The Return of Cultural Artefacts: Unpacking Repatriation and Restitution

Museums and universities worldwide hold vast collections of cultural artefacts, artworks, and ancestral remains, many of which were taken during colonial times through force, manipulation, theft, or violence. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the painful legacies these collections carry, sparking calls for their return as part of a global conversation about decolonization, justice, and healing.

Two terms are often used in these discussions: repatriation and restitution. While they may seem interchangeable, the difference between them is not just semantic. The choice of word reflects deeper politics of justice, recognition, and repair. Repatriation, derived from the Latin “patria,” meaning “fatherland,” traditionally refers to the return of a person or their remains to their country of origin. Governments often use this term for the logistical and legal transfer of people, artworks, or ancestral remains across national borders.

In contrast, restitution is about returning something to its rightful owner, not simply as a transfer of property, but as an act of recognition, repair, and healing. It involves research, conversations with descendant communities, and decisions about how to care for or honor what has been returned. Restitution recognizes that the belongings taken were not just curiosities or objects, but were tied to community, language, ceremony, and identity.

The distinction between repatriation and restitution is not academic nitpicking. Words shape power, and the emphasis shifts depending on the term used. If return is framed as repatriation, the focus is often on the giver, the returner, in the form of the state or museum, granting something back. If it is framed as restitution, the emphasis shifts to the claimant, to the community asserting rights and demanding justice.

Restitution is not about recovering a lost past, but about creating new futures built on justice, dignity, and respect. For communities around the world still living with the legacies of colonial dispossession, this distinction matters deeply. The work of restitution restores people’s power over their future, giving them a sense of agency and allowing them to reconnect with their heritage in meaningful ways. As the global conversation about decolonization and restitution continues, the importance of understanding the difference between repatriation and restitution will only continue to grow.