Finland has returned a historic royal stool to Benin, marking a significant step in the broader campaign to restore West Africa’s looted cultural heritage. The artefact, known as a katakle, was officially handed over during a ceremony in the Beninese city of Cotonou on Tuesday.
The three-legged stool, dating back to the 17th-century Kingdom of Dahomey, was looted by French colonial forces in 1892 during an attack on the royal palace. It had later found its way into the collection of Finland’s National Museum after being separated from a set of artefacts transferred to France.
Benin’s Minister of Culture, Jean-Michel Herve Abimbola, described the return as a pivotal moment in ongoing restitution efforts. “This marks the conclusion of one chapter, and we now look forward to more returns and exchanges in the future,” he told attendees.
According to the National Museum of Finland, the katakle functioned as a portable ceremonial throne symbolising authority and stability, distinct from the larger throne reserved for the king.
In 2018, France pledged to return 26 artefacts looted from the Kingdom of Dahomey, fulfilling that promise in 2021. However, one of the royal stools had been separated from the rest and later ended up in Finnish possession.
Finnish Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie said the return of the stool reflected a new era in cultural responsibility. “This process exemplifies the impact of a modern and just cultural policy,” she noted.
For years, Western institutions have resisted calls to repatriate artefacts, often citing concerns over preservation. But the return of the katakle adds to growing momentum in favor of cultural restitution.
Benin continues to seek the return of thousands of cultural objects looted during colonial rule, part of a broader movement across Africa to reclaim stolen heritage from European museums.