In a significant act of cultural restitution, the Illinois State Museum has recently returned over 30 stolen artifacts to Kenyan officials. The repatriated items, known as “vigango,” hold great spiritual significance to the Mijikenda peoples of modern-day Kenya. These memorial statues serve as spiritual objects honoring deceased ancestors.
The Illinois State Museum, overseen by the state of Illinois, announced in a press release that the 37 repatriated artifacts were taken from Mijikenda villages in Kenya during the 1980s. Over the years, they were circulated among dealers and art collectors without proper legal documentation. Eventually, the statues were gifted to the Illinois State Museum as part of a larger collection of African art. Experts assert that these statues, which commemorate Kenyan elders, were never meant to be moved from their original locations.
At the time of the gift, museum officials were unaware of the unlawful removal of the artworks from the Mijikenda villages. The recent return of these objects by the Illinois State Museum is part of an ongoing effort to repatriate vigango items to Kenyan officials, ensuring their rightful place in the country’s network of national museums.
Brooke Morgan, a curator of anthropology at the Illinois State Museum, has been actively involved in repatriation efforts since 2006. As a member of a group of representatives from other museums and universities in the United States, Morgan recently traveled to Nairobi to meet with Kenyan officials. The discussions focused on the preservation of vigango objects and the plans of the National Museums of Kenya.
Morgan emphasized the inalienable connection between these objects and the people who created them. She stated, “Separating vigango from their rightful owners harms the spiritual well-being of the whole community.” Recognizing the profound cultural and spiritual significance of the artifacts, the Illinois State Museum’s decision to return them marks a crucial step towards rectifying the historical injustices associated with their unlawful acquisition.
This act of repatriation aligns with a growing global movement that advocates for the return of cultural heritage to its country of origin. Museums and institutions worldwide are reevaluating their collections, aiming to rectify historical wrongs and foster meaningful collaborations with indigenous communities. The return of the stolen vigango artifacts serves as a testament to the Illinois State Museum’s commitment to cultural preservation and the recognition of the Mijikenda people’s rights.
As discussions and efforts surrounding repatriation continue, the hope is that more stolen cultural treasures will find their way back to their rightful homes. These acts of justice contribute not only to the restoration of cultural heritage but also to the healing and empowerment of affected communities worldwide.
