade, coercion, and colonization that caused profound human suffering and long-lasting harm; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the interconnected histories of the Benin Bronzes, the transatlantic slave trade, and colonial violence and affirm the importance of presenting these histories accurately, responsibly, and with cultural sensitivity; and be it further

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

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

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