The return and re-erection of the looted Aksum Obelisk marks a milestone of great significance not only for Ethiopian history, but also as an inspiration for increased momentum across Africa for the restitution of looted heritage items. This week’s ‘Corner reflects on how the return of the Aksum Obelisk is galvanizing African nations, including Nigeria and Kenya…
The ancient Aksum obelisk, looted on the personal orders of the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and unveiled in Rome in 1937 as part of the fifteenth anniversary celebrations of his seizure of power in Italy – his so-called March on Rome of 1922 – is now at last re-erected in Ethiopia.
The profile of Aksum, Ethiopia’s ancient capital and the historic centre of Ethiopian Christianity, has been irrevocably changed. Hitherto its international profile was that of a single standing obelisk – it now has two. They stand proudly together – as the people of ancient Aksum wished.
The great, newly re-erected, obelisk is the largest – and heaviest, piece of loot ever seized – and returned. Visitors to Aksum can now see a remarkable, carved block of stone which was not only transported almost five kilometres in ancient times from the excavation site to the city of Aksum, but which in modern times was transported a far greater distance – from Africa to Europe by steamer – and then returned from Europe to Africa by air. What would Mussolini say?
It was a remarkable sight, when the last piece of the obelisk was finally flown back to Aksum, to see a tiny black speck in the sky, above the airport. That speck circled us, and became larger and larger – until we saw it as an Antonov – the largest ‘plane in the world. The door in its nose opened, after which the great block of stone slowly slid on rails to an awaiting truck. Full marks to the Italians who finally returned the obelisk so efficiently!
So, many doubters who argued over the last ten years that it was technically or otherwise “impossible” to return the obelisk have been proved wrong. We have dramatic evidence of the meaning of the word “impossible”: It is always very easy to steal something – but “difficult” to return it. Looking down on the puny doubters from its great height of twenty-four metres, the obelisk, if it were human, could afford to smile.
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An African Dimension
The return – and re-erection – of the obelisk will be recognised as an important chapter in the history of both Ethiopia and Italy. It has, however, also an African dimension to which we will now turn.
The diplomatic initiative for the return of the Aksum obelisk was first launched, I would recall, by the Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Chief Segun, who at the same time raised the question of the return of the Benin bronzes looted from his own country, and now in Britain.
His initiative was a turning point in the Aksum restitution struggle.
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A Growing Belief in Africa
There is over the world – and particularly in Africa – a growing belief which may be summarised in the following propositions:
1.The people of any country or nation are entitled to see – and possess – the artistic treasures made by their ancestors – the younger generation should be able to relate to the artistic and other creations of their forebears.
2.That antiquities, if appropriated by force, represent an act of loot, and should be returned, just like items stolen within a country have by law to be returned to their legitimate owners.
3.That conditions in the modern world are such that antiquities can be preserved in any part of the world – they don’t have to be stored in Europe, or any so-called “mother country”.
There is moreover a feeling in many parts of the now independent African continent that countries which in the past fought for their independence should now struggle for the cultural heritage of which they were deprived while under colonial rule. The fight for political independence, it is held, should be followed by the struggle for cultural integrity
The future, it is argued, should witness ever increasing cultural co-operation in which countries lend their treasures for exhibition on the basis of mutual co-operation rather than an imperial – or colonial-style display of mountains of acquisitions taken from foreign lands by force; the display, in a sense, of an Aladdin’s cave of ill-gotten loot.
The above three propositions apply to the Aksum obelisk (and the loot taken from Maqdala by the Napier Expedition of 1867-8), just as, the good Nigerian ambassador insisted, to the Benin bronzes taken from his own beloved country: why shouldn’t they be returned anyway.
Which makes recent developments in Kenya of no little interest.
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“These are Crucial Aspects of our Heritage” – President Mwai Kibaki
The Kenya Government, we now learn, is currently demanding the return of over two thousand historical artifacts currently held in the British Museum, in London as well as a larger number in other parts of the world. Kenya claims that these articles were acquired during the colonial period when the country was not free. The large list of items requested include skulls, skins of lions of historical interest, spears and fossils. At least three of the spears – made of wood – were used by Kenya Patriots in the Independence Struggle: a struggle fought after all with spear against machine guns.
Dr. Omar Farah, Director of Kenya Museums, has reportedly instructed his staff to draw up a comprehensive list of the many articles which Kenya wants repatriated. Emphasizing that the Kenya Government’s approach to cultural restoration is essentially moderate, he declares: “We want people in Britain to see Kenya artifacts in their own museums – but the most important artifacts must come home”.
President Mwai Kibaki, of Kenya, has given this move his full support. Explaining the issue in characteristically forceful terms, he is quoted as saying: “These are crucial aspects of our history and cultural heritage, and every effort must be made to get them back”.
(Originally published in Capital newspaper)
Richard Pankhurst 
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