In a landmark act of cultural restitution, Switzerland on Wednesday voluntarily returned three sacred artefacts to South Africa’s Nkuna royal family, coinciding with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to the country.
The handover ceremony, held in the Swiss city of Neuchâtel, marked the culmination of years of dialogue between the Ethnographic Museum of Neuchâtel (MEN), the Nkuna family and South African cultural authorities.
The artefacts – a carved wooden stick, a divination basket and a bovine astragalus amulet – date back to the 19th century and were originally used in spiritual and ritual ceremonies by the Nkuna royal lineage in Limpopo.
“More than pieces in a museum, these objects carry the memory of generations and the identity of a people,” Ramaphosa said during the ceremony.
“This act of repatriation speaks to our shared belief that dialogue can heal what conflict has broken, and that the dignity of every human being transcends borders and time.”
“This act of repatriation speaks to who we are – both Switzerland and South Africa. It speaks to our shared belief that dialogue can heal what conflict has broken and that the dignity of every human being transcends borders and time.”
The items were collected in South Africa by Swiss missionary Henri-Alexandre Junod between 1889 and 1921.
Historical records indicate Junod acquired them directly from the Nkuna family and expressed deep respect for their cultural traditions.
Representatives of the Nkuna family joined President Ramaphosa, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and museum director Aurélie Carré for the formal presentation.
JN/APA