Award-Winning Documentary “Dahomey” Explores the Return of Looted African Artifacts
The acclaimed documentary Dahomey, directed by Mati Diop, imagines the voices of royal treasures looted from West Africa by European colonizers and only recently returned to their homeland, present-day Benin. The film, which has received international recognition, including the prestigious Golden Bear award at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in February, delves into the themes of displacement, exile, and return—not only of objects but of people as well.
In an interview with RFI, Diop, who has French-Senegalese roots, explained that her film seeks to inspire reflection on the lingering consequences of European colonialism. “We grapple with the collective amnesia surrounding colonialism and the ongoing refusal to accept historical and political responsibility for that past,” Diop said. For people of African descent, these issues are deeply personal and unresolved.
Dahomey*, released in France this week, tells the story of 26 artifacts that were stolen by 19th-century French forces from the Kingdom of Dahomey, which is now part of modern-day Benin. Among the items were a royal throne and sculptures representing the dynasty’s warrior kings. While these 26 treasures have been returned to Benin, they are just a fraction of the cultural heritage looted from Africa—more than 7,000 pieces remain in France. Many other African nations continue to wait for the return of their own artifacts taken during the colonial period.
Through her film, Diop sheds light on the painful history of colonial looting and the importance of restitution, aiming to encourage broader conversations about the legacy of colonialism and the repatriation of stolen cultural property.