As countries all over the global community, particularly those on the African continent, are making frantic efforts to redeem and revive their respective technically-oriented heritage as regards culture and history, Benin Republic might soonest be wearing a cheerful physiognomy in respect of the struggle.
This assertion isn’t unconnected with the recent approval cum pronouncement made by the young and vibrant French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron; and cannot equally be totally unconnected with the seeming sincerity that accompanied the avowal.
Two weeks back, precisely on Friday, 23rd November 2018, Mr. Macron who apparently has enormous passion in issues pertaining to culture and tourism, reportedly indicated his government’s willingness to return all the ‘stolen’ cultural artefacts to Benin Republic, the original home of the ornaments.
The decision, which Mr. Macron said should not be seen as an “isolated or symbolic case”, was informed on the receipt of the findings of a study he commissioned on repatriating African treasures held by French museums.
He therefore agreed to return 26 works, mainly royal statues from the palaces of Abomey – formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey – taken by the French army during a war in 1892 and now in Paris’ Quai Branly museum.
The president, who hoped that all possible circulation of these works are duly considered and returned, additionally proposed gathering African and European partners in Paris next year to define a framework for an “exchange policy” for African artworks.
It’s noteworthy that in recent times, calls have been growing in Africa for restitution of artworks to the continent, but it’s as well worthy of note that the French law strictly forbids the government from ceding state property to any nation or entity even in well-documented cases of pillaging. Notwithstanding, it seems Macron has broken that jinx.
In 2016, the Benin Republic demanded that France return her items including statues, artworks, carving, sceptres and sacred doors. While that request was initially denied, in November same year, President Macron raised hopes in a speech he delivered in Burkina Faso, pledging to repatriate African heritage to the continent.
Following the speech, he asked the French art historian, Mr. Benedicte Savoy and the Senegalese writer, Mr. Felwine Sarr to painstakingly study the matter. Their report, thereafter, was welcomed by advocates of restitution of works that were bought, bartered, looted, or in some cases stolen.
The said report proposes that legislation should be developed to return thousands of African artefacts taken during the colonial period to the nations that requested them. There are conditions, however, including a proper request from the relevant country, precise information about the origin of the demanded works, as well as the proof of the existence of adequate facilities such as museums to house them back in their home country.
In his further speech, Macron stated that museums would be invited to identify African belongings and organize possible returns and ought to quickly establish an “online inventory of their African collections”. He also called for in-depth work with other European states that still retain collections of the same nature “acquired in comparable circumstances”.
It would be recalled that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convention against the export of illicit cultural goods adopted in 1970 called for the return of cultural property taken from a country but it didn’t address historic cases. Nevertheless, with museums fearing they could be compelled to return artefacts, some former colonial powers have sluggishly ratified the resolution: France only did so in 1997, followed by Britain, Germany and Belgium in 2002, 2007 and 2009, respectively.
The aforementioned report as was commissioned by Macron, opined that such collections were severely depriving Africans of their artistic and cultural heritage. It said “On a continent where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 20 years old, what is first and foremost of a great importance is for young people to have access to their own culture, creativity, and spirituality from other eras.”
As countries across the African continent are currently filled with the desire to see that their technically-oriented heritage are duly returned by their respective colonial masters, Nigeria shouldn’t place herself in abeyance. Since Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, successive governments have sought from Britain the return of the country’s looted artefacts but such quest had ostensibly failed on deaf ears.
Just recently, more than a century after the British soldiers ‘stole’ a collection of priceless artefacts from the Benin Kingdom in Edo State, a deal was struck between the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG) and the Britain towards ensuring that some of the most iconic pieces such as the Benin bronzes are returned on a “temporary basis” to form an exhibition at the new Benin Royal Museum “within three years”. But why must our looted treasures be loaned to us?
As the present Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari is seemingly concerned to diversify the country’s economy, it must expedite action to see that the tourism industry is fully resuscitated and boosted by ensuring all the looted artefacts are wholly returned to the country by the Britain. Aside the bronzes, there are many other precious works like the Benin ivory mask that are equally yearning for return.
Similarly, as was stated by the French leader, Mr. Macron in regard to creating an online inventory, the governments at all levels ought to acknowledge that it’s high time they fully embraced the Information Technology (IT) concerning tourism, hence should ensure their respective tourist centres cum possessions could henceforth be assessed online to enable outsiders or foreigners appreciate their worth. The features of the digital age mustn’t be overlooked.
All in all, as the Benin Republic is prepared to graciously welcome their stolen artefacts home from France, Nigeria needs to follow suit headlong. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, National Coordinator of Right Thinkers Movement
writes via frednwaozor@gmail.com
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