Germany returns artifacts taken from 3 African nations

BERLIN –

German officials saidMonday will see the permanent return to Africa of many priceless artifacts seized from African nations during colonial periods.

The artifacts include a shell-studded statue depicting Ngonnso, the mother goddess of Ngonnso, which is of great spiritual significance to the Nso’ people in northwest Cameroon, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation said.

The statue is part of Berlin’s Ethnological Museum collection since 1903 when it was “donated by a German colonial officer who took it from the Nso” by force.

The foundation saidIts board recommended that the statue is returned after lengthy discussions between museum representatives from Cameroon and Cameroon.

The board also approved the permanent transfer of 23 artifacts to Namibia, including jewelry, tools, and fashion items. These objects, which were also stolen during colonial times (1884-1899) to 1919 (1919), were sent to Namibia last month to research purposes. They will now be there.

The foundation saidThe board also authorized its president to sign an agreement regarding the return of objects Germany took from Tanzania during the Maji Maji Rebellion or other conflicts under colonial rule in the early 20th century.