World

France Returns 26 Looted Treasures From Benin

• By Ebenezer Albidar Narh
• November 11, 2021
• 0

President of France Emmanuel Macron has handed back 26 Treasures they took from Benin during the colonial period, fulfilling the promise he made to restore part of Africa's heritage. These artefacts that were taken by the French forces 130 years ago, was brought back home from Paris by the President of Benin Patrice Talon and the Culture Minister Jean-Michel Abimbola. Some of the artefacts that was taken from the Kingdom of Dahomey in the south of present-day Benin, included a royal throne, three totemic statues, said President Talon.

According to President Talon, the treasures were more than just cultural goods as described by France. "This is our soul, Mr. President", he said. The return of the pieces taken from Benin, comes as calls mount in Africa for European countries to return to the colonial spoils lining their museum selves. In France, most are held by the Quai Branly museum, which has begun a major review of its collection to identify works believed to have been acquired through violence.


Source: Bonfil Akai