Gabon has officially reclaimed a valuable collection of cultural artefacts that had been held in Italy for more than 60 years. Described as a moment of pride and historical significance, the return reflects the country’s renewed efforts to reclaim and preserve its heritage.
The returned artefacts – masks, statues, relics, drums, ritual boards and historical books – come from various Gabonese ethnic groups, including the Vili, Punu, Fang, Kota, Mahongwè, Ambété, Kwelé, Teke, Galoa and Nzebi peoples. Many of the objects are sacred and of unknown age and are considered invaluable parts of the country’s cultural identity.
The works were part of the “Art premier du Gabon” collection owned by Françoise Aubrun and Paul Bory, who purchased them while they were living in Gabon in the early 1960s. While Bory’s purchase was legal at the time, the symbolic weight of their return cannot be overstated. The estimated value of the collection today runs into the millions of dollars.
The agreement for the return of the works was signed between the country’s government and private collectors in January 2024. On May 28, the collection was officially accepted back to Gabon at a ceremony held at the National Museum of Art, Ritual and Tradition in Libreville. The event was chaired by government members and cultural leaders, as well as Vice President Dr. Séraphin Moundounga.
“This return is a source of pride that transcends generations,” said Dr. Armande Longo, wife of the Gabonese Minister of Culture. She stressed the importance of reconnecting with the ancestral past and passing on this heritage to future generations.
Among the items that stand out is the tsogho horn, traditionally used to announce ceremonies and call meetings, symbolizing its integral role in social life.
The return of these artefacts is not only a cultural victory, but part of a broader African movement to reclaim plundered heritage and restore the continent’s historical honour.