In a significant gesture of goodwill and cultural reconciliation, the Swiss town of Neuchâtel has officially returned three historic artefacts to South Africa. These items, which spent more than a century in the collections of the Neuchâtel Ethnographic Museum, were handed over during a ceremony held just days before South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Switzerland.
The artefacts — a set of 30 divining bones in a woven basket, a bull’s foot bone used as an amulet, and a walking staff — were originally obtained by Swiss town missionary and ethnographer Henri-Alexandre Junod during his time in South Africa in the late 19th century. Their return marks an important moment in the shared history between the two nations.
The items handed back to South Africa have deep spiritual and cultural significance. They were originally part of the Shilubana royal family collection from the Nkuna chiefdom in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Henri-Alexandre Junod, a Swiss Town missionary who arrived in Shiluvane in 1886, built a close friendship with regent Mugevisa Mankhelu Shilubana, a relationship that would shape both communities for generations.
Through this friendship, Junod was able to document Tsonga culture, religion, and language in great detail. His most famous publication, The Life of a South African Tribe, remains a cornerstone of African ethnographic study. Junod’s linguistic work also helped codify the Tsonga language, giving it a written form still used today.
Swiss town in addition to his research, Junod and Shilubana’s collaboration led to the establishment of vital institutions in Limpopo — including a primary school, a secondary school that still stands, a hospital, and a Swiss missionary church.
Junod returned to Switzerland in 1920 and passed away in 1934 at the age of 70. The artefacts he collected remained in the Ethnographic Museum of Neuchâtel, where they were kept in storage for decades.
Swiss town Authorities Praise Strong Bilateral Ties with South Africa
The Swiss town of Neuchâtel released a statement confirming that the items had been officially handed over to a South African delegation.
“Neuchâtel today handed over to South Africa three objects of symbolic and religious significance that had been housed in the collections of the Ethnographic Museum of Neuchâtel for over a century,” the town said.
Officials highlighted that the return symbolizes the excellent relationship between Switzerland and South Africa, as both countries continue to strengthen their cultural and diplomatic ties.
“The return of these artefacts to their country of origin attests to the excellent state of relations between Switzerland and South Africa,” the statement added.
The transfer also coincided with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Switzerland, underscoring the importance of cultural diplomacy in fostering international goodwill.
South Africa’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Abel Mxolisi Shilubane, who is a descendant of the Shilubana royal family, attended the ceremony in Neuchâtel. Shilubane expressed gratitude to the Swiss authorities for their gesture and emphasized how meaningful the return was to his family and community.
“It is a moving moment to see these artefacts return to their country and family of origin, where they will be able to regain their symbolic and religious function,” said Neuchâtel town council leader Nicole Baur during the ceremony.
The artefacts had not been part of the museum’s public exhibitions since the 1950s. Discussions around their voluntary return began as early as 2016, and after years of diplomatic collaboration, the formal deed transferring ownership was finally signed this week.
This repatriation reflects a broader Swiss town commitment to ethical cultural preservation and the global movement to return artefacts taken during colonial and missionary periods. Over recent years, Swiss museums have taken proactive steps to review their collections, identify items of questionable provenance, and engage with the countries and communities of origin.
The Ethnographic Museum of Neuchâtel, in particular, has worked closely with South African representatives to ensure that the transfer process was handled respectfully and transparently. The return also sets a positive precedent for other Swiss institutions housing African cultural items to follow suit.
For South Africa, the return of these sacred items represents much more than the recovery of cultural property. It is a restoration of identity, heritage, and history — particularly for the Shilubana royal family and the Tsonga people. The artefacts are expected to be placed in a heritage institution or cultural center in Limpopo, where they can once again serve their original spiritual purpose and be appreciated by future generations.
The Swiss town gesture also reinforces the growing global awareness around the importance of returning cultural artefacts to their rightful homes. By acknowledging the historical connections between the two nations, Switzerland and South Africa have demonstrated how international cooperation can lead to healing and reconciliation.
The return of the artefacts from the Swiss town of Neuchâtel to South Africa is a powerful example of mutual respect and cultural diplomacy. As President Ramaphosa visits Switzerland, this symbolic act serves as a reminder of how nations can honor their shared histories while building stronger, more equitable relationships for the future.
Through this gesture, Switzerland not only reaffirms its friendship with South Africa but also underscores its role as a responsible global partner in the preservation and restitution of cultural heritage.
Source- EWN
