Cultural Encounters

Benin Bronzes are some of the finest examples of brass sculpture from the Kingdom of Benin, made between the 15th and 19th centuries.

But far from being displayed in their intended location - the royal palace of Benin - they're scattered across the globe in museums - in cities like London, Berlin, and New York.

The truth is these sculptures, known as the Benin Bronzes, were looted by British Colonial Troops in an incredibly violent attack.

Today, calls to return the Benin Bronzes are increasing, both in Nigeria - where Benin City is located - and increasingly in the Western countries which house these artifacts in their museums.

So why should the sculptures be returned, and why are institutions like the British Museum so reluctant to let them go?

Benin Bronzes: How Stolen Art Ended Up in Museums The Benin Bronzes are some of the finest examples of brass sculpture from the Kingdom of Benin, made between the 15th and 19th centuries.But far from being d...

13-year old Megumi Yokota disappeared out of thin air on the night of November 15, 1977. Her parents had no idea what had happened to their daughter for 20 years, until they learned she was one of the Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea.

The Double Life of North Korea’s Abductees 13-year old Megumi Yokota disappeared out of thin air on the night of November 15, 1977. Her parents had no idea what had happened to their daughter for 20 y...

https://youtu.be/l_T8KuN4ydc

Is History always written by the victors?

Nearly a century after the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, Domingo de San Antón aka Chimalpahin dedicated himself to preserving the knowledge contained in old books and known by a few elders.

He challenged the dominant Spanish narrative by meticulously recopying and cross-referencing ancient texts and oral histories.

Chimalpahin's contributions to our understanding of the Aztec worldview and history are only now starting to be appreciated.

Join me as I tell you the story of Chimalpahin and his quest to preserve his people’s knowledge of the past for future generations.

Outsiders were forbidden from Japan. How did knowledge come in? https://youtu.be/bpbdoPMD2d0

Once upon a time, Japan was more cut off from the outside world than North Korea is today. Foreigners and even Japanese who ventured abroad were forbidden to enter the country, upon the penalty of death. In such a closed-off country, how did foreign knowledge manage to seep through the cracks?

When Japan was forbidden to foreigners, how did it learn about the outside world ? Once upon a time, Japan was more cut off from the outside world than North Korea is today. Foreigners and even Japanese who ventured abroad were forbidden to...