Lost: the rise and fall of Nigeria's most powerful kingdom

“Lost” explores the rise and fall of the Kingdom of Benin—one of pre-colonial Nigeria’s oldest and most powerful kingdoms. Benin was an important trader of artwork, gold, ivory and pepper. It was also a huge player in the slave trade. In fact, the abolishment of slavery contributed significantly to the kingdom's decline. In the 19th century, Benin was devastated by British invasion, and a fight for the kingdom’s belongings continues today as stolen artefacts such as the Benin Bronzes remain displayed in museums across Europe and North America, away from the hands of their rightful owners. 

Lost

A powerful kingdom
Well known in some parts
Its history is told
With no exact date for the start

Founded by the Edo people
In what was Edo state
Now known as Benin City
The capital of a kingdom once great

Located by the forest
With access to plants and wood
To be used as medicine and tools
A benefit to the kingdoms livelihood

Home to a royal palace
Displaying the kingdom’s wealth
Adorned with brass sculptures
Made within the kingdom itself

Thousands were made
Homed within the palace walls
The Benin Bronzes
Is what they are called

Skilled creators 
And traders of slaves
Sending African people
Across the seas for many days

The kingdom had many resources
With the Portuguese as keen buyers
Trading in gold and pepper
Satisfying desires

They also traded with Northern states
Through many different goods
Exchanging ivory and palm products
For salt and horses where they could

Building local trade connections
As well as with the West
Is another way that the kingdom
Became one of the best

Trading with Europe
North America too
Until a drastic change
A law that was new

Slavery ended
The demand was no more
Then the British arrived
At the kingdom’s front door

The kingdom lost power
A result of less trade
British colonisers attacked
Destroying all the kingdom had made

And so the kingdom fell
Benin City burnt to the ground
The British had invaded
Stealing all they had found

Requests have been made
An issue in dispute to this day
For the stolen items to return home
Yet still the stolen items stay