Benin wants its voodoo war god back amid cultural artefact dispute

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 9, 2026

Benin has formally requested the return of the Gou statue, a 19th-century iron sculpture symbolizing the Vodun god of war, currently held in a Paris museum. This request follows new French legislation that facilitates the restitution of colonial-era artefacts, potentially enabling Benin to reclaim significant cultural objects and strengthen its preservation efforts.

Benin is seeking the return of a historic statue of Gou, the Vodun god of war, that has been held in France for more than a century. The statue, made from iron slave chains and standing nearly six feet tall, was created in the 1850s by the sculptor Akpele Kendo Akati. It was taken shortly thereafter when Akati was enslaved by King Glèlè and brought to the royal court of Dahomey, in present-day southern Benin.

The statue was used in religious rituals and served as a symbol of protection and power in battles. In 1892, Gou was stolen from the port of Ouidah by Captain Eugene Fonssagrives, a French officer who later donated it to the Musée d’Ethnographie du Trocadero in Paris. The statue has since been exhibited in museums such as the Louvre and currently resides at the Musée du Quai Branly — Jacques Chirac in Paris.

The French Senate passed legislation in May aimed at accelerating the process of returning cultural artefacts looted during the colonial period, which has brought renewed focus to the statue’s repatriation. Under the new law, a joint committee of experts from France and the countries seeking the return of artefacts will review evidence to determine whether objects were unlawfully acquired and qualify for restitution. Benin’s government has identified Gou among 35 cultural objects it has requested back.

“The French law is a step forward,” said Franck Ogou, director of the African Heritage School in Porto-Novo, Benin’s capital. He noted that the process now involves scientific collaboration rather than unilateral decisions by French authorities.

Benin first officially demanded the statue’s return in 2016. Under the new legislation, requests are considered for objects taken between 1815 and 1972, contingent upon proof of their removal and provenance. President Emmanuel Macron has committed to returning African cultural artefacts, emphasizing the importance of preserving heritage within its countries of origin.

France returned 26 Beninese objects in 2021, but the process faced criticism in Benin for perceived lack of consultation. Bernard Gabin Djimassé, director of tourism in the Abomey region, described the gesture as insulting, saying officials were not allowed to select the items themselves.

Opponents of repatriation frequently raise concerns about the ability of countries of origin to protect and preserve returned artefacts. Benin counters these concerns by highlighting the construction of several new museums aimed at showcasing its cultural heritage. The Museum of the Epic of the Amazons and Kings of Dahomey, located in Abomey’s royal palace grounds, will display the recently returned items from France. The statue of Gou, if repatriated, is intended for exhibition at the International Vodun Museum in Porto-Novo, dedicated to the region’s Vodun religion.

France holds tens of thousands of artefacts from its former colonies, with many African nations advocating for the return of cultural treasures taken during the colonial era. This ongoing debate reflects broader discussions about historical justice, cultural sovereignty, and the legacy of empire.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.