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, particularly in European countries. These objects—some of which date back centuries—are much more than mere relics; they are living testimonies to Africa’s rich history, spirituality, and cultural identity. The case of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, a once-thriving empire in Uganda, exemplifies the deep, multifaceted reasons why repatriating Africa’s cultural treasures is not only about recovering stolen goods, but also about restoring pride, history, and a sense of identity to communities.

The Case for Repatriation: A Moral and Cultural Imperative

The demand for the return of African cultural artifacts is grounded in justice and cultural restitution. These treasures, forcefully taken by colonial powers, represent a legacy of exploitation, erasure, and disruption. For the people of Bunyoro, the royal artifacts taken by British colonial forces—items such as sacred regalia, royal thrones, royal drums, and ceremonial objects—hold immense cultural and spiritual value. They are far more than historical items; they are the heartbeat of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, key to the continuity of their spiritual and cultural practices.

According to the International Council of Museums, there are over 90,000 African artifacts housed in institutions across Europe alone, many of them taken during colonial times. The repatriation of these items is more than a legal issue—it is an urgent moral matter. The return of these cultural treasures would allow African communities to reconnect with their ancestors and restore their cultural narratives, long interrupted by colonial forces.

The Spiritual and Cultural Significance of Repatriated Artifacts

African artifacts, especially those with religious, spiritual, or royal significance, are not merely historical objects; they are vital symbols of ancestral wisdom and identity. For many African communities, the return of these items would be a powerful act of healing, helping to restore lost connections to their heritage.

Take, for example, the royal regalia of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. These items were seen as the physical embodiment of royal power and spiritual authority. The removal of these regalia by colonial powers in the 19th century disrupted centuries of tradition, causing a deep cultural wound. Their return would not just be about reclaiming the Kingdom’s history—it would represent a profound restoration of cultural and spiritual practices that have been disrupted for generations.

The 8-legged Bunyoro-Kitara Royal throne stool (Nyamyaro), among other artifacts displayed at the Pitt Rivers Museum in the UK, are emblematic of this loss. These items carry spiritual and cultural weight that goes far beyond their material value, representing the ongoing relationship between the living and the ancestors.

Economic Potential and Tourism Opportunities

Beyond their cultural and spiritual significance, repatriated African artifacts offer immense potential for economic development, particularly in tourism. African nations, and cultural institutions, stand to gain both culturally and economically from the return of these treasures.

Repatriated artifacts can transform museums and heritage sites into significant tourist attractions, generating local revenue and creating jobs. The Kingdom of Bunyoro, for example, could benefit from cultural tourism by establishing museums, cultural centers, and heritage trails around these returned artifacts. According to UNESCO, cultural tourism accounts for 40% of global tourism, and Africa has the potential to tap into this growing sector by creating engaging spaces where visitors can learn about the rich history and traditions of African kingdoms like Bunyoro-Kitara.

Incorporating cultural and spiritual practices alongside tourism will not only attract international tourists but also foster pride and empowerment within local communities. In turn, this can stimulate local economies and create a sustainable model for preserving and celebrating African heritage.

African Governments: Advocating for Cultural Restitution

African governments have a crucial role in driving the repatriation movement. A unified, strategic approach is necessary to ensure that stolen cultural property is returned to its rightful owners. Governments should pursue active diplomatic efforts, build international alliances, and assert their legal and moral rights to reclaim their heritage.

The African Union (AU), for example, has increasingly supported calls for the return of cultural artifacts, aligning itself with global efforts to address historical injustices. African countries must also enhance their legal frameworks to protect cultural heritage, ensuring that repatriated artifacts are preserved and respected.

Governments should invest in building the capacity of local institutions—such as heritage professionals, museum curators, and conservators—who are equipped to care for and properly exhibit these returned artifacts. The infrastructure must be in place to ensure that these items are properly protected for future generations.

CHOGM 2024: A Reflection on Africa’s Cultural and Global Diplomacy

The 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) took place in Apia, Samoa, from October 21–26, 2024. During the summit, 56 heads of government, including many from African nations, discussed a variety of global issues, including reparatory justice. In a historic document signed by these leaders, there was a strong acknowledgment of the need for “discussions on reparatory justice” regarding the “abhorrent” crimes committed during slavery and colonialism. The commitment to these discussions signaled a growing global recognition of the long-lasting impact of these injustices.

This momentous step underscores the importance of reparations, which can take many forms, from financial compensation to symbolic gestures, including the return of stolen cultural artifacts. It represents a significant shift toward a more just and equitable world, where the legacy of colonial exploitation is addressed in concrete ways. The African call for reparations—both financial and symbolic—continues to gain traction, as African nations seek recognition for the historical wrongs committed against their peoples.

As African nations continue to push for the repatriation of their cultural treasures, the international community must recognize that these artifacts are living pieces of Africa’s soul—an intrinsic part of its history, heritage, and identity. The moment for reparations is now, and as seen through events like CHOGM 2024, the world is increasingly embracing this truth.

A need for Community Museums for Heritage Preservation

Community museums are poised to play a critical role in ensuring that repatriated artifacts are not just returned but preserved and shared within the community. These museums will serve as living institutions that should allow local populations to engage with their own cultural history, ensuring that traditions and knowledge are passed down to future generations.

By empowering local communities to manage and exhibit their own cultural heritage, African nations can create a sustainable model for preserving their identity. Community-run museums also offer opportunities for education, cultural engagement, and the promotion of African history as it is lived and experienced by the people.

The Path Forward: Legal and Ethical Challenges

While the ethical case for repatriation is clear, there are still significant challenges to overcome. European museums often cite legal ownership or preservation concerns as reasons for their reluctance to return artifacts. However, increasing pressure from African governments, as well as international public opinion, is gradually pushing these institutions toward a more responsible approach to cultural restitution.

France and Germany have already taken significant steps in returning looted artifacts to their former colonies, with more than 90,000 objects returned in the past decade. The British Museum, a major holder of African cultural artifacts, has faced growing calls to return items such as the Benin Bronzes, the Elgin Marbles, and royal regalia and cultural artifacts from Bunyoro-Kitara, among many others from African societies. The repatriation of these treasures would not only heal cultural wounds but also serve as a symbol of justice for African nations.

Reconnecting with Africa’s Soul

The repatriation of African cultural artifacts is about far more than material objects; it is about restoring dignity, pride, and identity. For the people of Bunyoro-Kitara and other African communities, the return of these royal artifacts would be an important step toward healing the wounds left by colonialism. It would also mark the beginning of a broader movement to restore Africa’s history, acknowledging past injustices and paving the way for a future where African identity and cultural heritage are celebrated on the global stage.

As African nations continue to call for the return of their cultural treasures, the international community must 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. The historic discussions on reparations, including those held at CHOGM 2024, demonstrate that the world is slowly moving toward a more just recognition of Africa’s rightful place in the world’s history and heritage.

By the Executive Director of Kabalega Foundation.