The Flag of the Benin Empire!
Although this has been disputed in certain quarters, it is in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich where is it is labelled as a "Flag of the Benin Empire".
A red wool bunting flag with linen hoist, machine sewn with a rope halyard attached. The design is applied in white fabric with painted details, representing a naked man decapitating another with a sword.
The flag is reported to have been brought back to Britain by Admiral F.W. Kennedy from the 1897 expendition. 'Kennedy' is inscribed on a paper label attached to the rope.
There is strong indication that this flag could be of Portuguese origin, designed exclusively for Benin during the heights of its imperial power and gifted to Oba Orhogbua (c1550 - 1578) by his Portuguese trade and military allies.
#beninhistory
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