Angolans and Cape Verdeans Urge Portugal to Return Cultural Treasures Survey Finds

Edited by:  Reda El Ghazal

A new survey reveals growing demands in Angola and Cape Verde for Portugal to acknowledge its colonial legacy and repatriate valuable cultural heritage acquired during that period. The poll, conducted by Lisbon Catholic University in collaboration with RTP and a commemorative commission, canvassed the opinions of over three thousand participants from Angola, Cape Verde, and Portugal.

According to the findings, a significant proportion of Angolans and Cape Verdeans believe Portugal should give back artefacts such as traditional masks and ritual objects removed during the colonial era. Support for repatriation is particularly strong in Cape Verde, where nearly two thirds favor the return of these items. At the same time, more than half of Portuguese respondents also expressed support for returning cultural property, although the majority did not see the need for a formal apology to former colonies. By contrast, majorities in both Angola and Cape Verde consider an official apology from Lisbon appropriate.

Despite these calls for accountability, most respondents across the three countries indicated that they do not favor removing colonial-era monuments. However, there is broad agreement in Portugal that a public memorial to victims of transatlantic slavery should be established, with renewed debate over a planned monument in Lisbon reflecting ongoing global discussions about reparations and historical justice.

Meanwhile, the issue has become increasingly politicized within Portugal itself. The far-right Chega party, now a major force in parliament, has vowed to oppose both the restitution of artefacts and any financial compensation. This political resistance underscores the challenges facing efforts to address the legacies of colonialism and the demands for cultural restitution across the Lusophone world.