The Netherlands returns 119 stolen sculptures to Nigeria
The Netherlands has officially handed back 119 ancient sculptures stolen from the former Nigerian kingdom of Benin more than 120 years ago during the colonial era.
Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments, said on Saturday that the artefacts were the 'embodiments of the spirit and identity of the people from which they were taken from'.
'All we ask of the world is to treat us with fairness, dignity and respect,' he said at a ceremony held at the National Museum in Lagos.
Holloway added that Germany had also agreed to return more than 1,000 additional pieces.
The artefacts, known as the Benin Bronzes, are the latest return of precious history to Africa as pressure increases on Western governments to return items taken during imperialism.
Four of the artefacts are on display in the museum's courtyard and will remain in the museum's permanent collection, while the others will be returned to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II – the traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Benin in southern Nigeria.
The Benin Bronzes include metal and ivory sculptures dating back to the 16th to 18th centuries.The items were stolen in 1897 when British forces, under the command of Sir Henry Rawson, ransacked the Benin kingdom – modern-day southern Nigeria – and forced Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, the monarch at the time, into a six-month exile.
In 2022, Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums worldwide. In the same year, about 72 objects were returned from a museum in London, and 31 were returned from Rhode Island in the United States.
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Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Netherlands returns 119 stolen sculptures to Nigeria
The Netherlands has officially handed back 119 ancient sculptures stolen from the former Nigerian kingdom of Benin more than 120 years ago during the colonial era. Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments, said on Saturday that the artefacts were the 'embodiments of the spirit and identity of the people from which they were taken from'. 'All we ask of the world is to treat us with fairness, dignity and respect,' he said at a ceremony held at the National Museum in Lagos. Holloway added that Germany had also agreed to return more than 1,000 additional pieces. The artefacts, known as the Benin Bronzes, are the latest return of precious history to Africa as pressure increases on Western governments to return items taken during imperialism. Four of the artefacts are on display in the museum's courtyard and will remain in the museum's permanent collection, while the others will be returned to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II – the traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Benin in southern Nigeria. The Benin Bronzes include metal and ivory sculptures dating back to the 16th to 18th items were stolen in 1897 when British forces, under the command of Sir Henry Rawson, ransacked the Benin kingdom – modern-day southern Nigeria – and forced Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, the monarch at the time, into a six-month exile. In 2022, Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums worldwide. In the same year, about 72 objects were returned from a museum in London, and 31 were returned from Rhode Island in the United States.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nigeria receives over 100 looted artifacts from the Netherlands
The Netherlands on Saturday officially handed back to Nigeria 119 precious ancient sculptures, stolen from the former kingdom of Benin more than 120 years ago during the colonial era. It is the latest return of artefacts to Africa, as pressure mounts on Western governments and institutions to hand back the spoils of colonial oppression. Nigeria celebrated the return of the priceless "Benin Bronzes" -- metal and ivory sculptures dating back to the 16th to 18th centuries -- with a ceremony held at the National Museum in Lagos, showcasing four of them in the museum's courtyard. The selection included a bronze carving of a king's head, a carved elephant tusk and a small leopard. In the 19th century, British troops stole thousands of Benin Bronzes in the then-independent kingdom of Benin, in the south of present-day Nigeria. The sculptures were pillaged from the kingdom's royal palace and have since been held in museums and private collections across Europe and the United States. The four artefacts currently on display in Lagos will remain in the museum's permanent collection, while the others will be returned to Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin -- the traditional ruler of the kingdom of Benin in southern Nigeria. "These are embodiments of the spirit and identity of the people from which they were taken from," said Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. "All we ask of the world is to treat us with fairness, dignity and respect," he said at the ceremony, where he announced that Germany had agreed to return more than 1,000 additional Benin Bronze pieces. "The German government has actually signed a transfer agreement to hand over a 1,000 Benin Bronzes back" to Nigeria, he said. - Dignity - Nigeria's art and culture minister Hannatu Musa Musawa, who signed the handover document with the Dutch ambassador for international cultural cooperation, Dewi van de Weerd, said "Nigeria needs to reclaim its history and its heritage". "The deal reached with Germany further underscores the growing international commitment to right historical wrongs and foster mutual respect," she added. Van de Weerd said the Netherlands said the "return of the bronzes which were stolen in 1897 by the British is historic" and would help to restore "dignity". She said her government was also working with other countries such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka for the restitution of artworks plundered by imperialist nations. Adebimpe Adebambo, a Lagos-based artist who has followed the repatriation of the Benin artefacts over the years, said she had paid "top euro to see the works that were stolen from my country". "Im happy that they have come home to us," she told AFP at the ceremony. sn/sbk
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Netherlands returns 119 looted artifacts known as Benin Bronzes to Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The Netherlands on Thursday returned 119 artifacts looted from Nigeria, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia and a bell. The artifacts, known as the Benin Bronzes and mostly housed in a museum in the city of Leiden, were looted in the late 19th century by British soldiers. In recent years, museums across Europe and North America have moved to address ownership disputes over artifacts looted during the colonial era. They were returned at the request of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. During the handover ceremony in Edo State, Oba Ewuare II, the monarch and custodian of Benin culture, described the return of the artifacts as a 'divine intervention.' The Benin Bronzes were returned at the request of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The restitution is a testament to the power of prayer and determination, the monarch said. The Dutch government is committed to returning artifacts that do not belong to the country, said Marieke Van Bommel, director of the Wereld Museum. Olugbile Holloway, the commission's director, said the return of 119 artifacts marks the largest single repatriation to date and that his organization is working hard to recover more items looted during colonial times. Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums around the world in 2022. Some 72 objects were returned from a London museum that year while 31 were returned from a museum in Rhode Island . The Benin Bronzes were stolen in 1897 when British forces under the command of Sir Henry Rawson sacked the Benin kingdom and forced Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, the monarch at the time, into a six-month exile. Benin is located in modern-day southern Nigeria. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
