Finland has returned two pieces of sacred historic stone that were taken away by Finnish missionaries during the colonial period. The stones were taken from Ondonga, a traditional kingdom of the Ovambo people, in present-day northern Namibia.
The fragments were handed over by Finnish Deputy Foreign Minister Jukka Salovaara to Namibian Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Anna Nghipondoka on Thursday.
They will be kept in the National Museum of Namibia and will eventually be returned to the traditional Ondonga community, local media reported.
Visiting Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said the so-called “Ondonga Power Stone” is not only valuable to the Ondonga community but also a part of the community’s identity and heritage.
President Hage Geingob said the return of the stone would set an example for all those “who stole things from Africa”.
