The Repatriation of African Cultural Artifacts: Why It Matters for Africa

For decades, African cultural artifacts have been scattered across museums and private collections around the world, primarily in European countries. These objects—some of which are centuries old—are much more than mere relics; they are living testimonies of Africa’s rich history, spirituality, and cultural identity. The case of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, a once-thriving empire in Uganda, serves as a compelling example of why repatriating Africa’s cultural treasures is not just a matter of reclaiming forcefully taken / stolen goods, but of restoring pride, history, and a sense of identity to communities.

As Africa continues to confront the legacies of colonialism, the repatriation of cultural artifacts has become a central issue in the broader discussion of justice and cultural restitution. It’s not just a political or economic issue—it’s deeply personal for many African communities whose histories and identities were forcibly and rudely disrupted during colonization.

The Case for Repatriation: A Moral Imperative

The demand for the return of African cultural artifacts is grounded in a fundamental principle of justice: that property which was forcefully taken / stolen should be returned to its rightful owner. But this is about much more than ownership. For the people of Bunyoro, the royal artifacts taken by British colonial forces—items like sacred regalia, a royal throne, royal drums, and ceremonial objects—are not mere antiques or museum pieces. These objects are central to the spiritual and cultural fabric of the Kingdom.

For centuries, these treasures have been on display in British museums, removed from their context and stripped of their intrinsic significance. To return them is to restore a vital part of the cultural and spiritual identity of the Bunyoro people. It is a recognition of the importance of cultural heritage in the African identity, which was disrupted and has long been undermined by former colonial forces.

The Spiritual and Cultural Value of Repatriated Artifacts

African artifacts, particularly those with religious, spiritual, or royal significance, are not just historical objects; they are living symbols of ancestral wisdom, cultural continuity, and identity. These items often hold immense intangible value—what can be called their “spiritual capital.” For many African communities, the return of these artifacts would be an act of cultural healing, a way of reconnecting with their ancestors and reaffirming their place in the world.

Take, for example, the royal regalia of Bunyoro-Kitara. These items were not just ceremonial objects but were seen as the heartbeat of the Kingdom, representing the continuity of royal power and spiritual authority. The regalia was central to the Kingdom’s cultural rituals and ceremonies, and their removal by colonial forces in the 19th century had a lasting emotional and cultural impact on the Banyoro people. Their return would not only reclaim the Kingdom’s history but would also restore critical spiritual and ceremonial practices that have long been interrupted for generations.

The 8-legged Bunyoro-Kitara Royal throne stool (Nyamyaro), among other items on display at Pitt Rivers Museum in the UK.

These artifacts, which may seem like mere objects of material value to some, hold profound cultural and spiritual meaning. Their repatriation would allow the people of Bunyoro, and other African communities, to re-engage with their cultural practices and traditions. The spiritual connection to these items is inseparable from the history they carry, and returning them would allow African communities to heal historical wounds inflicted by colonial exploitation.

Tourism and Economic Value for Local Communities

Beyond their cultural and spiritual significance, the repatriation of African artifacts also offers a unique opportunity for economic development, particularly in the realm of tourism. African nations, and cultural institutions, stand to benefit significantly from the return of their cultural treasures.

Museums and heritage sites showcasing repatriated artifacts can become major tourist attractions, drawing visitors from around the world who are eager to learn about the rich history of Africa and its people, not only restoring cultural pride but also creating cultural tourism hubs for both local and international tourists who seek to see these artifacts in their original context, experiencing history, culture, and spirituality firsthand. This can lead to job creation, increased local revenue, and the preservation of cultural traditions.

For the Kingdom of Bunyoro, this is not just about recovering lost treasures; it’s about using the artifacts as a tool for economic revitalization from great losses inflicted by colonialism, whose impact persists todate. By establishing local museums, cultural centers, and heritage trails around these repatriated artifacts, Bunyoro-Kitara could boost its tourism sector, attracting visitors interested in learning about the rich history of the Kingdom, its people and culture for value.

What African Governments Need to Do to Enhance the Voice on Reparations and the Return of Artifacts

While the demand for the repatriation of African artifacts has gained significant momentum, the role of African governments in pushing for these reparations remains crucial. Governments across the continent must unite in a collective, forceful call for the return of their forcefully taken / stolen heritage. This requires active diplomatic engagement, building international support, and asserting African nations’ rights to their cultural property.

Governments should also create and strengthen legal frameworks to protect and preserve their cultural heritage. By passing legislation that enforces the protection of cultural property, African nations can demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding their own history and cultural identity.

Furthermore, African governments must invest in the education and training of heritage professionals, museum curators, and conservators who are capable of ensuring that repatriated artifacts are preserved and exhibited in ways that respect their cultural and spiritual significance. The infrastructure to care for these objects must be in place before they can be returned, ensuring that they are properly protected for future generations.

Diplomatic and economic pressure, in partnership with international organizations, can compel Western museums and institutions to acknowledge the moral and legal case for repatriation. But this effort must be led by African governments, working in unity to reclaim their cultural heritage.

The Role of Community Museums in Preserving Cultural Heritage

The return of cultural artifacts is not just about bringing them back home; it’s also about how they are cared for and presented in the communities they belong to. This is where the role of community museums becomes critical.

Community museums are essential in preserving the heritage of local populations and ensuring that repatriated artifacts are accessible to the communities from which they originated. These museums serve as a bridge between the past and the present, offering a space where cultural traditions, histories, and stories can be shared with future generations. They are not just repositories of artifacts, but active spaces of cultural engagement and education.

By establishing community-run museums and cultural centers, African nations can create a sustainable model for the preservation and celebration of their heritage. These museums can also act as platforms for educating local communities about their own history, giving them a sense of ownership over their cultural assets.

The return of repatriated artifacts to these community spaces ensures that they are kept in their cultural context, allowing local people to interact with them in meaningful ways. Moreover, these museums can play an essential role in generating local interest in culture and heritage, providing educational programs, workshops, and exhibitions that engage visitors and inspire future generations.

The Repatriation Debate: Moving Forward

While the ethical and cultural case for repatriation is clear, the practical challenges remain. Museums in Europe and other parts of the world have often cited legal ownership or the preservation of artifacts as reasons for their reluctance to return these items. Some argue that returning artifacts would set a precedent for other repatriations that could prove difficult to manage. However, as African nations demonstrate their capacity to care for and preserve their heritage, these arguments are becoming less convincing.

In recent years, countries like France and Germany have made significant strides toward returning looted artifacts to their former colonies, acknowledging the importance of righting historical wrongs. The British Museum, which houses a large number of African artifacts, has faced increasing pressure to repatriate items such as the Benin Bronzes, the Elgin Marbles, and cultural artifacts from Bunyoro-Kitara.

The return of these cultural treasures is not just a matter of reclaiming material wealth; it is a process of restoring dignity, identity, and cultural pride. For the people of Bunyoro-Kitara, the return of their royal artifacts would signify a broader movement toward restoring African history, one that acknowledges the injustices of the past and sets the stage for a more equitable cultural future, offering a rightful opportunity for African people to reconnect with the past, reclaim lost identities, and build a future that acknowledges the full richness of African history, art, and symbols of their early civilization.

As African nations continue to call for the return of their cultural treasures, it is time for the world to recognize the intrinsic value of these artifacts—not only as historical objects, but as living pieces of Africa’s soul that belong to the people who created them.

Article by Dr. James Isagara Kisoro, Executive Director – Kabalega Foundation