[CPProt.net] Should Africa reclaim its stolen treasures?

Sat May 14 06:18:08 CEST 2005

Should Africa reclaim its stolen treasures? 
Ethiopia successfully fought for the return of one of its national religious
treasure, the Axum Obelisk. 

The 1,700-year old stone obelisk looted by Italy nearly 70 years ago arrived
in Addis Ababa last month to a rapturous welcome. 

Thousands of people lined the streets to see what they consider an important
symbol of their identity restored to them. 

Two years ago a German museum handed back to Zimbabwe a soapstone carved
bird after 100 years. 

The Zimbabwe bird is an emblem of the country, appearing on the national
flag and currency. 

The Ethiopian Obelisk and the Zimbabwe bird are just two of the many
traditional and sacred objects that vanished from Africa and ended up in
museums, learning institutions or private homes abroad during the colonial
era. 

The BBC's Africa Live asks: How important are historic artefacts to your
sense of identity? 

What should your government do to reclaim your country's lost treasures? 

Or should we stop dwelling on the past and concentrate on sorting out the
problems of the present? 

Send us your comments using the form on the right - a selection of which
will be published below. 

And you can join the debate on the BBC Africa Live on Wednesday 18 May at
1630GMT and 1830GMT. 

 "The British Museum has mummies from Egypt. Are they going back?" 
Kiwanuka Nsereko, Ugandan in USA  

To think of the future without looking at the past is treating the symptom
and ignoring the cause. The question that is tough to answer is what can be
returned? Are the Diamonds in the royal crown in Brussels from the Congo?
Were they paid for or robbed? How do we get back the slaves, our people? The
British Museum has mummies from Egypt. Are they going back? This is not a
cut and dry question and answer situation! Forgive Africa all its debts and
we will forget all the past and have a new slate. Kiwanuka Nsereko 
Kiwanuka Nsereko, Ugandan in USA 

"Yes, I believe that African countries deserve the right to get their stolen
treasures back. These treasures were STOLEN, and the last time I checked
stealing is a criminal act, so European countries need to do the right thing
and return the stolen artifacts to all African countries. Furthermore,
African governments need to pursue avenues to reclaim their stolen
treasures." 
Boma , USA 

"More than physical treasures have been stolen. Our history has been
vandalised, stolen and re-imaged. So why bother to cry about lesser things?"

Joseph Opigo, Nigeria 

 "Every government should set up a committee of experts to trace all
historic artifacts." 
Omorodion Osula, USA  

Historic artifacts are a very important part of culture and identity of a
particular group. The Edo people in Nigeria are well known for Bronze
casting and carving. Generations will grow up to appreciate and learn about
the significance of these artifacts. Every government should set up a
committee of experts to trace all historic artifacts and ensure that they
are returned to their country of origin. The past is very important. That is
why we study history as a subject. The past is not a hindrance to solving
present day issues. 
Omorodion Osula, USA 

Africa itself is not immune from this ugly stigma of looting. Ethiopia
reclaiming its looted treasure from its former coloniser Italy is good
enough, but Ethiopia has also to allow Eritrea reclaim its historical
artefacts that are now on display in the national museum in Addis Ababa.
Otherwise, it's a case of a kettle calling the pot black! 
Yohannes, Eritrea 

Yes, of course, all African nations should get their national treasures
back. Then they may do what all other countries do, rent them out to other
countries' national museums to make a few bucks for their own economy, to
raise awareness of their culture and their country. 
Marie, US 

Most of these historic artefacts were looted during colonisation or foreign
occupation as was the case in Ethiopia. They have deeper meaning in their
homeland than where they are and therefore should return where they belong. 
Ethiopia 

"A treasure is a country's legacy; a great reminder of the past; could be
used as a great unifying factor for the present. The African past is part
and parcel of the present; every stolen treasure should be returned to its
rightful owners where they belong. It is a stolen legacy and I think justice
has to be done accordingly." 
Dawit Yehualashet Goshen, USA. 

Did you see the Axum Obelisk in Rome? For once it was situated in the middle
of a busy street and had not any historical caption or information under it.
For somebody without the slightest knowledge, they might deduce the Italians
built it themselves! 
Italy 

 "We are spiritually anchored to most of these artefacts. Without them we
feel incomplete." 
Abisha Mapendembe, Zimbabwean in UK  

Historical artefacts are crucial to our sense of identity as Africans. We
are spiritually anchored to most of these artefacts. Without them we feel
incomplete. Moreover, the fact that these historic artefacts were stolen
from Africa means they need to be returned to their rightful owners. As
Africans we need our historic artefacts back while at the same time trying
to find solutions to curb our number one enemy: Poverty. 
Abisha Mapendembe, Zimbabwean in UK 

"Present African problems have nothing to do with stolen historical
artifacts. Why would you mix the two in the first place? No doubt that
Africa needs to do a lot more to solve the challenges it finds itself
entangled with right now, but the issue here is to return what has been
stolen from you in the first place!" 
Helen, Italy 

To be frank, any third world government can do little by itself. We need
support from countries like UK & Italy. As the present Italian government
handles the return of Axum, we need the same from the UK. 
Mulugeta E. Ethiopia 

 "By the way who foots the cost transporting back these artifacts?" 
Joseph Riwongole , Kapenguria, Kenya  

There is no doubt on the importance of these historic artifacts to its
people. They show us the skills and techniques that our forefathers had
developed. Our governments should therefore make the necessary arrangements
to see to it that whatever was stolen from the continent be returned to
their respective countries. By the way who foots the cost transporting back
these artifacts? 
Joseph Riwongole , Kapenguria, Kenya 

To some extent, taking an artifact from a nation and putting it in another's
museum is not much different than breaking into someone's home, stealing a
family picture and putting it in your home for display. Quite frankly it
does not belong to you and it really does not mean anything to you. 
Bazin Makonnen, USA 

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/4544803.stm