Protesters disrupted a preview event at the newly built Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) in Benin City, Nigeria, leading organizers to halt the proceedings ahead of the grand opening scheduled for Tuesday. Footage from the scene captured the protesters verbally confronting foreign guests and demanding their departure from the museum grounds.
The Mowaa, located in Edo State, was partially established to house the Benin Bronzes, a collection of artifacts taken from the region by British forces during the 19th century. However, ongoing disputes regarding the control of these valuable artworks have resulted in their absence from the museum, which seems to have contributed to the discontent among the protesters.
According to a museum statement, all guests were safely escorted to secure locations in response to the unrest. The museum expressed regrets for any disruption caused to attendees and noted that local sentiments reflect a broader feeling of dissatisfaction regarding what some perceive as an appropriation of a project meant for the Edo people. A local resident reported that traditional authorities, including the Benin Oba, have expressed unhappiness with the situation.
Initially, “Edo” was part of the museum’s name but was later removed at the request of its backers, who aimed for the institution to have a more extensive global focus. Phillip Ihenacho, the museum’s executive director, stated that while a former state governor supported the project, he no longer holds any financial or administrative ties to it.
In light of the protests, Mowaa has canceled all upcoming preview events and advised visitors to stay away from the campus until a resolution is reached. The museum reaffirmed its status as an independent, non-profit organization.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3642764y7xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss