The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Adeyemi Owoade, has revealed that 16 gold-plated beaded crowns belonging to the Oyo monarchy were stolen during the British invasion of the ancient Oyo Palace in November 1895, describing them as priceless cultural treasures and irreplaceable symbols of Yoruba identity.
Naija News reports that the monarch made the disclosure while receiving the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway, at his Boroboro private residence in Oyo.
According to a statement issued by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Holloway assured that the NCMM is committed to securing the return of the Oyo artefacts—similar to the ongoing repatriation of the Benin Bronzes—through diplomatic engagement and collaboration with global institutions.
“The Crowns Carry Spiritual and Historical Weight” — Alaafin
Oba Owoade emphasized that the stolen crowns are not ordinary regalia but sacred objects deeply woven into the history, spirituality, governance, and cultural identity of the Oyo kingdom.
He stated:
“About 16 gold-plated beaded crowns were stolen during the dastardly raid of the palace in November 1895. These artefacts are cultural symbols and carry spiritual and historical significance, and their return is essential for the preservation of heritage and identity.”
The monarch reflected on the greatness of the old Oyo Empire, describing it as a formidable political and military force, renowned for its sophisticated administration and influential cultural institutions. He said the looted artefacts—crowns, sculptures, regalia, and other objects—carry documented evidence of political transitions, royal lineage, and daily life in the historic empire.
Oba Owoade stressed that the removal of these items during British punitive expeditions was a direct act of colonial aggression, aimed at asserting dominance, weakening indigenous political structures, and expanding British commercial and territorial control.
He added that the return of the pieces is not just symbolic but essential for cultural rejuvenation, national identity, and economic development, including cultural tourism and community empowerment.
“These Artefacts Are Living Heritage, Not Just Museum Pieces” — Ladigbolu
Speaking during the visit, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu offered deeper historical context on the 1895 invasion led by British colonial officer Captain Robert Bower (also known as Ogun-Pepe).
Ladigbolu stressed that the stolen artefacts—including the 16 crowns—are not merely art objects but living cultural heritage with deep ritual and spiritual significance.
He explained:
“The stolen Oyo artefacts hold significant cultural, spiritual, and historical value for the Yoruba people. Their removal represents a historical injustice and a loss of identity for the originating community. These items are essential for the preservation of heritage and cultural continuity.”
He noted that the artefacts play vital roles in traditional ceremonies, royal rites, festivals such as the Sango and Oranmiyan festivals, and the overall spiritual well-being of the Oyo people.
Their loss, he said, strips the objects of meaningful cultural context and reduces them to museum curiosities in Western institutions, far removed from the communities to which they belong.
Hope for Repatriation
Both the Alaafin and the NCMM leadership expressed confidence that ongoing repatriation efforts will restore key symbols of Yoruba civilisation and heal historical wounds left by colonialism.
They affirmed that returning the artefacts would mark a significant step toward restoring dignity, preserving indigenous knowledge systems, and strengthening national pride.
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