Germany returns Stolen Benin Bronzes
When England ruled Nigeria, it is thought that more than 5,000 old artifacts were stolen from the country. As part of its efforts to deal with its “dark colonial past,” Germany returns twenty antique bronze sculptures to Nigeria on Tuesday, 12/20/2022.
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, gave the valuable cultural items back to Nigerian officials at a ceremony in the capital, Abuja. The sculptures, called “Benin bronzes,” were taken from African when it was ruled by the British as a colony.
“It was wrong to steal these bronzes. It was wrong to keep these bronzes and it is long overdue to return these bronzes to their home,” she said at the event.
The sculptures were made of brass and bronze and had ancient designs. They were used in ceremonies to honor the ancestors and rulers of the Benin people.
Nigerian authorities say that when England ruled the country, it is likely that more than 5,000 ancient artifacts were stolen from the country.
Most of the treasures were taken from the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, which is now in southern Nigeria. Some of the treasures ended up in the hands of other countries, such as Germany.
In the past few years, Nigerian authorities have worked harder to get the stolen artifacts back. Germany promised earlier this year to send more than 1,000 of them home over the next few years.
Germany’s second-biggest trade partner in Africa is Nigeria, and by sending back the items, Germany hopes to start a new chapter in its relationship with Nigeria.
“We see this as a first step. Many bronzes have been looted and stolen, so many will come back,” said Baerbock.
“This step is also important for us because we are dealing with our dark colonial past,” she said.
Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, said that the country was “deeply grateful” to Germany for returning the artifacts. He said that the sculptures are important to the Nigerian people in ways other than how they look. He asked England and other countries with other artifacts to give them back because it was the right thing to do.
Activists say that there needs to be more accountability than just giving the items back. For example, African countries should be paid for the losses they’ve had to deal with over years of looting.
“We are only focusing on the physical objects. What about the digital properties of these works? Who owns those properties? And what is coming with these works?” said Victor Ehikhamenor, a Nigerian artist and advocate for reparation efforts.
“What other restitution and payments do they have to make for holding these works for a long time and making money from it?” he said.
Also read: Benin Stolen Bronzes: US Returns British-stolen Benin Bronzes
