Does Africa have hope of recovering its 'stolen' history from the West?

While the UK defends its decision by citing laws that govern the preservation of such items in its possession, the question of how much of Africa’s history is scattered and how this can be restored has arisen.

Looted items and ‘stolen history’

Many African countries in Africa lost treasured artefacts unique to them to colonial powers including Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal among others. These items included gold mouldings, brass, ivory, and wooden materials.

Religious artefacts, crosses, manuscripts and other treasures were also stolen by these countries who lorded over their colonies in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Many of these items remain in the possession of these countries while others like France, Germany and Berlin make efforts to return some of these artefacts.

In addition, many Africans were taken away as slaves by these colonisers. Many years on, they have remained as citizens of these countries while tracing their origins. While some make efforts to trace their home and history, others remain lost and unaware of their backgrounds and the stories of their forefathers.

Efforts to revive history

In many places including Ghana and the United States, efforts have been made to establish events that portray African history and culture. In Ghana, for instance, the Year of Return initiative was established in 2019 to start a campaign to encourage descendants of enslaved Africans to reconnect with their forebarers.

Respective countries also celebrate their Independence Day to mark their liberation from colonialism.

The establishment of museums and exhibition halls in the respective African countries also helps share the history of Africa from different perspectives and extends this history to foreigners who may visit.

Black History Month in America also is annually celebrated in February to highlight the achievements of African Americans and their contributions to the growth of the U.S.

History stuck in Europe

While the continent is striving to promote its history from what’s left of it, there is no doubt that a large part of African history still remains stuck in Europe. According to Historian and African writer, Boni N'Piénikoua Teiga, archives of the two key periods of slavery and colonisation still remain with many former colonial powers. For him, this remains because of the inability of these African countries to claim what belongs to them.

“I find it absolutely absurd that our States, most of which have been independent for at least fifty years, do not still claim to this day some of their Archives and among them the keys to learning, understanding and teaching History, as it has been. passed to future generations,” he told GSW.

Is there a way forward?

N'Piénikoua Teiga believes there needs to be an intentional effort by African leaders to reclaim their history in order to project their countries into the future and avoid the misinterpretation of history by others who own these artefacts.

Among other things, he believes artefacts need to be returned to respective African countries with compensation.

“There is neither reason nor justification for former colonizing countries to continue to keep goods and other artefacts that do not belong to them, and what is worse is that most of them were stolen. This is a normal return. And they should even be accompanied by compensation,” he said.

He also believes there needs to be the creation of a sub-Saharan Union outside of the African Union that can dialogue about the growth and development of Black African countries.

“I take this opportunity to once again call on our heads of state and government for a Union of Black African countries beyond their membership in the African Union. The salvation of Black Africa and its struggles for its people is at this price. I will tell you the truth, in any case, it is my opinion, and I keep saying it: as long as the Countries of Black Africa do not have a Union, League, or Community - it does not matter how they do it - they will never succeed in this fight,” Teiga added.

The Benin-based African writer suggests that African countries need to bring together their national researchers and external skills to write ancient history and correct history that has been misinterpreted or distorted with errors.

“Our African governments must invest in research and teaching of History. Many think that it is not the most important thing even though it is essential like the air we breathe to know our History,” he noted.

There is also the need for an official Black History event that will be marked on the entire African continent on an annual basis, according to Teiga.

“There is already a very great BLACK HISTORY MONTH initiative which comes to us from black people in the United States. Something must be made official in all the countries of Black Africa at least,” he added.