The fate of the famous Benin bronzes, such as this one from a collection in the Ethnological Museum in Berlin, has triggered a heated debate. (Photo: AFP)
BERLIN: In a move that many hailed as a salve for the historic wounds between Europe and Africa, Germany last December returned 22 artefacts, looted during the colonial era, to what is now Nigeria.
But five months on, questions are being asked in Germany as to whether cultural guardians were wise to hand back the priceless treasures, known as the Benin bronzes.
Controversy erupted after Nigeria’s outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, suddenly declared in March that the artefacts would be returned to a traditional ruler — and not to the Nigerian state, as…
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