In a historic ceremony held in Prague, the National Museum of the Czech Republic has formally repatriated a collection of four sacred 18th-century Suku ancestral statues to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The wooden figures, known for their distinctive elongated forms and ritual significance, were originally acquired by European travelers in the early 20th century and later donated to the museum during the interwar period.
The return follows a comprehensive provenance review that determined the statues were vital ritual objects that should never have left their communal context in the Kwango region. The Czech government highlighted the move as part of its 'New Cultural Diplomacy' policy, which seeks to address historical imbalances in museum collections and foster deeper ties with African cultural institutions.
Representatives from the National Museum of the DR Congo in Kinshasa accepted the artifacts, stating that the statues represent the 'souls of the ancestors' and are essential for the spiritual well-being of the Suku community. A joint research project has also been established to digitize the statues' history for educational programs in both countries.