The main reason is actually that the laws which guarded this art form is still in place it is a royal art under the patronage of the Benin royal family and only the decendants of the bronze casters can run this business
Because the politicians do not care about helping out the artisans. They just want to score points by pointing the fingers at the british for something that happened 100 years ago and will benefit nobody. Instead, they could turn the attention and resources to the people, keeping the tradition alive. That would actually benefit the people, their families and also it would send a message to the people that hard work and dedication pays off.
That's not what he means. He's saying he's glad ppl are finally paying attention to his craft and that it's being documented for future generations, not that his work will only be appreciated in 100 years.
In eastern India, we have a very very similar technique called the Dokra art(lost wax) to create such artifacts and culturally significant pieces. Glad to see such similar practises over a totally different region of the world !! Beautiful works
Humans are very connected so I don't understand all the racial hate. Yrs ago I went to a museum in New York. The beaded work of The Native American Indians was very similar to beaded work of Africans. The beaded work was done in a time when the two groups had not yet met.
@@katzwhite5962what racial hate??? You just exposed yourself. Stop being foolish. The person just made an observation about the similarities of two ancient cultures/societies😒
@@forward_ever_ever2595 Please read @katzwhite5962's comment again-- please. She/he did not accuse anyone of racial hate. @katzwhite5962 simply observed that cultures are so interconnected that it makes no sense to conjure up reasons to hate. @Katzwhite5962 didn't "expose" themselves or act foolish. You read things that weren't there and over-reacted. Any idea why?
@@emilerose1424 she stated "humans are connected so i don't understand all the racial hate..." the writer ASSUMED there was some there was some form of racial hate on the original source thread, when that was a completely wrong assumption.
There’s so much potential in Nigeria but most of our African leaders are so disorganized with no vision. They can expand and organize this industry to benefit the artists and the country in a very beautiful way.
I need to go visit this guild someday. Usually, when you think of a UNESCO Heritage Site, you think of a ruin that no one uses anymore, but it makes a lot of sense for a place like that with such an important craft to be a Heritage Site as well.
That would never happen. They are happy to hold onto stolen loot to shoe the world their past dominance. They would never pay for this to replace what they stole.
This is Beautiful to See All the way from the USA Ase ASE 🇸🇳🇮🇪🇪🇹🇯🇲🇬🇳 Arise Mama Africa We can See Our Ancestors ENDURED and Speaking through his Hands and through the Benin Bronze
Are you stupid? Benin Bronzes come from Nigeria, and I don't know why you used the flag of Ethiopia, a landlocked country in East Africa, do you think African American slaves came from there?
My heart goes out for fellow casters and foundry workers as someone who has nearly 5 years experience of my own. Some day I wish to see this shop for myself after having read about the bronzes prior to this video.
I've been watching videos of Japanese and Korean craftsmen using ancient techniques and just marveled at the finished products. This is the first video that I saw African craftsmen creating beautiful objects using ancient techniques. Such pride and love I have for these craftsmen and women. I would love to see more.
@@SirSloo She didn't even mention you and you lot. Why do you feel so offended to the point you just HAVE TO insert yourself into a conversation that doesn't concern you?
I have never felt the way I felt viewing Benin art in person. There's nothing like it anywhere in the world and it is definitely a generational treasure, passing it down from generation to generation. A family treasure. ❤️
Interesting that the government funds repatriation efforts but not the continuation of the craft. While the former is undoubtedly important, the latter can’t only belong to history if it’s going to survive. I wonder if it’s viable/more profitable for the artists to sell directly over the internet?
There probably is a market to sell these online. It's all political and many involved will probably forget about the item when it gets back, even scraping them thereafter. Many were legitimately gifted or fairly bought so those belong with whoever inherited them and should be displayed
I'm surprised that the museums haven't done some sort of exchange program where they get new bronzes for the old one while paying the artists to keep the tradition alive. It seem like reasonable plan.
@@sarahlevine776 having it swapped is realy good idea. i mean having label in the museum saying " this is replica created with original technique preserved in our time" making it part of the original artefact history.
@@mildlydispleased3221 whats more important, having something of historical value or maintaining that same craft as a living and evolving artistic tradition? I’d say that keeping the art alive is far more valuable, but these African govts are far too corrupt to care about supporting their local artisans, they only want the historic ones returned so they wouldn’t have to actually pay any of their own money to support the artisans
I hope the craftsman get the government support they deserve. I am in awe of Fred and the other bronze craftsmen who are preserving their culture in such an exquisitely beautiful way.
There is a federal university in Benin with a department of arts. Many of the students intern in related fields with local craftsmen. There is also a state university. Nigerians do not properly patronize these crafts. Christianity labeled them as fetish. We need a mindset switch.
@@PamelaBraide Well said! While the Nigerians are letting Western-taught religion make them ashamed of their art, the people teaching them that religion are collecting the art for their own benefit. Silly rabbits.
I love would to see this in person one day. I didn’t heard about the Bronzes until a few years ago, so much of African history has been erased, hidden, or stolen. I hope the government is able to realize the power of the arts and pay the craftsmen what they deserve and more!
As a slav I need to say: no matter how often they come to loot and pillage and no matter what they take from you, they can't take away your identity! Don't go to the museum and think of it as a dark place, think of it as progression and everytime another country returns a Benin Bronze you can see it in the museum and welcome it home :)
Your statemen is beautifully poetic--with a touch of philosophy. A thought: "They" can't take identity, but "they" can make some people ashamed of their identity by downgrading what they create--even while stealing it for their own museums.
@@emilerose1424 thx for your words, even though you are correct. I was more thinking of the lost heritage of the youth, you know so they can learn from the museum and get inspired :)
Yes we could make this into jobs, yeah for decorations or to tell stories idk 🤷🏿♂️ I'm Caribbean but I like to see the art work of my African ancestors.
Every African culture I have ever seen already has something that it does superbly, superbly well. Fabric weaving, basketry, wood carving, bronze, clay, brick-laying, needlework; you name it, and an African culture does it. After all, human civilization started on that continent. The theft of their art forms from GB's colonial reign continues to put their lives on mute. They just need cooperation from the IMF, WB, and opportunities for fair trade.
@@emilerose1424 IMF and WB are among those vultures that try to keep African trade and profitability under their thumb. Africans need to relearn about the value of these arts, to train youngsters and add economic value to what they produce. Otherwise we will cry about the West forever
Provide their address also so that people all over the world could purchase from them.Merely making videos only benifits business insider not artists and people
Agreed I would definitely invest in a lot of their work because I just finished buying a house and this is totally my style and as a professional artist myself I’m all about helping artist around the world so if anybody has any information on how to contact these people about purchasing, I would love to know
Well-done . I appreciate that the craftsmen speak in their own words. As a teacher, years ago; I presented the Benin culture to my Humanities students.
@@The_HarylabaI can't remember saying Benin is part of South West or having any similarities with South India. When I look at these artwork the first thing that comes to mind is South-South Nigeria like Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers. Let's just ignore for instance, similarities in cultures within Nigeria and the sculptures that are made from terracotta, ivory and bronze, and often depicted human faces. Hmmmm
I am from South Africa and I know about the generations of artists who still produce bronzes - it will be extremely sad if this art form dies out. I love Okukor ❤
I remember my drive through Benin as a very young teenager to visit my brother, all I could think was how red the state was because of the soil. Old memories 😊
Invest in these artisans they are so talented ...I remember the first time I saw these in person and was stunned at the beauty and quality...I've never forgotten
Absolutely the most beautiful spiritual art, I have admired it for years, I wish that it will be more appreciated and that all the missing pieces will finally be returned where they belong. Love and respect spiritual art. Greetings from Vienna , god bless....namaste
The most beautiful spiritual art? I don’t think so. Have you seen the Sistine chapel? Or the Longmen grottos? African art looks like chicken scratch compared to that.
@@henrylivingstone2971 Do you know The History and Historical Facts About Egypt and the present day Egyptians? Those are invader's they are not The Original Egyptians? My Heritage is apart of the Ancient Egyptians like the Akans in Western Africa 🇬🇳🇯🇲🇪🇹🇮🇪🇸🇳 man the Story is in my DNA, and it's A long Story? 🧬 I've only heard a bit of facts but What I have in my DNA tells the Exact historical story?🤔
It broke my heart to see how these artists don’t get any economic help from anybody in the community or government, I love what they do. It is a national treasure, they deserve the best in life for keeping that knowledge alive.
As an artist myself I'm deeply touched for the art of ancestors being returned to the rifle place and also the people behind them to keep their art alive for many a generations to come❤
While its great that these small impactful businesses and traditions are being highlighted on this platform. My issue with business insider is … if you take the time to get a story and profit off of it. You should allocate some of your resources to make small websites so they can make money and continue their art.
I live in NJ. I wonder if there’s something I could do to help get the piece that’s in Princeton, NJ back to Benin? I can try writing a formal request to see what they say? The Benin art that was taken, should be returned.
@@IhamaFred Why did you say "Thank you Sir"? The person who posted the original kind offer regarding the bronzes (@ThisIsYourOnlyWarning) appears to be a woman.
I'm very glad to know that at least a few of the bronzes are being returned, hopefully more museums (cough British museum cough) will return stolen works going forward. I also hope the craftsmen in Benin get more direct support, it would be a huge loss for their craft to be lost
An eye opener. I already knew about the stolen Benin bronzes but I didn’t know there were so much of them. It’s indeed time to give them back to the Benin people. The craftsmanship of those bronze casters is unbelievable. They make these beautiful life like statues with so few tools. That is ingenious. There should be more publicity about this. Where are the Western galleries? These statuettes are certainly an as beautiful piece of art as some ugly modernistic painting. Helping the artists to sell their work could benefit the community and push more young people to learn and preserve the art. Documentaries like this one are needed to make people all around the world en especially the West aware of the knowledge and culture of the different African peoples.
The sad reality of craftsmanship in Nigeria is the government wanting to preserve the old at the expense of the new and upcoming. They should both be given equal priority.
Great Art Crafts. These artworks should be sustained in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. It reflects it rich cultural heritage which must be passed to coming generations.
They resisted British “colonialism” not “British commercial involvement”…the Benin empire had already been trading with Europeans for centuries, if it was about respectful economic involvement there wouldn’t have been an issue…tell THAT PORTION of the story correctly…the British were instructed not to come to Benin during a certain time…THEY DISRESPECTED THESE INSTRUCTIONS and came anyway…the Benin people did not attack for no reason…Britain violated their laws and customs FIRST…do not turn the British into victims…keep in mind this proposed “economic involvement” HAPPENED AFTER the Berlin conference where European powers already expressed interests in colonizing and EXPLOITING African people, their resources, and their labor.
Im benin and i really hope that our history doesn't die out I wish our government could do a program to train more people on bronze casting techniques..........
Stop waiting for the government for everything. Tell Ayiri and other millionaires in Edo to empower the youth by setting up workshops or better still you can invest by opening an online store where people can purchase these items. There are lots of people interested in the comment section.
FRED, what an incredible artist you are!!!! Nigerians have a bad rap in today's modern world, and rightly so in many cases, but then there are the 'FRED's' of NIGERIA that give's me hope, peace and respect for his country and his HONEST HARD WORKING CRAFTSMANSHIP.
Benin is foolish to not promote this. I keep saying, countries don't value artists, but the people who sell the countries are the artists. Do you know how valuable Rihanna made Barbados, what Bob Marley and all the dancehall artists did for Jamaica? Etc etc... What all of the Geishas and Calligraphers did for japan? What the artwork of ancient egypt did for the respect of that country? It was an artist (Shephard Fairey) that made Obama go viral. Stop sleeping on art. Their contributions are important
@@TheLocalStandard it is relevant. It is part of reason why as a Nigerian I am not enthusiastic about attempts to get back Benin bronzes that the Brits looted. They clearly don't care about the bronzes by their action of ignoring the ungoing craft to its now near extinction. So their actual reason for gunning for the return is just to get some pride boost.
I loved Benin, and living in Cotonou. Made me love Africa, it's people, and memories that will never leave of Cotonou. It trully was the best. I miss Africa every day, everything about it. Even living in Lagos next door...😮
We the Bini/Edo people of Nigeria 🇳🇬(former Benin Empire) have no ethnic or tribal connection with Benin 🇧🇯 (former Kingdom of Dahomey) this is Nigeria 🇳🇬 NOT Benin 🇧🇯 .
Ohhh my sister would understand love one of these statues. She loves how bronze tarnishes. Maybe I could try making one myself. This technique seems very beginner friendly
I was fully under the impression that the Benin Bronzes were a purely archeological heritage, had no idea that the craft/tradition is ongoing.
I suspect the art market keeps it quiet as possible to maintain the high price of the few in private hands.
@@Divertedflight sad, but likely true.
All things Africa should go to umssuka.
The main reason is actually that the laws which guarded this art form is still in place it is a royal art under the patronage of the Benin royal family and only the decendants of the bronze casters can run this business
@@Divertedflightit because the art form is under the Benin Royal family patronage only a select few are allowed to participate in this arts
This is so emotional. When he said in the next 100yrs, his work will be remembered. Why not honour the craftsmen now while dey live?
Very much so✌🏿✌🏿✌🏿
Thank you sir
probably because now everyone wants to have the best Phones and some kind of special or expensive clothes.
Because the politicians do not care about helping out the artisans. They just want to score points by pointing the fingers at the british for something that happened 100 years ago and will benefit nobody.
Instead, they could turn the attention and resources to the people, keeping the tradition alive. That would actually benefit the people, their families and also it would send a message to the people that hard work and dedication pays off.
That's not what he means. He's saying he's glad ppl are finally paying attention to his craft and that it's being documented for future generations, not that his work will only be appreciated in 100 years.
Wow I am a Nigerian from Benin it is nice to see our culture been talked about
Do you have the information or know any of these artisans in order to contact them for purchasing by any chance?
Where can I contact them, or a place you recommend for an order?
@@Ali-in-Wonderland. Yeah
That doesnt mean anyone sees anything as good.....
Absolutely beautiful ❤️ howdy from Texas
In eastern India, we have a very very similar technique called the Dokra art(lost wax) to create such artifacts and culturally significant pieces. Glad to see such similar practises over a totally different region of the world !! Beautiful works
Love from India, preserve the Benin culture at all costs. ❤
Thanks for your support
Thank you Fred for keeping the tradition alive and sharing your knowledge. I am very proud of you and I admire you.
Thank you
Human creativity & ingenuity always amazes me.
As an indian, i thought this was dokra, but its so similiar!! We are so connected😊
Humans are very connected so I don't understand all the racial hate. Yrs ago I went to a museum in New York. The beaded work of The Native American Indians was very similar to beaded work of Africans. The beaded work was done in a time when the two groups had not yet met.
@@katzwhite5962 exactly
@@katzwhite5962what racial hate??? You just exposed yourself. Stop being foolish. The person just made an observation about the similarities of two ancient cultures/societies😒
@@forward_ever_ever2595 Please read @katzwhite5962's comment again-- please. She/he did not accuse anyone of racial hate. @katzwhite5962 simply observed that cultures are so interconnected that it makes no sense to conjure up reasons to hate. @Katzwhite5962 didn't "expose" themselves or act foolish. You read things that weren't there and over-reacted. Any idea why?
@@emilerose1424 she stated "humans are connected so i don't understand all the racial hate..." the writer ASSUMED there was some there was some form of racial hate on the original source thread, when that was a completely wrong assumption.
As an Edo artist I love to see attention being brought to the culture and our crafts 🇳🇬❤️
please keep this alive! This is truly amazing! Love from Rwanda
There’s so much potential in Nigeria but most of our African leaders are so disorganized with no vision. They can expand and organize this industry to benefit the artists and the country in a very beautiful way.
I need to go visit this guild someday. Usually, when you think of a UNESCO Heritage Site, you think of a ruin that no one uses anymore, but it makes a lot of sense for a place like that with such an important craft to be a Heritage Site as well.
it would be a great thing if they gave the bronzes back, and then commissioned the craftsmen to make new ones/replicas
That's exactly what I was thinking as well. Seems like a win/win for everyone, really.
That would never happen. They are happy to hold onto stolen loot to shoe the world their past dominance. They would never pay for this to replace what they stole.
Great idea.
agreed
hmm… sounds like, things would be significantly better if we didn’t steal from people? what!?
This is Beautiful to See All the way from the USA Ase ASE 🇸🇳🇮🇪🇪🇹🇯🇲🇬🇳 Arise Mama Africa We can See Our Ancestors ENDURED and Speaking through his Hands and through the Benin Bronze
This is the "Benin empire" in Nigeria and not Republic of Benin a country in West Africa.
Are you stupid? Benin Bronzes come from Nigeria, and I don't know why you used the flag of Ethiopia, a landlocked country in East Africa, do you think African American slaves came from there?
I own one of those statues. My father gave it to me as an Benin man. Edo people need to support them
"So that it does not die in our hands"
Deep.
My heart goes out for fellow casters and foundry workers as someone who has nearly 5 years experience of my own. Some day I wish to see this shop for myself after having read about the bronzes prior to this video.
I've been watching videos of Japanese and Korean craftsmen using ancient techniques and just marveled at the finished products. This is the first video that I saw African craftsmen creating beautiful objects using ancient techniques. Such pride and love I have for these craftsmen and women. I would love to see more.
what is ancient about the technique? they melt down brass fittings pour into a mold and polish the statues with power tools
Very incredible technique that has survived for generations
Our living heritage as Africans and Diaspora in the Americas, please do not let this culture die out! It's so lovely, exquisite and regal!
Rule brittania
@@SirSloo Britannia is in flames, because of its European citizens. Ho sit down.
@@SirSloo your country is now reverse colonised by muslims most your pop not even white.
You wanna eat it?
@@SirSloo
She didn't even mention you and you lot. Why do you feel so offended to the point you just HAVE TO insert yourself into a conversation that doesn't concern you?
I have never felt the way I felt viewing Benin art in person. There's nothing like it anywhere in the world and it is definitely a generational treasure, passing it down from generation to generation. A family treasure.
❤️
So glad to see this artwork being discussed.
The best part is that they are recycling those old parts into art. 🎉
Interesting that the government funds repatriation efforts but not the continuation of the craft. While the former is undoubtedly important, the latter can’t only belong to history if it’s going to survive. I wonder if it’s viable/more profitable for the artists to sell directly over the internet?
There probably is a market to sell these online.
It's all political and many involved will probably forget about the item when it gets back, even scraping them thereafter.
Many were legitimately gifted or fairly bought so those belong with whoever inherited them and should be displayed
@user-rn2zb6be1u you a Brit? I'll believe the information from the Nigerians over you.
@user-rn2zb6be1u no thanks. I'll believe the Nigerians, not you 🇬🇧
@@DarkResonance How dare you, I'll have you know that I personally am the prince of Nigerias closest and most trusted relative
Yes, because this move was definitely political. No one actually cares about the statues themselves, respectfully.
From Kenya, would love to go there and support by purchasing
I'm surprised that the museums haven't done some sort of exchange program where they get new bronzes for the old one while paying the artists to keep the tradition alive. It seem like reasonable plan.
Because the old ones are of historical value?
@@mildlydispleased3221 True, but if they're going to send statues back, they might as well try to get something in its place.
@@sarahlevine776 having it swapped is realy good idea. i mean having label in the museum saying " this is replica created with original technique preserved in our time" making it part of the original artefact history.
@@mildlydispleased3221 whats more important, having something of historical value or maintaining that same craft as a living and evolving artistic tradition? I’d say that keeping the art alive is far more valuable, but these African govts are far too corrupt to care about supporting their local artisans, they only want the historic ones returned so they wouldn’t have to actually pay any of their own money to support the artisans
@@Algimantazno dumbass we want the original because they were stolen from us
I hope the craftsman get the government support they deserve. I am in awe of Fred and the other bronze craftsmen who are preserving their culture in such an exquisitely beautiful way.
Benin should invest in an Arts University to preserve this tradition and history. They could fund these 40 masters as professors at this university
There is a federal university in Benin with a department of arts. Many of the students intern in related fields with local craftsmen. There is also a state university. Nigerians do not properly patronize these crafts. Christianity labeled them as fetish. We need a mindset switch.
@@PamelaBraide Well said! While the Nigerians are letting Western-taught religion make them ashamed of their art, the people teaching them that religion are collecting the art for their own benefit. Silly rabbits.
I love would to see this in person one day. I didn’t heard about the Bronzes until a few years ago, so much of African history has been erased, hidden, or stolen. I hope the government is able to realize the power of the arts and pay the craftsmen what they deserve and more!
The craftsman need to setup an online presence for people to buy their work!
As someone whose family is from Edo State, I’m so thrilled watching our artisans being showcased. Esan oyeee
Woooooaaaaaaaaahhh! Super PROUD of my Benin people! Edo to the World!!!
No thanks
Bless this man and his lineage. This is so beautiful, I hope these craftsmen can continue for years to come.
I want to see this beautiful art technique, Benin Bronze, to continue. Don't let this part of your culture die!
As a slav I need to say: no matter how often they come to loot and pillage and no matter what they take from you, they can't take away your identity! Don't go to the museum and think of it as a dark place, think of it as progression and everytime another country returns a Benin Bronze you can see it in the museum and welcome it home :)
Your statemen is beautifully poetic--with a touch of philosophy. A thought: "They" can't take identity, but "they" can make some people ashamed of their identity by downgrading what they create--even while stealing it for their own museums.
@@emilerose1424 thx for your words, even though you are correct. I was more thinking of the lost heritage of the youth, you know so they can learn from the museum and get inspired :)
This craft needs to be known all over AFRIKA. These crafters would make so much bank
Yes we could make this into jobs, yeah for decorations or to tell stories idk 🤷🏿♂️ I'm Caribbean but I like to see the art work of my African ancestors.
Every African culture I have ever seen already has something that it does superbly, superbly well. Fabric weaving, basketry, wood carving, bronze, clay, brick-laying, needlework; you name it, and an African culture does it. After all, human civilization started on that continent. The theft of their art forms from GB's colonial reign continues to put their lives on mute. They just need cooperation from the IMF, WB, and opportunities for fair trade.
@@emilerose1424 IMF and WB are among those vultures that try to keep African trade and profitability under their thumb. Africans need to relearn about the value of these arts, to train youngsters and add economic value to what they produce. Otherwise we will cry about the West forever
Such traditions and culture is one of humanities most beautiful things.
This craft is incredible. The government should help the craftsmen to preserve this art.
Fred is so incredibly well spoken and poised. I would love to watch him host a show on West African art and culture!
Respect to this craft man 🎉🎉😊 love Nigeria 🇳🇬
Benin City is my city ❤
I’m so proud that this is coming out more and more. Much love from your African American cousin. 🔥✊🏿🫡🌍🇳🇬
Provide their address also so that people all over the world could purchase from them.Merely making videos only benifits business insider not artists and people
Agreed I would definitely invest in a lot of their work because I just finished buying a house and this is totally my style and as a professional artist myself I’m all about helping artist around the world so if anybody has any information on how to contact these people about purchasing, I would love to know
They are easy to locate. They are based in Benin City, Edo State.
Go to Benin City yourself then.
Well-done . I appreciate that the craftsmen speak in their own words. As a teacher, years ago; I presented the Benin culture to my Humanities students.
These would make beautiful souvenirs and interior decoration items. I hope their business sell international and more people support the artists
Do not let this culture die out. Home decor for every African home for one is a great way to start.
thank you for shedding light on this, i’ve learnt something new about my hometown ❤
Their technique is pretty similar to those of South Indian panchaloha makers
I'm not surprised. The two cultures have some things in common. South India and South West Nigeria.
@@FERESE Benin is not in South West Nigeria. It is located in South South Nigeria.
@@The_HarylabaI can't remember saying Benin is part of South West or having any similarities with South India.
When I look at these artwork the first thing that comes to mind is South-South Nigeria like
Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers. Let's just ignore for instance, similarities in cultures within Nigeria and the sculptures that are made from terracotta, ivory and bronze, and often depicted human faces. Hmmmm
@@The_Harylabasimilar artistic practices also exists in the south west and the middle belt and the east
Woo that my state of Origin😍 thanks for the documentary
Incredible as usual
Thanks for sharing the story
I am from South Africa and I know about the generations of artists who still produce bronzes - it will be extremely sad if this art form dies out. I love Okukor ❤
As a Nigerian we appreciate
I'm Nigerian. Very happy this is being covered. Took y'all long enough though, but I appreciate it.
Long enough? Since what? It's a tiny community of craftsman in one country it's just not very relevant
@@Matt-bp5vy shut up Matt. You are not relevant.
@@HenriCobbs very true
Incredible, thanks for this beautiful reportage 👏🏽👏🏽😍😍
Respect from india
I remember my drive through Benin as a very young teenager to visit my brother, all I could think was how red the state was because of the soil. Old memories 😊
VERY red soil. I'll always remember that.
I would love to have this done in memory of my parents, who have passed away. The bronze caster’s contacts should be added to the video description.
His words at the end of the video hits hard 👏
I once heard the saying "It didn't exist until I made it". I'm a crafty person and the saying keeps me inspired..
The Benin bronzes are beautiful.
Don't let this art form die out. 🙏 keep it for generations to come.
Invest in these artisans they are so talented ...I remember the first time I saw these in person and was stunned at the beauty and quality...I've never forgotten
Absolutely the most beautiful spiritual art, I have admired it for years, I wish that it will be more appreciated and that all the missing pieces will finally be returned where they belong. Love and respect spiritual art. Greetings from Vienna
, god bless....namaste
The most beautiful spiritual art? I don’t think so. Have you seen the Sistine chapel? Or the Longmen grottos? African art looks like chicken scratch compared to that.
@@henrylivingstone2971That's where the priests penetrate under age boys?
You're Full of lies Where did the Pyramids come from Africa not anyone in Europe can recreate That?
@@Sweetdification
I mean….Egyptians don’t really look like the rest of Africa. And the pyramids can be replicated but there’s no reason to do so
@@henrylivingstone2971 Do you know The History and Historical Facts About Egypt and the present day Egyptians? Those are invader's they are not The Original Egyptians? My Heritage is apart of the Ancient Egyptians like the Akans in Western Africa 🇬🇳🇯🇲🇪🇹🇮🇪🇸🇳 man the Story is in my DNA, and it's A long Story? 🧬 I've only heard a bit of facts but What I have in my DNA tells the Exact historical story?🤔
It broke my heart to see how these artists don’t get any economic help from anybody in the community or government, I love what they do. It is a national treasure, they deserve the best in life for keeping that knowledge alive.
As an artist myself I'm deeply touched for the art of ancestors being returned to the rifle place and also the people behind them to keep their art alive for many a generations to come❤
Do they have a website or online store? That'd be the best way to sell to an international audience
No, this is a traditional craft, go to a Nigerian shop or to Benin City itself, selling it online will decrease its importance.
Beautiful artistry!
Excellent craftsman, Fred.
Thank you so much for sharing your craft. I truly appreciate the time and energy that you have taken to accomplish every single piece that you made.😊
It's amazing even the craftsmen are amazed thinking how did their forefathers come up with the concept. Wonderful stuff!
While its great that these small impactful businesses and traditions are being highlighted on this platform. My issue with business insider is … if you take the time to get a story and profit off of it. You should allocate some of your resources to make small websites so they can make money and continue their art.
yes you are making sense, a website will help them... mtcheew senseless talk
Thank you BI and thank you Fred!
I live in NJ. I wonder if there’s something I could do to help get the piece that’s in Princeton, NJ back to Benin? I can try writing a formal request to see what they say? The Benin art that was taken, should be returned.
We would appreciate your effort in great measure, and thankyou for appreciating Benin art and culture.
Thank you sir
@@IhamaFred Why did you say "Thank you Sir"? The person who posted the original kind offer regarding the bronzes (@ThisIsYourOnlyWarning) appears to be a woman.
The british stole 5000 and they've given back 8. not sure an american institute cares much for giving them back but thanks for offering. ❤❤❤
I'm very glad to know that at least a few of the bronzes are being returned, hopefully more museums (cough British museum cough) will return stolen works going forward.
I also hope the craftsmen in Benin get more direct support, it would be a huge loss for their craft to be lost
An eye opener. I already knew about the stolen Benin bronzes but I didn’t know there were so much of them. It’s indeed time to give them back to the Benin people.
The craftsmanship of those bronze casters is unbelievable. They make these beautiful life like statues with so few tools. That is ingenious. There should be more publicity about this. Where are the Western galleries? These statuettes are certainly an as beautiful piece of art as some ugly modernistic painting. Helping the artists to sell their work could benefit the community and push more young people to learn and preserve the art.
Documentaries like this one are needed to make people all around the world en especially the West aware of the knowledge and culture of the different African peoples.
The art of the Lost Wax Process is not lost, but lives and I think that's just beautiful.
This tradition needs to be kept alive!!
The sad reality of craftsmanship in Nigeria is the government wanting to preserve the old at the expense of the new and upcoming. They should both be given equal priority.
I learned about this in high school, it's so good that there are people who know these artforms
Now this is who we need to protect by any means
The Benin bronzes are beautiful!!
Great Art Crafts.
These artworks should be sustained in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
It reflects it rich cultural heritage which must be passed to coming generations.
Stunning art by reknowned craftsmen. May your traditions live on👑
Great video. Really amazing to see!
Wow this is so nice and thank you ebuwa for sharing, your craftsmanship is beautiful family history is beautiful and yo daddy was fine!
If there’s another life, I will still want to be a Benin man, I love my culture ❤
This is wonder journalism.
Beautiful work.. wish them prosperity with their craft and skills…😊😊😊
Beautiful work.
The world is changing so fast.
They resisted British “colonialism” not “British commercial involvement”…the Benin empire had already been trading with Europeans for centuries, if it was about respectful economic involvement there wouldn’t have been an issue…tell THAT PORTION of the story correctly…the British were instructed not to come to Benin during a certain time…THEY DISRESPECTED THESE INSTRUCTIONS and came anyway…the Benin people did not attack for no reason…Britain violated their laws and customs FIRST…do not turn the British into victims…keep in mind this proposed “economic involvement” HAPPENED AFTER the Berlin conference where European powers already expressed interests in colonizing and EXPLOITING African people, their resources, and their labor.
Artwork..human history from across the world..priceless artefacts..where to find..ONE PLACE..THE BRITISH MUSEUM
So glad that the lost wax technique has been preserved!
Great documentary🙏🏽, i hope the remaining statues will come back to where they belong.
Im benin and i really hope that our history doesn't die out
I wish our government could do a program to train more people on bronze casting techniques..........
Stop waiting for the government for everything. Tell Ayiri and other millionaires in Edo to empower the youth by setting up workshops or better still you can invest by opening an online store where people can purchase these items. There are lots of people interested in the comment section.
FRED, what an incredible artist you are!!!!
Nigerians have a bad rap in today's modern world, and rightly so in many cases, but then there are the 'FRED's' of NIGERIA that give's me hope, peace and respect for his country and his HONEST HARD WORKING CRAFTSMANSHIP.
I'm happy to see this here, as a benin man.
Benin is foolish to not promote this. I keep saying, countries don't value artists, but the people who sell the countries are the artists. Do you know how valuable Rihanna made Barbados, what Bob Marley and all the dancehall artists did for Jamaica? Etc etc... What all of the Geishas and Calligraphers did for japan? What the artwork of ancient egypt did for the respect of that country? It was an artist (Shephard Fairey) that made Obama go viral. Stop sleeping on art. Their contributions are important
It's Nigeria not Benin. The names are confusing but the Benin Kingdom and people are in Nigeria, not the modern nation state called Benin.
Even though theres a Country in Africa 🇬🇳🇯🇲🇪🇹🇮🇪🇸🇳 called Benin so it does Become Confusing 🤔
We're talking about the benin empire here which was in the present day nigeria
And not the country benin
@@ikengaspirit3063 Still, his comment is even more relevant regardless.
@@TheLocalStandard it is relevant. It is part of reason why as a Nigerian I am not enthusiastic about attempts to get back Benin bronzes that the Brits looted.
They clearly don't care about the bronzes by their action of ignoring the ungoing craft to its now near extinction. So their actual reason for gunning for the return is just to get some pride boost.
as a jeweler, this is amazing!!!
I loved Benin, and living in Cotonou.
Made me love Africa, it's people, and memories that will never leave of Cotonou.
It trully was the best. I miss Africa every day, everything about it. Even living in Lagos next door...😮
We the Bini/Edo people of Nigeria 🇳🇬(former Benin Empire) have no ethnic or tribal connection with Benin 🇧🇯 (former Kingdom of Dahomey) this is Nigeria 🇳🇬
NOT Benin 🇧🇯 .
Besides they speak "French" not English.
beautiful statues, I really hope the craft will stay alive for years to come. I'll try to spread the word about these beautiful pieces of art.
Ohhh my sister would understand love one of these statues. She loves how bronze tarnishes. Maybe I could try making one myself. This technique seems very beginner friendly