Kenya's Pokomo People Call for UK to Return Sacred Drum
The Pokomo community of Kenya has intensified their plea for the return of the Ngadji, a sacred drum taken by British colonial officers over a century ago. The Ngadji, a revered cultural artifact, symbolized unity and spiritual significance among the Pokomo people. Its removal during the colonial era left a void in their cultural heritage, and today, it sits in storage at the British Museum in London—a stark reminder of the broader colonial plunder that has stripped many African communities of their history.
The Ngadji is just one among thousands of African artifacts housed in Western museums, with many displayed as exotic relics or hidden in archives. The exact number of such missing objects remains unknown, as colonial records often omitted details about the seized items. This lack of transparency complicates efforts by African nations and communities to trace and recover their cultural treasures.
For the Pokomo people, the return of the Ngadji is not merely about recovering a physical object. It represents a reclamation of their identity, dignity, and spiritual connection. Community elders emphasize the drum's role in significant ceremonies and its power as a unifying force among the Pokomo clans. Its absence has disrupted traditional practices and severed a vital link to their past.
The British Museum, like many other institutions, faces growing pressure to address claims of restitution. Activists and African governments argue that many of these artifacts were acquired under coercive or exploitative circumstances, often during violent colonial conquests. The Ngadji’s case highlights the ethical dilemma confronting institutions that hold such artifacts—whether to acknowledge historical injustices and return the items or to continue preserving them in foreign custody under the guise of "universal heritage."
The push for restitution aligns with a global movement calling for the decolonization of museums and the return of looted artifacts to their countries of origin. The Pokomo people join a long list of African communities demanding accountability and justice for their stolen heritage. While talks of repatriation have gained momentum in recent years, concrete actions remain limited.
For now, the Ngadji remains out of reach, stored away thousands of miles from the community that treasures it. The Pokomo’s call serves as a reminder of the lingering impact of colonialism and the urgent need for restitution to restore cultural integrity and historical justice.*Kenya's Pokomo People Call for UK to Return Sacred Drum*
The Pokomo community of Kenya has intensified their plea for the return of the Ngadji, a sacred drum taken by British colonial officers over a century ago. The Ngadji, a revered cultural artifact, symbolized unity and spiritual significance among the Pokomo people. Its removal during the colonial era left a void in their cultural heritage, and today, it sits in storage at the British Museum in London—a stark reminder of the broader colonial plunder that has stripped many African communities of their history.
The Ngadji is just one among thousands of African artifacts housed in Western museums, with many displayed as exotic relics or hidden in archives. The exact number of such missing objects remains unknown, as colonial records often omitted details about the seized items. This lack of transparency complicates efforts by African nations and communities to trace and recover their cultural treasures.
For the Pokomo people, the return of the Ngadji is not merely about recovering a physical object. It represents a reclamation of their identity, dignity, and spiritual connection. Community elders emphasize the drum's role in significant ceremonies and its power as a unifying force among the Pokomo clans. Its absence has disrupted traditional practices and severed a vital link to their past.
The British Museum, like many other institutions, faces growing pressure to address claims of restitution. Activists and African governments argue that many of these artifacts were acquired under coercive or exploitative circumstances, often during violent colonial conquests. The Ngadji’s case highlights the ethical dilemma confronting institutions that hold such artifacts—whether to acknowledge historical injustices and return the items or to continue preserving them in foreign custody under the guise of "universal heritage."
The push for restitution aligns with a global movement calling for the decolonization of museums and the return of looted artifacts to their countries of origin. The Pokomo people join a long list of African communities demanding accountability and justice for their stolen heritage. While talks of repatriation have gained momentum in recent years, concrete actions remain limited.
For now, the Ngadji remains out of reach, stored away thousands of miles from the community that treasures it. The Pokomo’s call serves as a reminder of the lingering impact of colonialism and the urgent need for restitution to restore cultural integrity and historical justice
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