The Benin Punitive Expedition Chronicle

17th November - This day in 1896 - Consul Philips

dispatches message to the British Foreign Office to
remove King of Benin.
Phillips requested approval to invade Benin and depose the Oba, adding the following footnote: "I
would add that I have reason to hope that sufficient ivory would be found in the King's house to pay
the expenses incurred in removing the King from his stool.

4th January - This day in 1897 - Consul Phillips and his

invading force are annihilated by Benin Strike force. This
event becomes known as the Benin Massacre.
12th January - This day in1897 Admiral Harry Rawson is
appointed to lead the Benin Punitive Exhibition (Britains
response to the annihilation above).
4th February - This day in 1897 Admiral Rawson, Colonel
Hamilton and General-Consul Moor introduce themselves
to the Expedition Force at Sapele.
9th February - This day in 1897 British Expedition Force
disembark from ships.
10th February - This day in 1897 British Expedition Force
steamers arrive at Warrigi.
11th February - This day in 1897 British Expedition Force
Admiral Rawson and staff with 1st and 2nd division begin
march on Benin. They arrive at Ceri.
12th February - This day in 1897 British Expedition Force
Advance on Benin begins.

13th February - This day in 1897 British Expedition Force

Final preparations are made provisions, stores and boiling
water.
14th February -This day in 1897 British Expedition Force
advance has moved 4 miles close to Benin. Combat
begins in the form of running fight.
15th February -This day in 1897 Benin soldiers step up
attack. There is fierce combat with the British Expedition
Force.
16th February - This day in 1897 Fierce combat between
Benin soldiers and the British Expedition Force.
17th February -This day in 1897 A Benin soldier is finally
seen and shot died by a British Expedition Force rearguard.
18th February - This day in 1897 Late evening the
British Expedition Force advance take Benin. They find
the city deserted.
19th February - This day in 1897 The British Expedition
Force start to make themselves at home in Benin. Looting
and burning of high ranking officials houses begin.
20th February - This day in 1897 Burning down of
important buildings and high ranking officials houses in
Benin by the British Expedition Force continues.
21st February - This day in 1897 All high-ranking
officials houses have been ransacked, looted and burnt
down by the British Expedition Force.

21st February - This day in 1897 The Great Fire of Benin

destroys most of Benin City. The British Expedition Force
denies responsibility for this.
22nd February - This day in 1897 The British Expedition
Force last day at Benin. Mr Seppings Wright of Illustrated
London News sketches places of interest in Benin. Sailors,
marines and carriers leave Benin.
May 25th This day in 1897 - British Admiralty begin in
London to auction off looted Benin treasures to pay for
the cost of the expedition. Most are bought by museums
mainly in Britain and Germany. Benin art begin to be
copied by European artists and the style is integrated into
their works. This form of art becomes known as Early
Modernism.
5th August This day in 1897 Oba Ovonramwen
surrenders to the British occupying force.
1st September This day in 1897 - Oba Ovonramwens
trial begins in Benin.
7th September This day in 1897 - Consul-General, Sir
Ralph Moor, makes a public declaration that: Overami is
no longer king of this country. The only king in this
country is the Whiteman. Benin is now a British colony.
Before Oba Ovonramwen and the chiefs who were assembled at the consular court
on the 7th of September, 1897, the Consul-General, Sir Ralph Moor, made the
following public declaration: ...now this is the Whitemans country, there is only one
king in the country and that is the Whiteman... Overami is no longer king of this
country the Whiteman is the only man who is king in this country and to him only
service is due...

15th September This day in 1897 - Oba Ovonramwem is

exiled to Calabar. The system of government in place (the
Oba ruling with his chiefs) is dismantled. British officials

rule the people in partnership with Benin Native Council

(BNC). This comprises of the Iyase (the prime minister)
and 12 junior chiefs reporting to British officials. However,
this system fails because it made the chiefs poorer and
they became unpopular with the people. This
administrative structure continues until 1914 when the
monarchy is restored.
27th June - This day in History in 1899 - General
Ologberese is trialed by the British for leading the Benin
Strike Force which resulted in the Benin Massacre.
28th June - This day in History in 1899 - General
Ologberese is executed by the British for leading the
Benin Strike Force which resulted in the Benin Massacre.
13th January - This day in history in 1914- Oba
Ovonramwen dies in exile in Calabar.
14th September - This day in history in 1909 ConsulGeneral, Sir Ralph Moor is found died in bed. He had
committed suicide by poison deliberately taken. This
date is exactly 12 years to the day that he gave orders
for the exile of Oba Ovonramwen.
22nd July This day in history in 1914 Oba
Ovonramwens heir Prince Prince AiguObasinwin is
crowned Oba Eweka II. Benin monarchy is restored but
with strict limitation on the powers of the Oba and his
chiefs. British officials exercise the indirect rule system.
Effectively the monarchy has lost all rights and authority
over their ancestral land. The monarchy lost all powers to
set and impose taxes and the power to select state
administrators. This presents a challenge to the
monarchy.

The Benin Monarchy has faced many new challenges

since the British Punitive Expedition of 1897.
- Today in history - Benin treasures and Bini people are
spread all over the globe. They continue to serve the
Benin Monarchy and their customs well. As in the 14th
16th century, the Benin monarchy enjoys the support and
friendship of the international community.
The Benin Kingship continue to rule Bini people through
their ancestral cultural heritage. This is a living and
progressive culture. A culture that is the envy of many
across the world.
Oba Ghato;
Okpere!
Ise!
Meaning:
Long live the King!
Amen!

Sapele and Warrigi areas

Oba Ewuare II coronation as 40th Oba of Bini

Thursday 20th October 2016
Oba Ghato;
Okpere!
Ise!