Africa seeks to reclaim Its Cultural Heritage: The Challenge of Restitution
The movement to return African cultural artifacts looted during the colonial era is gaining momentum, but a key question remains: how can Africa effectively participate in and shape this process?
For the first time, all 54 African nations gathered at a UNESCO conference in Addis Ababa on January 27th to discuss this crucial issue. This unprecedented meeting highlights the continent’s growing desire to reclaim its cultural heritage.
While European nations, spearheaded by France’s pledge in 2017 to return artifacts, have made some progress, the pace of restitution is considered too slow and uncertain by many in Africa.”We are in a phase where we realize that the restitution process will be long and costly,” explains Felicity Bodenstein, a history of art professor at Sorbonne University. “it can only continue with pressure from Africa.”
However, the continent’s efforts have been fragmented, with individual countries pursuing restitutions in isolation. “Many restitutions happen in silos, in Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, without countries and those involved sharing their experiences,” laments Karen Ijumba, a senior researcher at Open Restitution, a pan-African project launched in 2020. “We need a centralized platform.”
Another challenge is the lack of African voices in the global discourse on restitution. “While knowledge about restitution has increased, the voices of Africans themselves are not well represented in the debate,” observes Molemo Moiloa, a researcher at Open Restitution.
She points out that in discussions about the return of the Benin Bronzes, looted in 1897, only two out of the ten most cited voices were African, while the top two belonged to a British archaeologist and the French president.
This imbalance underscores the need for a more inclusive approach that prioritizes the reconnection of African communities with their cultural heritage.
“The people of the continent have limited resources to research museums in Europe where their ancestors’ belongings are kept,” explains Ijumba. “How can they know which European museum holds a Fang mask from Gabon or an Igbo statuette from Nigeria? What databases should they consult? In what language?”
To address this, Bodenstein proposes an interactive map based on European museum data.”You could click on a region, like southern Cameroon, and see which museums hold objects from that area,” she explains. “How else can community members even know where to start their research?”
This ambitious project could be realized with the help of young, skilled Africans who are developing digital tools for provenance research. “They are structuring this field very quickly,” assures julie Sissia, the scientific director of the Franco-German Fund.
The road to restitution is long and complex, but Africa is steadfast to play a leading role in shaping its future. By fostering collaboration, amplifying African voices, and leveraging technology, the continent can reclaim its cultural heritage and ensure its rightful place in the global narrative.
Reclaiming Cultural Heritage: A Conversation on African Restitution
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news.Today, we’re discussing the urgent issue of African cultural heritage restitution. Felicity Bodenstein, a history of art professor at Sorbonne University, joins us to shed light on the challenges and opportunities in this crucial movement.
Time.news Editor: Professor bodenstein, the recent UNESCO conference in Addis Ababa marked a significant moment in the restitution movement. What does this unprecedented gathering signify for Africa’s cultural heritage?
Felicity Bodenstein: It signifies a profound shift in the global discourse surrounding restitution. For the first time, all 54 African nations came together on a common platform to discuss this issue, highlighting the continent’s collective determination to reclaim what was unjustly taken. It’s a powerful testament to the growing momentum behind this movement.
Time.news Editor: Europe has made some progress in returning looted artifacts. However, many in Africa perceive the pace as too slow. How can Africa ensure its voices are heard and its interests are prioritized in this process?
Felicity Bodenstein: The continent needs to exert sustained pressure. Restitution is a long and complex process, often hindered by bureaucratic complexities and internal disagreements within European countries. But african nations must continue to engage in dialog, articulate their needs clearly, and advocate for a more equitable and timely return of their cultural heritage.
Time.news Editor: we’ve seen examples of fragmented efforts, with individual countries pursuing restitution in isolation. What’s the importance of a united and coordinated approach?
Felicity Bodenstein: A centralized platform for sharing experiences, resources, and knowledge is crucial.Karen Ijumba, senior researcher at open Restitution, a pan-African project, emphasizes this need. collecting data, standardizing procedures, and collaborating on legal strategies will amplify the impact of Africa’s efforts.
Time.news Editor: Open Restitution highlights the lack of African voices in the global restitution discourse. How can we bridge this gap and ensure that African perspectives are at the forefront of this conversation?
Felicity Bodenstein: Empowering African researchers, institutions, and community leaders is key. investing in their training, providing access to resources, and creating spaces for their voices to be heard will bring much-needed diversity and authenticity to the debate.
Time.news Editor: Professor Bodenstein, you’ve mentioned the need for technological solutions to overcome the challenges of accessing information about looted artifacts. Could you elaborate on that?
Felicity Bodenstein: An interactive map based on European museum data could be incredibly valuable. Imagine being able to click on a region in Africa and instantly see which museums house artifacts from that area.This would empower communities to trace their cultural heritage and initiate requests for repatriation. We’re seeing a new generation of African developers creating digital tools for provenance research, which is truly exciting.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insightful viewpoint, Professor Bodenstein. The road to restitution is undoubtedly long and complex, but your words offer a beacon of hope for Africa’s cultural future.