On February 19, the Dutch embassy announced that the Netherlands would be returning about 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. These artifacts were looted during the British punitive expedition against the Kingdom of Benin in 1897. Museums around the world have included them in their collections since then.
The transfer agreement was signed by Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Eppo Bruins, and the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway. Bruins felt that this restitution would help rectify a historical wrong, stating that,
“Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community. The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”
A press statement from the Dutch government revealed that the 119 Benin Bronzes consist of plaques, personal ornaments, and figures.
These artifacts are considered artistic masterpieces that provide insight into the history and social structure of the Benin Kingdom. Holloway expressed gratitude to the Netherlands, describing the return as “the single largest return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition.” The bronzes will likely be arriving in Nigeria later this year. No date has been announced yet as of the time of writing.
Furthermore, a member of the Rotterdam municipal executive, Said Kasmi, supported the return, noting that,
“Art and heritage should be where they belong. These objects belong in Nigeria. By returning them, we’re taking an important step towards recognising the past and respecting the value these objects hold for Nigeria.”
The Call For Repatriation Grows Louder
Frankly, it is hoped that this will continue to push international efforts to repatriate African artifacts looted during the colonial era. Similar actions have been taken by Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Germany’s return of 1,030 Benin Bronzes in 2022 was a landmark event, and three US museums, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, returned 31 Benin Bronzes.
However, not every museum has been forthcoming. The British Museum, which holds the most extensive collection of Benin Bronzes, has yet to return its artifacts due to legal restrictions. This latest gesture by the Netherlands may increase pressure on the institution to find a means to resolve things quickly.
