The Netherlands on Thursday officially returned 119 priceless artifacts to Nigeria, marking a significant moment in the global movement for cultural restitution. These repatriated treasures, famously known as the Benin Bronzes, include an array of exquisite human and animal figures, ceremonial plaques, regal regalia, and a sacred bell.
British soldiers brutally plundered these invaluable artifacts from the ancient Kingdom of Benin during a punitive expedition in the late 19th century. For decades, many of these stolen items were housed within the esteemed Wereld Museum in the Dutch city of Leiden.
This monumental repatriation follows a formal request from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, reflecting growing international efforts to address colonial-era looting.
During a poignant handover ceremony in Edo State, Oba Ewuare II, the revered monarch and profound custodian of Benin culture, described the artifacts’ return as nothing short of “divine intervention.” He underscored the profound power of steadfast prayer and unwavering determination in achieving this long-sought justice.
Marieke Van Bommel, director of the Wereld Museum, affirmed the Dutch government’s strong commitment to returning artifacts that rightfully belong to other nations. Olugbile Holloway, director of Nigeria’s commission, highlighted this as the largest single repatriation from the Netherlands to date.
Nigeria actively continues its vigorous efforts to recover numerous additional items plundered during the brutal colonial period. Previous successful repatriations include 72 objects from a London museum and 31 from a Rhode Island institution in 2022.
The Bronzes were originally stolen in 1897 when British forces, commanded by Sir Henry Rawson, ruthlessly sacked the prosperous Benin kingdom, forcing its monarch, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, into extended exile.
