A wave of jubilation swept through the palace of the Oba of Benin on Monday as Oba Ewuare II received two significant artefacts from the University of Iowa Museum, United States of America.
The artefacts, a mother hen sculpture and a bronze plaque, were ceremoniously handed back, marking the second return of such items to the monarch within the past two months.
This recent repatriation follows the return of two artefacts from Germany on May 18, which were among those looted during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom.
The continuous return of these precious items is seen as a significant step towards restoring the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom.
Oba Ewuare II, while receiving the artefacts in his palace, emphasized the clear directive on the ownership of such artefacts established by the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, through his gazette before leaving office.
The monarch noted that while his forebears initiated the process of reclaiming these items, he has been fortunate to witness and accomplish their return during his reign.
“The artefacts are not mere items; they hold deep spiritual significance which mortals cannot fully comprehend,” the Oba stated, highlighting the profound cultural and spiritual loss experienced due to the looting.
He called upon political leaders to aid in preserving the rich traditions and customs of the land, ensuring that such heritage is protected and revered.
In a gesture of reconciliation, Mr. Cory Gundlach, the Curator of African Art at the Stanley Museum, Iowa, personally apologized to the Oba for the use of the artefacts as teaching materials without the consent of their rightful owners.
Gundlach expressed remorse on behalf of his colleagues who had similarly used the artefacts for educational purposes in the United States. He reassured the monarch of his commitment to facilitating the return of other artefacts held in institutions elsewhere.
This historic return underscores a broader movement of restitution and recognition of cultural heritage rights, with institutions worldwide increasingly acknowledging the importance of returning looted artefacts to their places of origin.
The Benin Kingdom, with its rich history and cultural legacy, stands to benefit significantly from the repatriation of these invaluable treasures.
