Tears, dance as Benin welcomes back looted treasures from France

With drums, dancing and tears, Benin on Wednesday welcomed back nearly 30 royal treasures looted from the West African state during France's colonial rule more than 130 years ago. 

The artefacts, some considered sacred in Benin, arrived in the economic capital Cotonou by plane before being transported in three trucks, escorted by horses, to the presidential palace.

The return of the artefacts comes as calls mount in Africa for Western countries to hand back colonial spoils from their museums.

Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have also received requests from African countries to return lost treasures.

In Benin on Wednesday, hundreds of people from all over the country thronged the streets to watch the treasures arrive.

Adults and children, mostly dressed in colourful loincloths, applauded as the trucks passed, some bowed to the ground, others weeping and crossing their hands in a sign of respect. 

"I am devastated with the emotion," said Benin president Patrice Talon, visibly touched, before delivering a 30-minute speech focused on national unity. 

"It is the symbol of the return to Benin of our soul, of our identity," the president declared. 

President Talon and the country's culture minister had travelled on Tuesday to Paris to bring home the 26 artefacts, part of France's President Emmanuel Macron's bid to restore African heritage.