Yoruba Artifacts Abroad: Call For Repatriation Must Be Genuine, Backed By Ability To Secure – Ooni Ogunwusi

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has said there must be conscious efforts to lay the foundation for retrieving all Yoruba artifacts and antiquties that were taken away by the Europeans.

This is just as he claimed that the Yorubas commenced what is today known as physics and other high technological studies globally.

Oba Ogunwusi was speaking on Wednesday during the on-site exhibition and opening of the ancient Olokun Heritage site in Ile-ife, Osun State.

According to the Ooni, the site is significant in that, it is the location where the prominent Ori Olokun bronze head was discovered and excavated in 1910 and taken to the British Museum where it is till date.

“During a research in the 18th century, a British scientist known as Richard Landner led a team to a market in the Old Oyo empire known as Katingua where they found some precious items. When they asked the Oyo people, they said such items could be only gotten from Ife; where they all came from.

“When the researcher traced it down to Ife in 1830, he was marvelled to see a very broad-based technology rolling out glass technology in millions and trading it across the world. Other researchers came in the early 19th century, they kept digging and that was when they saw the Yoruba’s identity; Ori Olokun and took it to the British Museum.

“We are the first material scientists as far as Physics, Chemistry and other high technologies are concerned. We started the glass technology here, before you all are items of over four thousand years ago that stands as evidence to justify the claim.” Ooni Ogunwusi said.

He said findings from the archeological survey conducted on the site which affirmed that materials for production of glass were sourced in the area in the ancient time, is further attestation that Ile-Ife is the cradle of civilization.

On repatriation of artifacts and antiquities of Yoruba origin, Ooni Ogunwusi said, “It is good to request and celebrate the repatriation of these artifacts but the most important is for us to plug it appropriately, for cultural and economic use.

“That is why we are working with our tertiary institutions including the Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan and others to ensure that we have a successful repatriation.”.

Speaking, a researcher from the British Museum, Dr. Abidemi Babalola, explained that he was fascinated to undertake since 2009, the research to affirm that materials for glass production were source from the site based on report of early researchers.

Babalola said, “What we do hear is that the glass technology which is the oldest material created by man on earth was only invented in the Middle East and also the ancient Egypt and then spread across the world. But what we are seeing here today contradicts that as the ancient people practiced glass technology on a very large scale and distribute it across the world.”

In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the National Commission for Museum and Monuments, Prof. Abba Isa Tijani, explained that artifacts such as discoveries from the Igbo Olokun Heritage site, can be used for cultural cooperation and understand in the face of the current challenges confronting the country.

Also, a professor of Archeology from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Adisa Ogunfolakan called on government at all levels to develop tourism sector which he described as goldmine and multimillion dollar sector.

Ogunfolakan commended the Ooni for his unending support for cultural practices across Yoruba land.

He however advocated that the ways of Yoruba ancestors should be taught in school towards the institutionalization of the prestigious Yoruba culture.