KEY POINTS

• The Netherlands has returned a Benin artefact to Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom.
• The presentation took place at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City on October 20, during activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary.
• Dutch representatives presented the artefact, with further returns expected, according to the anniversary committee chairman.
• The Oba called for stronger cultural and historical relations with Portugal and acknowledged the Netherlands’ role in returning the object.

MAIN STORY

The Netherlands has returned a historical Benin artefact to Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after British forces invaded the Benin Kingdom in 1897 and looted numerous cultural objects.

The artefact was presented at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City on October 20 as part of activities marking the traditional ruler’s 10th coronation anniversary.

Chief Lucky Imasue, chairman of the coronation anniversary committee and a former deputy governor of Edo State, said the Netherlands had initiated the return of artefacts taken from the kingdom following the invasion.

He said the artefact was presented by the Netherlands’ Consul General, Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, executive director of Museum De Fundatie in the Netherlands.

Imasue described the return as significant because it coincided with the anniversary of the Oba’s coronation, coming more than a century after the objects were removed from the kingdom.

He said the artefacts documented the history, authority and daily life of the Benin Kingdom and had been preserved at the palace before the invasion. He added that further returns were expected.

According to Imasue, efforts to recover the objects began under previous Obas but gained momentum during Ewuare II’s reign. He also said the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, recognised that the artefacts had been taken from the Oba’s palace and should be returned there.

He thanked the Netherlands and the Nigerian Government for their roles in the return and for choosing the coronation anniversary as the occasion for the presentation.

The ceremony was attended by Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Santos. In his anniversary address, Ewuare II commended the Netherlands for returning the artefact and thanked the Dutch consul general and Portuguese ambassador for attending.

The Oba also expressed interest in deepening cultural and historical relations with Portugal, recalling the country’s historical links with the kingdom and the establishment of the Holy Aruosa Church during the Portuguese era.

He explained that his forefathers had sought to embrace Catholicism while retaining traditional beliefs, resulting in a church whose practices and regalia reflected Catholic influences.

Ewuare II also recalled his time as Nigeria’s ambassador in Rome, where he said he learnt that the Vatican had begun recognising African traditional religions. He commended Van Bormann for her commitment to the artefact assignment.

THE ISSUES

The return highlights continuing efforts to recover cultural objects removed from African kingdoms during the colonial era. For the Benin Kingdom, the artefacts carry historical, cultural and spiritual significance beyond their value as museum collections.

The location to which an artefact is returned also matters. Imasue’s remarks reflect the position that objects taken from the Oba’s palace should be restored to the palace, rather than simply transferred to another institution in Nigeria.

The process of restitution can also create opportunities for cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and countries holding Benin artefacts. However, the supplied statement did not specify the artefact’s identity, its previous collection history or whether a formal agreement governing the return had been published.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“Efforts to recover the artefacts date back to previous Obas, but gained momentum under Ewuare, whose diplomatic experience as a former ambassador helped advance the campaign.” – Chief Lucky Imasue, chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee.

“The Benin kingdom maintains its traditional spiritual portals of communication with Almighty God.” – Oba Ewuare II.

WHAT’S NEXT

Further returns may follow, according to Imasue, although the supplied information did not provide a timetable or identify the objects expected to be returned next.

Continued engagement between the Nigerian Government, the Benin Palace and foreign institutions will be important to efforts to recover additional artefacts and clarify their historical provenance.

BOTTOM LINE

The Netherlands’ return of a Benin artefact marks another step in efforts to restore cultural objects taken during the 1897 invasion. For the Benin Kingdom, the return represents the recovery of part of its historical heritage, while further restitution efforts remain ongoing.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)