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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Complicated legacies at the National Museum Lagos. Superb Benin Bronze display (but sadly few visitors), a dig at the British Museum, and Her Majesty (sculpted by Ben Enwonwu) #Nigeria

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Very excited to go back to Lagos for this. Should be a cracker

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

In 2024 the BM & V&A returned looted treasures to Asante, Ghana, albeit on loan. I'm talking with the director of the Asantehene museum and ex-BM curator who crafted this historic deal. Tues Sept 15th, National Liberal Club, Whitehall. 6pm. Free, must register members.nlc.org.uk/web/pages/ev....

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Delighted, a little amazed, to be on the list for such a prestigious prize, alongside such fantastic books from around the world. 'The world's leading prize for a work of history written or translated into English.' www.cundillprize.com/news/the-202...

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The looting of Kumasi 1874 & 1896. The British Museum & V&A have now returned some gold treasures to Ghana, albeit on loan. A unique chance to hear from the 2 men who negotiated this extraordinary deal, at the NLC 15/9/26. Book here⬇️ members.nlc.org.uk/web/pages/ev...

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I'm talking about the British in Africa, colonial loot, and Asante at the @chalkefestival.bsky.social near Salisbury Friday 26th June 18.45 with @afuahirsch.bsky.social & Lindsey Hilsum. Do join us - in fact the whole festival has an incredible range of events www.chalkefestival.com

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

That was painful but not the despair of '06. A young team, a wonderful manager, the future is ours. Proud of these players and I felt lucky to be there #COYG

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Thrilled to be at the Notting Hill Festival this Saturday. Do come along !

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

About half a million Africans signed up for the British army in the 2nd WW. This history matters more than ever. My lunchtime lecture, - 'African Soldiers and WW2' - City Lit, central London, May 15th (photos-recruitment, training, northern Nigeria) www.citylit.ac.uk/lunchtime-le...

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

The inaugural Notting Hill Literary Festival! I'll be talking to Gus Casely-Hayford, on empire, loot, West Africa, museums & much more. Saturday 16th May 3pm, do join us. nottinghilllitfest.com

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

The Wallace Collection has some of the finest Asante gold regalia in the world -bought by Richard Wallace in 1874 when the Kumasi plunder was sold to the British aristocracy. So I'm delighted to see 'The African Kingdom of Gold' in its giftshop. (Apologies back-lit -sun makes rare London appearance)

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Sunday stroll, Abney Park cemetery, London, grave of Henry Richard MP 'Apostle of Peace', critic of British imperial wars in Africa, Asia. 'These were not triumphs of Christian civilization, but of barbarism and brute force' he said after Wolseley's invasion of Asante.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

My new book is released tomorrow. But I found it already on sale in the British Library, so signed some copies. A glowing review in today's Oldie magazine- a 'vividly narrated, judiciously presented' account of Anglo-Asante war and plunder.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

My new book is released tomorrow! But I found it already on sale at the British Library, so signed some copies. A review in today's Oldie Magazine says it is 'vividly narrated, judiciously presented'.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

'Barnaby Phillips' book will prove an invaluable tool as we confront the uncomfortable truth of the presence of hoards of stolen treasure in some of our great national institutions.' Lord Boateng 'beautifully renders the courage and resistance of a people' Clive Myrie

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

My new book. 'A book that will take your breath away...may make you angry, perhaps sad but will leave your heart bursting with vicarious joy. An epic generational tale of a people’s grace, tenacity & indefatigability.' Gus Casely-Hayford 'A compelling, challenging & important book.' William Boyd

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Wonderful to see the prominence given to African soliders in Burma 2nd WW at Forgotten Armies Exhibition @nationalarmymuseum.bsky.social London, Chelsea. Until April 12th

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Soldiers have appeared on TV in the Benin Republic saying they have taken power from President Talon.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Unusual London view. From the Royal Victoria Dock footbridge, November evening.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Extraordinary & beautiful new book on the woodcarvers of Benin City Nigeria, post-1897 British invasion. 'Their works were scattered around the world and, unlike the famous Bronzes, have not been the subject of scrutiny until now.' Michael Graham-Stewart.Abe Books www.abebooks.co.uk/first-editio...

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

A new plaque in the St Paul's Crypt; Kofoworola Abeni Pratt, pioneering nurse. Only the 5th woman in the crypt...and the first Nigerian (unless you count John Hawley Glover). Next to Florence Nightingale.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

On #VJ Day thinking of all those who fought in Burma, including the West African contingent, and my good friend Isaac Fadoyebo

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

West Reservoir Hackney, 7 am swim. Bliss. And most encouragingly, the sky above full of swifts.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Reports of the demise in the market in looted Benin Bronzes would appear to have been exaggerated. 357,500 Euros for plaque which had apparently belong to André Derain. Paris auction 25/6/25 www.gazette-drouot.com/en/auctions/...

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

see my book 'Loot' on Derain and Benin Bronzes. 2/3

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

This is extraordinary- Benin plaque for auction Paris 25/6/25. 'Late 16th or 17th century'- implication looted by the British 1897. Part of the famous collection of artist André Derain. drouot.com/en/l/2959701... 1/3

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Alot of (not unjustified) talk of Broken Britain. So only fair to say that HM Passport office (painfully slow a few years ago) is now excellent. Filled out the form Thursday 5th at night, posted the old one in Friday, new one arrived today Weds 11th (regular service) bravo !

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

You might like this exquisite torc, Asante, Ghana. Gold, almost 1 kg, royal regalia. Looted by the British army in 1874, bought by British Museum in 1877. Loaned back by BM to Asante king's museum in Kumasi Ghana in 2024, where I took this pic.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

BTW, the best journalist's account, by far, of the Nigerian Civil War 1967-70

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

When Frederick Forsyth was sent by the BBC to cover the Nigerian civil war (he on the Biafra side, Martin Bell on the federal side) he befriended Emeka Ojukwu and eventually wrote this v sympathetic biography

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Thursday night London, this should be an interesting evening, do please come.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Do come to this free screening of 'Dahomey' and discussion. 15/5/25, evening, central London www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dahomey-sc...

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

#PolicyExchange If you release a big new report 'Principles for Restitution' but are *still* confusing Republic of Benin with Benin City (Benin Bronzes) in #Nigeria, you will struggle to convince anyone of your knowledge of West Africa...arrggghh

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

#MetaBookThieves are using books we took years to write, without our permission, to train their A.I, and, who knows, make all authors redunant? Copyright piracy. Thank you @societyofauthors.bsky.social

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Netherlands to return 113 Benin Bronzes to #Nigeria. "The objects will be returned to the Nigerian government, which will then decide how and where they will be displayed." www.government.nl/latest/news/... (photos @Wereldmuseum)

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

If you're interested in the British empire, colonialism & the British Museum...and have not been to the BM's Hew Locke exhibition, do please go. It' v stimulating. Until Feb 9th. (And some great books on sale!)

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Wishing all dear friends in #Ghana a peaceful and smooth election !

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

The Horniman museum, London opens a Great Benin Exhibition....with great Benin art, old & new. On 2nd anniversary of its transfer of ownership of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Celebrations in Kumasi of centenary of King Prempeh's return from 28 yr exile (mainly) in the Seychelles and the endurance of the Asante kingdom...with the President of Seychelles.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

100 years ago this week King Prempeh returned home to Asante from Seychelles after 28 yrs exile. The British sent +70 Asante political prisoners to the distant islands in Indian Ocean. Prempeh's return celebrated in Kumasi & star guests include Seychellois Prempeh descendants.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

The famous French dealer Charles Ratton bought it...but was convinced by Bill Fagg to sell it 'sans profit' to the Asantehene. Today it is back in Kumasi, and used by a royal gun bearer, as originally intended all those years ago.

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

One small story of return. 1974 Christie's auctioned this Asante hat decorated with gold leaf. 'The Property of a Lady...Taken by Lt Cowan...from the dressingroom of Asantehene Kofi Karikari, 1874'

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

I'm back in Kumasi Ghana..another chance to see the amazing Asante treasures loaned back by the British Museum and V&A (looted by the British army 1874 & 1896)

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Barnaby Phillips @barnabyphillips.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

Some photos I took exactly 30 years ago - Oct 94- in #Mozambique 1st multi-party elections and a time of hope in southern Africa. Sad to see the news from Moz this week.

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