Toespraak minister Bruins tijdens de teruggave van koloniale objecten aan de Federale Republiek Nigeria
Minister Bruins (OCW) sprak op woensdag 19 februari 2025 in het Wereldmuseum in Leiden tijdens de teruggave van koloniale objecten aan de Federale Republiek Nigeria. Deze toespraak is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.
Minister Bruins (OCW) spoke on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden during the return of colonial objects to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This speech is only available in English.
Het gesproken woord geldt.
Good afternoon everyone,
I would like to extend a special and warm welcome to our esteemed guests from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you for being here today at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. I would also like to express my gratitude to Marieke van Bommel and Wayne Modest for graciously hosting us.
Which brings me to the reason why we are here today. 4 of those reasons stand before us. 4 artifacts that once could be found in the Kingdom of Benin.
These artifacts, along with countless others, were brutally taken from their home in 1897 during a British raid. The palace of the Oba, the leader of the Kingdom of Benin, as well as that of the Iyoba – the queen mother – and the residences of other high-ranking individuals, were looted.
Historian Barnaby Phillips, writer of the book ‘Loot. Britain and the Benin Bronzes’, describes it as, and I quote: ‘The British did not bother to record how many pieces they took, where they found them within the palace, which pieces belonged to which altar, or the relative position of shrines or altars. It was a moment of vandalism, a rupturing of tradition and knowledge.’ End quote.
The British sold plaques, sculptures and other works of arts to interested parties. At the time, there was a booming market for exotic artifacts, so many of the stolen objects were sold through trading houses and at auctions to collectors who were not entirely unaware of how these objects had ended up in Western countries.
By taking these artifacts, the people of present-day Nigeria are deprived of part of their history, customs, and sense of identity. The tangible heritage of the so-called Benin Bronzes is of immeasurable value to the Nigerian people. It forms an important part of their culture.
And what are we without our culture? It defines who we are as a people, as a community.
Moreover, it is only by understanding where we come from that we can shape our future together. Therefore, it is essential to be able to reflect on our own history and heritage. It is vital to view artifacts up close, and to grasp the story of our ancestors.
Sadly, the story of the Benin Bronzes has been scattered across Europe and beyond. One look at the website Digital Benin, shows that 137 institutions in 20 countries currently hold historical Benin objects in their collections. Thanks to this website, a collaborative effort of Nigerian representatives and European museums such as the Wereldmuseum, these artifacts are digitally accessible to a wide audience.
And slowly but surely, artifacts are also physically returning home, thanks to relentless Nigerian efforts. Governments, museums, universities and other institutions are starting to recognize that these artifacts do not rightfully belong to them. I believe Nigerian writer and Noble Prize winner Wole Soyinka phrased it fittingly, and I quote: ‘One has to confront history honestly.’
And I firmly stand behind this statement.
We need to reflect on the past, recognize the part our ancestors played in that history and subsequently have the determination to right our wrongs. This may sometimes take personal or political courage, but it is necessary to confront history honestly.
Dear guests,
With that level of determination, I stand before you today. The Dutch government is committed to addressing the historical injustices of its colonial past. We have made some significant steps in this regard, such as the apologies in 2022 by Prime Minister Rutte for the Dutch government’s role in slavery and the slave trade. Followed by the first restitution of objects to Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Based on the acknowledgement that taking objects during the colonial period, against the will of local people, is a historical injustice.
Wherever possible, we must correct what is wrong.
After reading the report of the independent Colonial Collections Committee, which advises the Dutch government on restitution requests, there is only one conclusion: we must redress the injustice regarding the Benin Bronzes.
In doing so, I would like to thank the Committee and its chair Mrs. Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You for the recommendation. And I would also like to extend my gratitude to our Nigerian partners at NCMM for the trust in this process, as well as for the open dialogue and constructive collaboration.
Lastly, I would like to thank the researchers at the Wereldmuseum, who conducted an in-depth analysis of how artifacts from Benin were acquired for the Dutch collection, which formed the basis for the committee’s recommendation. The researchers confirmed that the Dutch parties who purchased the objects knew these had been looted during the raid on the Benin Kingdom. Even though the Dutch government was not responsible for the invasion of Benin, it is currently in possession of these artifacts and, as such, holds the responsibility to do the right thing.
Therefore, I have decided to return 113 objects from the Dutch State Collection to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am pleased that alderman Kasmi of the city of Rotterdam joins me today and will be returning additional objects. I call on other governments and institutions across Europe to draw inspiration from our example.
Because everyone deserves to know their history, to experience their cultural heritage up close and, in the process, learn more about themselves. That is why I am both humbled and gratified that these artifacts will be returning to where they truly belong: home.
Thank you.
And now, it is my great honor to give the floor to the director-general of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway.