In a significant act of cultural restitution, Switzerland has voluntarily returned three sacred South African artefacts to the Nkuna royal family. This was during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit.
The handover ceremony in Neuchâtel marks a profound moment in the ongoing mission to restore Africa’s heritage to its rightful custodians.
SOUTH AFRICAN ARTEFACTS RETURN
The Ethnographic Museum of Neuchâtel (MEN) formally presented the items: a carved wooden stick, a divination basket, and a bovine astragalus amulet, according to SA News.
They presented them to representatives of the Nkuna family. These specific South African artefacts hold deep spiritual significance and were used in 19th-century royal rituals in Limpopo.
PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMHOSA PRESIDES
President Cyril Ramaphosa, alongside Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, presided over the event.
Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of the gesture. He stated that the objects carry the memory and identity of a people. He praised the act as a demonstration of how dialogue can heal historical wounds, according to APA News.
RECLAIMING HERITAGE
The journey to reclaim these South African artefacts began in 2016 when descendants of the Nkuna family initiated contact with the Swiss museum.
They described the items as essential to their spiritual heritage. The museum responded positively, viewing the restitution as an opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN ARTEFACTS ORIGINAL OWNER
The original collector, Swiss missionary Henri-Alexandre Junod, acquired the South African artefacts directly from the royal family during his time in the region from 1889 to 1921.
Historical records note his admiration for their culture.
CULTURAL COOPERATION
This voluntary return, supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture, underscores a growing international commitment to ethical cultural cooperation.
The repatriation of these sacred artefacts represents a vital step in reclaiming a heritage fragmented by colonial history.
This historic repatriation completes a profound journey home, restoring a vital spiritual legacy for future generations.
