“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.
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
