The Netherlands returned 119 artifacts looted from Nigeria, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia and a bell.

Abuja

The Netherlands has formally returned 119 artifacts to Nigeria, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia, and a ceremonial bell, all part of the historic Benin bronzes. These items were originally looted by British soldiers during the 1897 raid on the Benin Kingdom in present-day southern Nigeria and had been housed in a museum in Leyden.

The handover ceremony took place in Lagos, with Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy describing the return as a powerful act of justice and a restoration of dignity and identity. The restitution was made following a formal request by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Netherlands returns 119 artifacts looted from Nigeria

In a significant act of cultural restitution, the Netherlands formally returned 119 looted artefacts to Nigeria. The items, human and animal figures, royal regalia, plaques and a ceremonial bell are part of the historic Benin bronze. The return is one, the importance of it is beyond explanation, you know, the history of these artefacts leaving and being stolen from Benin is one that occurred even before I was born. You know, before I was born all these things were stolen and to have them returned signifies the strength of the Benin people, the strength of the royal family, most especially my forefathers, you know, fought and did everything possible to see this day, you know, happen. At the official handover ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hanat Moussaoua, held the return as a powerful act of justice. The return of 119 of these treasures is not just a restitution of items, it is a restitution of our dignity, of our identity, of our values, of our ideals and the shared humanity that binds us as a people. The collection was looted by British soldiers during the 1897 raid on the Benin Kingdom in present-day southern Nigeria. The Benin bronzes, as we know, are not merely artefacts of artistry or relics of antiquity, they are the living embodiment of the soul and spirit of the Benin Kingdom. These speak eloquently of an era of unparalleled cultural brilliance where artisans and creators transformed bronze into intricate masterpieces that chronicled the history, customs and aspirations of a very proud people. The artefacts had been housed primarily in a museum in Leyden and were returned following a formal request by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

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