Netherlands returns centuries-old Benin artefact to Oba Ewuare II

The growing international campaign to return looted African cultural treasures has received a fresh boost with the presentation of a centuries-old Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to mark the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.

The artefact, which had been in the collection of Museum de Fundatie in the Netherlands since 1937, was presented to the Benin monarch by the museum’s Executive Director, Beatrice von Bormann, in the presence of the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos.

The presentation underscores renewed international efforts to restore African cultural objects to their places of origin and reconnect communities with their historical and spiritual heritage.

Speaking during the presentation, Von Bormann expressed delight at returning the object to the Benin Kingdom, noting that investigations had traced its production to the 18th century.

She explained that the artefact had travelled across different parts of the world before its return, adding that it carried significant spiritual symbolism associated with reincarnation and Olokun, the Benin deity linked to the sea and wealth.

The return comes amid growing international attention to the restitution of African artefacts taken away during colonial encounters, with the Benin Kingdom at the centre of longstanding efforts to recover cultural treasures scattered across museums and private collections worldwide.

Receiving the artefact, Oba Ewuare II reflected on the historical relationship between the Benin Kingdom and Portugal, recalling that his forebears had encountered efforts to introduce the Catholic faith into the kingdom as far back as the 15th century.

The monarch, however, noted that the Benin people remained firmly committed to their traditional religious beliefs, stressing that the kingdom possessed its own spiritual heritage and established means of communicating with God.

“We have a very unique link with the Portuguese. When I was told that the Portuguese Ambassador was around, it was like telepathy, because I had been thinking already about Portugal,” the Oba said.

Oba Ewuare II also expressed surprise at learning that the Vatican recognised African traditional religions, a development he said was significant in the broader conversation about the place of indigenous African spirituality in the global religious landscape.

The presentation formed part of activities marking the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary, adding cultural and historical significance to the celebrations and highlighting the importance of preserving the Benin Kingdom’s heritage for future generations.