Sierra Leone National Museum Celebrates the Return of Nomoli Artifact from the Netherlands.

In a ceremony brimming with profound historical and spiritual significance, a long-lost Nomoli artifact has finally returned to its ancestral home. On January 9th, 2025, the Sierra Leone National Museum became the stage for a powerful act of cultural restitution as this sacred figure, repatriated from the Netherlands, was formally received amidst celebration and solemn ritual.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, was not merely a transfer of an object, but a spiritual homecoming. Assistant Director of Culture, Mr. Ishmael Kamara, framed the day as a profound act of restitution. “We extend greetings from our ancestors,” he began, underscoring the deep lineage reconnected by the Nomoli’s return.

The emotional core of the ceremony was a sacred libation poured by Chief Matthew Jiabao Young, Mende Tribal Head for the Western Area. Honoring the spirits of the forefathers, Chief Young performed the ritual to appease and welcome the artifact’s spirit back to its native soil. With great solemnity, he then handed the Nomoli figure to the custody of the National Museum, physically sealing its return.

The driving force behind the repatriation was Mr. Babah Tarawally, a Sierra Leonean writer and journalist based in the Netherlands. Serving as a brand ambassador, he was entrusted by the Dutch government to facilitate the return. “I was excited to return a valuable part of our DNA,” Tarawally stated, emphasizing the artifact’s intrinsic link to national identity. He issued a compelling call to action, urging the expansion of the National Museum to house the many more artifacts awaiting repatriation.

Madam Binta Jalloh applauded the Netherlands for its integrity in acknowledging the artifact’s true home and urged Sierra Leone to preserve it for millennia.

Mr. Foday Jalloh, Director of Culture, linked the event to Hon. Minister Nabeela Tunis’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Culture and Creativity.” He invoked the Nomoli’s spirit, stating, “Let the spirit of these nomoli hunt those that have them to return them.”

Madam Olivette L. Barnette, Curator of the National Museum, stressed that such artifacts “help us identify who we really are” and form the bedrock of national identity. Joseph Ben Kaifala, Chairman of the Monuments and Relics Commission, framed the moment as pivotal: “This is the time to redefine ourselves and reclaim our true identity.” He pledged relentless effort to retrieve more of Sierra Leone’s dispersed heritage.

This repatriation transcends a single artifact. It stands as a testament of international cultural cooperation, a symbol of reconciliation with the past, and a bold step toward reclaiming a plundered narrative. The returned Nomoli now sits as a beacon, inspiring a future where Sierra Leone’s children can grow up surrounded by the full, tangible story of who they are.

Correspondent: Joel Foday Dumbuya

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