The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of the Republic of Benin and the National Museum of Finland have announced the forthcoming restitution of the Kataklè, a ceremonial royal stool. The official handover will take place on 13 May 2025. This return marks a new milestone in Benin’s ongoing efforts to recover its iconic cultural heritage held abroad. It also reflects the shared commitment of Beninese and Finnish institutions to advancing cultural cooperation through dialogue and mutual respect.
An Iconic Treasure
The Kataklè originates from the Kingdom of Danxomè, founded in the 17th century in the territory of what is now the Republic of Benin. The term Kataklè refers to a three-legged royal stool, traditionally used during official ceremonies to symbolise stability, power, and unity. It is known as the first seat used during the coronation of a king.
In 1892, during the colonial conquest of Danxomè, French troops under the command of Colonel Alfred Dodds seized several valuable objects from the royal palace. The Kataklè was among twenty-seven (27) items taken by Colonel Dodds and transferred to Paris to the Musée d’Ethnographie du Trocadéro, which later became the Musée de l’Homme in 1937. As part of an exchange involving fifty-nine (59) ethnographic objects from Africa, Asia, and Oceania, the Kataklè entered the collections of the National Museum of Finland in 1939.
A Historic Event within the Ongoing Restitution and Valorisation of Benin’s Royal Treasures
In November 2021, at the request of the Beninese government, the French Republic returned twenty-six (26) of the twenty-seven (27) artefacts taken by Colonel Dodds.
The Republic of Benin subsequently made an official restitution request for the Kataklè to the Finnish authorities. The National Museum of Finland responded positively, following a thorough verification process in collaboration with the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. The restitution process was reinforced during an official visit to Helsinki by a Beninese delegation led by Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin, on 4–5 November 2024. Following a letter dated 10 December 2024 from the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of Benin, experts from both countries began drafting the operational protocol for the restitution.
A Restitution Ceremony in Benin
On Tuesday, 13 May 2025, an official ceremony will be held in Cotonou to mark the transfer of ownership and the return of the Kataklè to Beninese soil.
About the Kataklè
The Kataklè is a ceremonial three-legged royal stool. Used during coronation ceremonies, it is a central symbol of power in the Kingdom of Danxomè, representing unity and stability. The Kataklè is one of 27 royal treasures seized by French troops in 1892.
Source : GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BENIN
