Looted art from Nigeria: Germany returns Benin bronzes

After 125 years, the Benin Bronzes are back in Nigeria. Foreign Minister Baerbock and Minister of State for Culture Roth returned the works of art stolen during the colonial period. They had been in German museums.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth have returned 20 of the precious Benin bronzes in the Nigerian capital Abuja. The works of art stolen in colonial times belonged to the holdings of five German museums for a long time.

The return shows the “willingness to critically evaluate one’s own actions,” with an open ear to the concerns of those who were victims of colonial atrocities, Baerbock said during the ceremony. “We have learned from you: What we give back is part of your history, part of who you are,” said the Green politician to the people of Nigeria.

“Wrong to take her and keep her”

More than 1,100 of the works from the palace of the former Kingdom of Benin, which today belongs to Nigeria, have so far been found in around 20 German museums. The objects, which are made of ivory and other materials in addition to bronze, come largely from British looting in 1897.

“It was wrong to take her and it was wrong to keep her,” Baerbock said. “This is a story of European colonialism. It is a story in which our country played a dark role and caused great suffering in different parts of Africa.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Culture Lai Mohammed thanked for the returns. “Nigeria, Africa and indeed all people will always remember and cherish this moment in human history when Germany stood by our side.”

He appealed to all institutions worldwide, museums such as the British Museum and collectors, to return his country’s cultural assets. “You have to understand that many of these cultural objects are not just works of art for us, but represent the very core of our being.” The pieces are about the culture and heritage of Nigeria.

Roth: Turning point in cultural policy

Minister of State for Culture Roth spoke of a “historic moment” that not only connects the two countries, but also the continents. This type of encounter is based on respect, interest and the desire to learn from one another. One wants to learn from dealing with colonial history and take responsibility, said Roth.

This first concrete step should not “disguise the shame that Nigeria’s request for a return has been ignored or rejected for decades”. For too long, Germany has closed its eyes “to the injustice associated with these bronzes, which have been shown in our museums or stored in depots for so long”. Roth spoke of a turning point in international cultural policy and a prelude to further returns.