Commemorating Oba Ovonramwen Poem 3

Oba Ovonramwen the Great was the last king of the old Kingdom of Benin. He was disposed of by the British in 1897 after their punitive expedition. He died in exile on Tuesday 13^thJanuary 1914. These weekly poems commemorate him.

Poem 3

After the Punitive Expedition

After the Punitive Expedition; after the burning, 
After the looting, terracotta figures, ivory and bronze plaques,
Sold off in England and France, Germany and America too,
Museums, private collections, it has become quite a narrative;
Sold here, sold there, auction here, auction there, 
Scholars and visitors to museums, say ‘cheese!’
'That is my history you know;', you hear everywhere,
Museums, private collections, it has become quite a narrative;
After the Punitive Expedition!

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