Rwanda seeks return of historical artifacts from colonial museums

Rwanda is calling for the repatriation of its historical artifacts, noting that more than 90 % of its cultural materials, documents and audiovisual records remain in colonial museums. Robert Masozera, Director General of the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, said on October 27—while Rwanda marked the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage—that former colonial powers such as Germany and Belgium have been reluctant to return these significant items.

Masozera explained that most of Rwanda’s historical artifacts, including songs, documents and visual media, were taken by colonial authorities and are still held abroad. He pointed out that the legal frameworks in those countries make repatriation difficult, even though the materials are essential to defining the uniqueness of Rwandans. While audiovisual heritage is crucial, the archives in Rwanda contain only a small fraction of the original collection; less than 10 % of the items have been returned after lengthy negotiations.

To preserve what remains, Masozera urged citizens to submit historical materials to the National Archives, emphasizing that such items are sensitive and must be stored carefully. The Archives currently hold 4,095 Gakondo songs returned from Belgium, a film about King Mutara III Rudahigwa, and a documentary on education in Rwanda and Burundi from 1912 to the 1960s. Ongoing negotiations aim to recover the rest of the artifacts, and Masozera expressed hope that continued cooperation will yield progress. However, he noted that some countries prefer to offer copies rather than return the original items.

Masozera stressed that Rwanda now has modern preservation measures and is fully capable of safeguarding its heritage. In the digital era, efforts are under way to digitize archives, but concerns have been raised about the misuse of artificial intelligence to manipulate or forge content. While acknowledging these risks, he pointed out that existing laws protect against copyright infringement. He encouraged individuals to preserve their historical materials properly, either by submitting them to the National Archives or by seeking training to preserve them independently.

The repatriation of Rwanda’s historical artifacts remains a significant issue as the country strives to reclaim its cultural heritage and preserve its history for future generations. As negotiations continue, Rwanda stays committed to safeguarding its audiovisual heritage and promoting the importance of preserving the past.