The German Foreign Minister, visiting Nigeria since Sunday, returned this Tuesday, December 20, 22 bronzes looted in the former kingdom of Benin. These artifacts are among some 1,130 items that Germany has pledged to return to Nigeria.
With our correspondent in Lagos, Liza Fabbian
The precious bronzes were handed over to Nigeria Tuesday under the crackling of flashes. Abba Tijani, president of the National Commission for Museums and Historic Monuments, is one of the main architects of efforts to restore Benin’s treasures. ” This stool was used for the coronation of the Oba of Benin. The engravings that adorn it say a lot about the Bini people, about their beliefs, but also about certain historical events. »
” Building the future together »
The transfer of ownership of more than 1,000 works held in German museums began at the end of August. For Germany, it is a matter first of all of recognizing ” its dark colonial history “, according to Minister Annalena Baerbock. “ It was a mistake to take these works, it was a mistake to keep them for more than 120 years. »
This museum diplomacy also aims to make Germany a privileged partner of Nigeria, particularly for the training of museum staff or in the context of future research projects: “ We want this occasion to be more than a fleeting moment. Because looking at the past is one thing, but we are here as political representatives, as a society, to build the future together. »
Some of the works will remain in German museums anyway under long-term loans.