In November 2021, France returned 26 items to the Republic of Benin, which had been looted from Abomey in the early 1890s. Among them was one of the kataklés taken from the royal palace. However, the other kataklé remained missing.
Following further investigations, it was identified as part of the 1939 exchange collection transferred to Finland from the Musée de l’Homme, initiating efforts to return the kataklé to Benin.
Benin has made an official request to the Finnish government for the return of the kataklé. The National Museum of Finland has responded positively and is proceeding the return in accordance with official procedures.
The decision has required comprehensive preparations, provenance research and collaboration with France, specifically with the Musée du Quai Branly, responsible for France’s non-European collections.
