Finland to return historical artifact to Benin

Benin's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts announced Wednesday that a Katakle, a ceremonial royal stool originating from the Kingdom of Dahomey, will be officially returned to Benin from Finland shortly, reported Xinhua.

The restitution marks a new milestone in Benin's sustained efforts to reclaim its emblematic cultural heritage held abroad, while it also reflects the joint commitment of Beninese and Finnish institutions to promote cultural cooperation through dialogue and mutual respect, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, the Katakle is a three-legged royal stool traditionally used during coronation ceremonies to symbolize power, unity, and stability. It was first looted by French colonizers in 1892 and later collected by the National Museum of Finland in 1939.

The ministry added that an official handover ceremony is scheduled to take place in Cotonou, the economic hub of Benin, on May 13.