- African Material Culture
Open access to information on restitution
The Open Restitution Project is an Africa-led project seeking to open up access to information on the restitution of African material culture and human ancestors, to empower all stakeholders involved to make knowledge-based decisions.
Over 1,000,000 known African artefacts unwillingly held outside the continent.
Of these, less than 1,000 have been returned
We believe that data on restitution should be
Transparent
Encouraging a culture of transparency and accountability in restitution issues.
Accessible
Making existing knowledge, often being developed in Euro-American institutions, more accessible to Africans
Centralised
Allowing for open, data-driven resources that enable more informed positions and debates.
News & Updates
Resources
The project is driven by the need to make central and accessible the breadth of knowledge being built around restitution debates
Restitution 101
Restitution 101 series, a compelling video series that provides historical context and explores critical issues surrounding the restitution of Africa’s cultural heritage. Comprising five captivating episodes, this series aims to ignite an engaging intra-African conversation, empowering Africans with a comprehensive understanding of restitution intricacies, nuances, and potential solutions.
Podcast
Reports
Press Features
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