Latest news with #Fon
eNCA
13-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Finland returns sacred stool looted by France to Benin
Benin on Tuesday received from a Finnish museum a sacred "katakle" three-legged stool, symbol of the African nation's artistic wealth looted by French colonial troops in the late 19th century. The stool was the missing piece from 27 items of cultural treasure from the royal palaces of Abomey, inhabited by the kings of the west African kingdom of Dahomey, known for its vibrant artistic culture. Located in the south of modern-day Benin, Dahomey was founded in 1625 by the Fon people, who built up a powerful military and trading empire lasting for more than 250 years. France had previously returned the other 26 treasures from the collection to Benin in November 2021, following a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron. "Each of the pieces, torn away from its original context, bears a voice, a function, a story," said Minister of Culture Jean-Michel Abimbola, at the handover in Cotonou. "They bear witness to the depth of traditional political institutions, the ingenuity of artistic skill and the grandeur of a civilisation rooted in spirituality, aesthetics and plurality." Many artworks looted under imperial rule were seized by colonial administrators, troops or doctors, who passed them down as heirlooms. In turn their descendants donated the artworks to museums in Europe and the United States. - 'Common heritage' - The royal seat had once belonged to King Behanzin and was looted by French General Alfred Dodds when the royal palace was sacked in 1892. It was used during official ceremonies to symbolise stability, power and unity and for coronations. First brought to Paris's Musee de l'Homme in 1937, an exchange with Finland saw the item moved to Helsinki two years later. Abimbola paid tribute to the "patient work tracing (the item), backed by international cooperation mechanisms between museum institutions" which had enabled the stool to be located and returned. He said the restitution of Benin's cultural heritage was something which "reintegrates our national narrative, enriches our living memory and revives our common heritage." His Finnish counterpart, Mari-Leena Talvitie, present for the handover, expressed delight at the "excellent cooperation between the two countries" noting the stool had been preserved in "excellent condition". Dah Metokan Ghezo, 59, an Abomey prince and dignitary, lauded the return to the fold of "one of the most essential elements of Abomey's ceremonial rituals". According to a 2018 report commissioned by Macron, French museums retain around 90,000 items of sub-Saharan African artwork, with the Quai Branly museum alone home to around 78,000.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Finland returns sacred stool looted by France to Benin
Benin on Tuesday received from a Finnish museum a sacred "katakle" three-legged stool, symbol of the African nation's artistic wealth looted by French colonial troops in the late 19th century. The stool was the missing piece from 27 items of cultural treasure from the royal palaces of Abomey, inhabited by the kings of the west African kingdom of Dahomey, known for its vibrant artistic culture. Located in the south of modern-day Benin, Dahomey was founded in 1625 by the Fon people, who built up a powerful military and trading empire lasting for more than 250 years. France had previously returned the other 26 treasures from the collection to Benin in November 2021, following a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron. "Each of the pieces, torn away from its original context, bears a voice, a function, a story," said Minister of Culture Jean-Michel Abimbola, at the handover in Cotonou. "They bear witness to the depth of traditional political institutions, the ingenuity of artistic skill and the grandeur of a civilisation rooted in spirituality, aesthetics and plurality." Many artworks looted under imperial rule were seized by colonial administrators, troops or doctors, who passed them down as heirlooms. In turn their descendants donated the artworks to museums in Europe and the United States. - 'Common heritage' - The royal seat had once belonged to King Behanzin and was looted by French General Alfred Dodds when the royal palace was sacked in 1892. It was used during official ceremonies to symbolise stability, power and unity and for coronations. First brought to Paris's Musee de l'Homme in 1937, an exchange with Finland saw the item moved to Helsinki two years later. Abimbola paid tribute to the "patient work tracing (the item), backed by international cooperation mechanisms between museum institutions" which had enabled the stool to be located and returned. He said the restitution of Benin's cultural heritage was something which "reintegrates our national narrative, enriches our living memory and revives our common heritage." His Finnish counterpart, Mari-Leena Talvitie, present for the handover, expressed delight at the "excellent cooperation between the two countries" noting the stool had been preserved in "excellent condition". Dah Metokan Ghezo, 59, an Abomey prince and dignitary, lauded the return to the fold of "one of the most essential elements of Abomey's ceremonial rituals". According to a 2018 report commissioned by Macron, French museums retain around 90,000 items of sub-Saharan African artwork, with the Quai Branly museum alone home to around 78,000. str/pid/cw/sbk
France 24
13-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Finland returns sacred stool looted by France to Benin
The stool was the missing piece from 27 items of cultural treasure from the royal palaces of Abomey, inhabited by the kings of the west African kingdom of Dahomey, known for its vibrant artistic culture. Located in the south of modern-day Benin, Dahomey was founded in 1625 by the Fon people, who built up a powerful military and trading empire lasting for more than 250 years. France had previously returned the other 26 treasures from the collection to Benin in November 2021, following a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron. "Each of the pieces, torn away from its original context, bears a voice, a function, a story," said Minister of Culture Jean-Michel Abimbola, at the handover in Cotonou. "They bear witness to the depth of traditional political institutions, the ingenuity of artistic skill and the grandeur of a civilisation rooted in spirituality, aesthetics and plurality." Many artworks looted under imperial rule were seized by colonial administrators, troops or doctors, who passed them down as heirlooms. In turn their descendants donated the artworks to museums in Europe and the United States. 'Common heritage' The royal seat had once belonged to King Behanzin and was looted by French General Alfred Dodds when the royal palace was sacked in 1892. It was used during official ceremonies to symbolise stability, power and unity and for coronations. First brought to Paris's Musee de l'Homme in 1937, an exchange with Finland saw the item moved to Helsinki two years later. Abimbola paid tribute to the "patient work tracing (the item), backed by international cooperation mechanisms between museum institutions" which had enabled the stool to be located and returned. He said the restitution of Benin's cultural heritage was something which "reintegrates our national narrative, enriches our living memory and revives our common heritage." His Finnish counterpart, Mari-Leena Talvitie, present for the handover, expressed delight at the "excellent cooperation between the two countries" noting the stool had been preserved in "excellent condition". Dah Metokan Ghezo, 59, an Abomey prince and dignitary, lauded the return to the fold of "one of the most essential elements of Abomey's ceremonial rituals".
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Bill named after 8-year-old NC girl would penalize gun owners for crimes with lost or stolen guns
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — A grieving father, turning his pain into action and urging the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a bill focused on lost and stolen guns and safe gun storage. The bill is named for his daughter Jenesis Dockery, an 8-year-old girl shot and killed in Fayetteville in 2023. Investigators say an 11-year-old pulled the trigger after taking a relative's gun. Jenesis' family has been advocating for this bill and working with lawmakers for well over a year, but her father Fon said seeing it actually drafted brought up some mixed feelings. He said it is hard to process but also gives him hope. Cumberland Co. father mourns 8-year-old daughter's death, looks for answers 'That smile and that laugh right there, that is defining of Jenesis right there,' Fon said, pointing out a picture on a wall filled with pictures and memories of his daughter. Jenesis is everywhere in her family's house, her pictures lining the walls and hallways, many also featuring her younger sister – her parents calling the two inseparable. 'That one's too pretty not to hang of her and her sister,' Fon said of a picture of the sisters in an inflatable pool in the family's yard. Now, Jenesis' name could be enshrined in state law. Dad wants boy charged in his Cumberland Co. daughter's death to spend life in jail 'We just know we're hurt, and we want to do something powerful with that hurt,' Fon said. In July 2023, Jenesis and her sister were at a babysitter's house. Investigators say the babysitter's 11-year-old son took a gun from his grandfather's safe, pulled the trigger and shot and killed Jenesis. 'The decision to secure his weapon, if that's made, we're not here today in this situation,' Fon said. Now, a new bill in the State Senate, the Jenesis Firearm Accountability Act, would require gun owners to report a gun lost or stolen within 48 hours. If they fail to do so, they could face fines and additional civil penalties if the gun is used in a crime. Fayetteville family seeking accountability over daughter's death in shooting If the firearm is used in a violent felony or misdemeanor, the gun owner would be charged with the same level offense as the person who committed the crime, unless they can demonstrate a 'reasonable inability' they did not report the gun. The gun owner in Jenesis' case was not charged. 'I think it's horrific that it didn't happen in our case. and it very much did have an underlying effect in this bill,' Fon said. Fon added the bill is not about infringing on Second Amendment rights. In fact, he insists it promotes responsible gun ownership. The bill would also include a sales tax exemption for equipment used to secure guns, like gun safes or lockboxes. 'We want to protect your Second Amendment right by continuing to harbor and manifest responsible, accountable gun owners,' Fon said. Fon also said it is hard to see Jenesis' name on the bill. He said it makes her absence feel more real. At the same time, there is also hope. 'It gives us hope that her life, the loss of her life didn't take away the light of her life,' he said. He hopes everyone can learn from that light he says his daughter had and learn to 'Live Like Jenesis,' the name he and his wife gave their foundation. 'They have a school dance, nobody was dancing with that little girl? Jenesis goes and dance with her. That's who she was,' Fon said. 'Our eight year old child can do it? We have no excuse as adults.' The new bill is still in the early stages. It has passed a first reading in the Senate and is now in committee. It will have to pass two more readings in the Senate, and three in the House before heading to the governor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
