Cultural Heritage: Campaign To Have Stolen Artifacts Repatriated To Kenya

NAKURU,Kenya, Feb, 28 – There is still hope that artifacts that were looted and plundered from the country by former colonial powers and treasure hunters will be returned back to the country amidst a continental push also advocating for the restoration and protection of nation’s cultural heritage.

Director of Antiquities and Sites at the National Museums of Kenya Dr. Fredrick Manthi said that Kenya is actively engaged in discussions to have artifacts returned to the rightful owners.

Thousands of artifacts belonging to Kenya are said to be exhibited in various museums across Europe and North America with little context as to how they were obtained.

“Across the African continent there has been a big push for countries across Africa to have artifacts looted by colonial masters and owners brought back to Africa and Kenya is involved in the discussions. Kenya has a very rich heritage both natural and cultural and even pre historic heritage and that has placed the country on the world map in terms of human ancestry is concerned,” said Manthi.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of Kariandusi Prehistoric Site Museum in Gilgil Sub-County over the weekend, Dr Manthi said that it was imperative Kenyans become involved and acquaint themselves with the rich heritage across the country.

“I encourage young Kenyans to appreciate the need to protect our heritage because these are the people that will protect this heritage in years to come and play a huge role in conservation efforts,” he said.

Studies have revealed that at least 90 per cent of the continent’s artifacts are not in the respective home countries amidst collective calls to have them brought back home.

For instance,it is estimated that Belgium alone has more than 100,000 African pieces with France possessing close to 90,000 African artifacts.

Meanwhile at least 32,000 artifacts belonging to Kenya are not in the country.

“Most people find museums as places where children go to and do not see themselves as adults that they would want to visit. I want to encourage you that museums are more than just exhibitions and there is so much work they are doing. There are more than 140 museums and pre historic sites across the country. i encourage you to visit the one near you,” said Dr. Wala Elizabeth Amakove Founder and Chief Visionary Officer Wanderlust Diaries.

“Kenya is lucky to have these very early sites. It is just wonderful and they can be investigated and the country takes in its education and deep perspective for everyone of hat humanity really is,” said John Goulmet, Professor of Archaeology and Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Liverpool.

Benin Bronzes

TRecently two Benin bronzes were returned to a traditional palace in Nigeria, more than a century after they were pillaged by British troops, raising hopes that thousands more artefacts could finally be returned to their ancestral home.

The artefacts, mostly in Europe, were stolen by explorers and colonizers from the once mighty Benin Kingdom, now southwestern Nigeria, and are among Africa’s most significant heritage objects. They were created as early as the 16th century onwards, according to the British Museum.

At a colourful ceremony to mark the return of a cockerel sculpture and head of an Oba or king, spokesman Charles Edosonmwan for the Oba palace in Benin City noted that some of the bronzes were kept as far away as New Zealand, the United States and Japan.

The two artefacts were handed over to the Nigerian High Commission in October by the University of Aberdeen and Cambridge University’s Jesus College but have yet to return to their ancestral home.

“They are not just art but they are things that underline the significance of our spirituality,”Edosonmwan said in an interview on the sidelines of a ceremony attended by traditional leaders.

The return is another milestone in the years-long fight by African countries to recover looted works, as numerous European institutions are grappling with the cultural legacies of colonialism.

Some 90 per cent of Africa’s cultural heritage is believed to be in Europe, French art historians estimate. Musée du quai Branly–Jacques Chirac in Paris alone holds around 70,000 African objects and London’s British Museum tens of thousands more.

Additional Reporting by Reuters.