Masks and Sculptures: The Repatriation of Stolen African Art: A Multi-Dimensional Process

Abstract

The kidnapping of thousands of pieces of African art has been well documented and studied. There has been, over the years, a growing call, especially on the part of a few African countries, for the return of the stolen pieces to their rightful owners. The full implications of the loss of so many masks and sculptures for Africa has hardly been entertained, nor have there been sound recommendations for the conditions under which stolen artifacts should be returned and cared for in Africa. This essay seeks to remedy this void by addressing the following research questions and propose the idea of “Cultural Rehabilitation Centers” as a viable solution: 

1. Why should African artifacts move back to Africa?  
2. If returned, how should they be cared for? 

From a methodological standpoint, this essay utilizes the Afrocentric Paradigm to ensure cultural grounding, as well as to bring a sense of agency to the reader. The research conducted for this study relies on a qualitative analysis of three primary sources of information, digital, visual, and written.