Africa Deserves the Return of Its Stolen Artifacts

The debate surrounding the return of African artifacts housed in museums and private collections across Europe and the Americas is both a moral and a legal issue. These artifacts, often acquired through colonial conquest, looting, and dubious transactions, hold immense cultural, historical, and spiritual value for African communities. Returning these treasures is essential for addressing historical injustices, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering genuine global equity.

The Historical Context of Artifact Removal

During the colonial era, European powers not only exploited Africa’s natural resources but also looted its cultural and spiritual treasures. Artifacts like the Benin Bronzes, the Rosetta Stone, and countless others were seized during military campaigns or taken under the guise of "exploration." These artifacts were not acquired consensually but were often the spoils of violent conquests, leaving their rightful owners without agency.

For example, the British punitive expedition of 1897 to the Kingdom of Benin resulted in the looting of thousands of artifacts, including intricate bronze plaques and sculptures, which are now scattered across institutions like the British Museum and the Louvre. Such actions stripped Africa of its cultural patrimony, robbing communities of tangible links to their history and identity.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Artifacts are more than mere objects; they are repositories of cultural identity, spiritual connection, and historical memory. For many African societies, these objects hold deep spiritual significance and are integral to rituals, storytelling, and communal heritage. Their removal disrupted the cultural fabric of societies, leaving gaps in traditions and historical continuity.

The presence of these items in foreign museums perpetuates a colonial narrative that diminishes African agency and expertise. By returning these artifacts, the global community can help restore the dignity and cultural identity of African nations, allowing them to reconnect with their histories on their own terms.

The Ethical Imperative

The continued retention of stolen artifacts is a form of cultural imperialism that perpetuates colonial hierarchies. Museums often justify holding these items by claiming they are better preserved or more accessible in Western institutions. However, this argument ignores the capacity of African nations to care for their cultural heritage. Many African countries have developed world-class museums and conservation facilities, such as the planned Edo Museum of West African Art in Nigeria, which is designed to house the Benin Bronzes upon their return.

Moreover, the argument that these artifacts belong to "humanity" fails to address the harm caused by their removal. While cultural heritage does have universal significance, the primary custodians of these artifacts are the communities from which they originate. Recognizing this is a matter of justice, not charity.

Legal and Diplomatic Precedents

International laws and conventions, such as the UNESCO Convention of 1970 on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, support the return of looted artifacts. Several countries have already set important precedents. For example, Germany announced plans to return the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, acknowledging their wrongful removal and the need for restitution. These actions set a powerful example for other nations to follow.

Benefits of Restitution

The return of stolen artifacts would have profound benefits for African nations. It would enhance cultural tourism, provide educational opportunities, and foster national pride. Restitution also encourages a more equitable global cultural exchange, where nations interact as equals rather than as former colonizers and colonized.

Additionally, returning artifacts can promote reconciliation and strengthen diplomatic relations between Africa and the nations that hold its treasures. Acknowledging and correcting past wrongs is essential for building mutual respect and trust in international relations.

Counterarguments and Their Flaws

Opponents of restitution often argue that returning artifacts would leave Western museums impoverished or that tracing provenance is too complex. However, such arguments prioritize the interests of powerful institutions over the rights of historically marginalized communities. The complexity of provenance research is not a valid excuse for inaction; rather, it underscores the need for transparency and collaboration in addressing these historical wrongs.

Conclusion

Returning Africa’s stolen artifacts is not just about righting historical wrongs; it is about recognizing the value and dignity of African cultures. These treasures belong to the people who created them and to the communities that continue to draw identity and meaning from them. By returning these artifacts, the global community can take a significant step toward decolonizing cultural heritage and fostering a more just and equitable world. It is time to close this chapter of colonial injustice and allow Africa to reclaim its rightful legacy.

Many significant artifacts and treasures from Africa have been removed during colonial rule and are now housed in museums, private collections, and institutions across the globe. Below is a list of some of the most important stolen African artifacts and where they currently reside:

1. Benin Bronzes

• Origin: Kingdom of Benin (modern-day Nigeria)

• Description: A collection of thousands of intricate brass plaques, sculptures, and ceremonial items, these masterpieces document the history, religion, and royalty of the Benin Kingdom.

• Current Location:

◦ British Museum (London, UK)

◦ Ethnological Museum (Berlin, Germany)

◦ Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA)

◦ Numerous other institutions across Europe and the US.

• How They Were Taken: Looted during the British punitive expedition of 1897.

2. Rosetta Stone

• Origin: Egypt

• Description: A granodiorite stele inscribed with a decree in three scripts: Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphic, which was key to deciphering ancient Egyptian writing.

• Current Location: British Museum (London, UK)

• How It Was Taken: Discovered by French soldiers in 1799 and seized by British forces after the defeat of Napoleon.

3. Great Zimbabwe Birds

• Origin: Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

• Description: Soapstone carvings of birds that are sacred symbols in Zimbabwean culture.

• Current Location:

◦ Museums in South Africa and Europe (some have been returned to Zimbabwe).

• How They Were Taken: Removed during colonial exploration and looting in the 19th and 20th centuries.

4. Bust of Nefertiti

• Origin: Amarna, Egypt

• Description: A world-famous painted limestone bust of Queen Nefertiti, renowned for its beauty and craftsmanship.

• Current Location: Neues Museum (Berlin, Germany)

• How It Was Taken: Discovered by German archaeologists in 1912 and smuggled to Germany under questionable circumstances.

5. Obelisk of Axum

• Origin: Axum (modern-day Ethiopia)

• Description: A massive granite obelisk, originally a funerary monument.

• Current Location:

◦ Returned to Ethiopia in 2005 after being taken to Rome by Italian forces during Mussolini’s invasion in 1937.

• How It Was Taken: Seized during Italian colonization of Ethiopia.

6. Maqdala Treasures

• Origin: Ethiopia

• Description: Includes manuscripts, crowns, jewelry, and religious artifacts looted from Emperor Tewodros II’s fortress at Maqdala.

• Current Location:

◦ British Museum (London, UK)

◦ Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK).

• How They Were Taken: Looted by British troops during the 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia.

7. Kota Reliquary Figures

• Origin: Gabon

• Description: Abstract wooden and metal figures used to guard ancestral relics.

• Current Location: Major art museums in Europe and the United States, including the Louvre (Paris, France).

• How They Were Taken: Acquired through colonial trade and theft.

8. Tabots (Ark of the Covenant replicas)

• Origin: Ethiopia (Tewahedo Orthodox Church)

• Description: Sacred altar slabs representing the Ark of the Covenant, integral to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity.

• Current Location:

◦ British Museum (London, UK).

• How They Were Taken: Looted during the Maqdala expedition in 1868.

9. Asante Gold (Golden Stool and other items)

• Origin: Asante Kingdom (modern-day Ghana)

• Description: Royal gold regalia, including the sacred Golden Stool, symbolizing the soul of the Asante nation.

• Current Location:

◦ Many pieces are in the British Museum and private collections.

• How They Were Taken: Looted during the Anglo-Asante wars of the 19th century.

10. Egungun Masquerade Costumes

• Origin: Nigeria, Benin, and other parts of West Africa

• Description: Sacred costumes used in Yoruba spiritual ceremonies and ancestral worship.

• Current Location: Museums in Europe and the US.

• How They Were Taken: Often acquired through colonial-era trade or outright theft.

Efforts Toward Restitution

Some nations and institutions have begun returning artifacts:

• France has returned items from the Dahomey Kingdom (modern-day Benin).

• Germany has agreed to return the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.

• Ethiopia has received some Maqdala treasures.

However, the majority of these artifacts remain in foreign institutions, despite increasing calls for restitution. Returning these treasures would not only acknowledge past wrongs but also restore cultural dignity and heritage to African nations.