Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has officially accepted 18 historical artifacts that were returned from Switzerland following 125 years abroad. The monarch stressed that these items are far more than decorative pieces; they serve as essential documentation of the Edo people’s spirituality, governance, and artistic traditions, all of which were seized during colonial attacks.
A significant highlight of the collection is an ancestral head of a Benin Oba, which was taken during the British military raid on the Royal Court in 1897. During the handover ceremony attended by a Swiss delegation and the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, the Oba thanked various government figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Monday Okpebholo, for facilitating the return.
Reflecting on the ongoing recovery efforts, the Oba noted that his palace has successfully reclaimed more than 150 looted pieces since he took the throne. He specifically called on Germany to fulfill its 2022 pledge to return over 1,000 Benin artworks and encouraged global institutions to rectify historical injustices by returning stolen cultural property. The ceremony, described by attendees as a significant homecoming, featured traditional celebrations by the Oba, who praised the commitment of the officials involved in the repatriation process.
