Maqoma was a commander of the Xhosa forces fighting against British rule in the South African wars of the 19th century.
He was imprisoned and died on Robben Island in 1873.
The chief’s stick is currently stored by the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks.
“Maqoma mustn’t have been long dead when they took his stick, that is a violation. Culturally, the significance of the stick is that his nation can never rise again.”
Culture Minister Catherine Martin is now being called on to facilitate the return of his stick to his descendants by the South African scholar, poet and playwright Nandi Jola, who first discovered the existence of the stick last year.
