Cultural artifacts returned to Namibia
The Namibian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) and the Ethnological Museum in Berlin have agreed on the permanent return of looted cultural assets.These artefacts, originally taken to Germany in the 19th century, were returned on loan in May 2022 and will now be permanently returned to their rightful owners.
Senior Curator of the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN), Golda Ha-Eiros, explained the significance of this return.
"The return of cultural assets to Namibia is of great symbolic and practical importance and contributes to promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion and collective memory in Namibian society," she said.
The selection process for the returned artefacts was very careful and was guided by criteria established by the Confronting Colonial Pasts, Envisioning Creative Futures Committee. This committee, made up of experts and stakeholders, considered factors such as rarity, gender, demographics, craftsmanship, uniqueness and the year of collection. In addition, Golda highlighted other criteria for selection, emphasizing the importance of conservation status, historical significance and cultural background.
The artefacts returned span a wide range, including household items, clothing and ceremonial items. Each piece selected not only represents a tangible connection to Namibia's past but is also a testament to the resilience and creativity of its people. Additionally, priority has been given to artefacts that are rare or no longer in circulation to ensure future generations have access to these invaluable cultural treasures.