Returning African Relics

Famous museums in the West own many objects from around the globe.

For example, visitors to European museums can see important relics from African countries.

This way, they can learn much about world history and culture.

However, many of these objects came to the museums a long time ago.

Back then, African countries were the colonies of European countries.

So, the relics were sent to Europe without the permission of Africans.

Some of the objects were even stolen and then sold to the museums.

Now, many African countries want their relics back.

They say the artifacts are an important part of their past.

Also, they argue that the museums are not the rightful owners.

Because of these demands, some European countries gave back several of their African artifacts.

In late 2018, the French president even promised to return most of the African relics in his country's museums.

However, there are still thousands of African relics in Europe, and most museums don't plan to return them.

Some museums say that they are best qualified to protect these historical objects.

 

• relic ˈrelɪk 유물, 유적  Back then  그 당시에  artifact  ɑ́:rtəfæ̀kt 인공 유물 (선대의 인류가 남긴 물건)

• qualified |kwɑːlɪfaɪd 자격(증)이 있는 qualify  |kwɑːlɪfaɪ (필요한 교육·시험 등을 거쳐) 자격[자격증]을 얻다[취득하다], 자격을 주다 qualification |kwɑːlɪfɪ│keɪʃn 자격[자격증]