Benin Monarch Receives Another Looted Artefact From Dutch Museum on 10th Coronation Anniversary

By: Ganiyu Olayinka

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has received another artefact from the Netherlands, presented as a gift to mark the 10th anniversary of his coronation.

The Executive Director of Museum de Fundatie in the Netherlands, Beatrice Von Bormann, handed over the object on Tuesday evening in the presence of the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Martins Santos.

Bormann said the museum had held the piece since 1937 and was pleased to return it. She said research traced its production to the 18th century and that it symbolises reincarnation and the Olokun deity.

“We are returning this artefact to the Oba because this is its place of origin. It has travelled around the world, and we are happy to return it,” she said.

Receiving the object, Oba Ewuare II reflected on the history between the Benin Kingdom and Portugal. He recalled that his forebears had considered embracing the Catholic faith introduced by the Portuguese in the 15th century, but that the people held firmly to their traditional worship.

The monarch said the Benin people have their own spiritual channel of communication with God.

“We have a very unique link with the Portuguese. When I was told that the Portuguese Ambassador was around, it was like telepathy, because I had been thinking already about Portugal,” he said.

Oba Ewuare II added that he was surprised to learn that the Vatican recognises African traditional religions.