Benin Monarch receives rare fish artefact from Netherlands

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has received another stolen artefact from the Kingdom of the Netherlands as a gift to mark his 10-year coronation anniversary.

The historic 18th-century fish artefact had been held in Europe since being looted from the Benin Kingdom during the British military invasion 129 years ago in 1897.

Executive Director of Musuem de Fundatie Netherlands, Beatrice Von Bormann, presented the artefact in the presence of the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Paulo Martins Santos.

Bormann said she was happy to return the object that has been in the museum since 1937.

Bormann said investigation traced production of the artefact to the 18th century, saying the artefact has travelled round the world.

She said it symbolised reincarnation and the olokun deity.

Receiving the artefact, Oba Ewuare II recalled how his forebears wanted to accept the Catholic faith as introduced by the Portuguese in the 15th century but that the people stood firmly by their traditional worship.

Oba Ewuare II said the Benins have their spiritual portal to ascend communication to God.

"We have a very unique link with the Portuguese. When I was told that the Portuguese Ambassador was around, it was like telepathy, because I had been thinking already about Portugal," Oba Ewuare II said.

The Benin monarch said he was surprised to learn that the Vatican recognised African traditional religions.