US EditionProtests suspend opening of Nigeria heritage museum
The Museum of West African Arts postponed its opening after protesters claimed it violated the Oba of Benin's authority over cultural heritage, amid longstanding disputes over Benin Bronzes.
- On Sunday, protesters disrupted a soft launch at the Museum of West African Arts in Benin City, prompting suspension of preview events and indefinite postponement of Tuesday's opening.
- Amid disputes over the Benin Bronzes, a 2023 law names the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, custodian of returned artefacts, while locals say the museum hijacks an Edo project amid governor tensions.
- Around 20 men, some armed with wooden bats, stormed the museum courtyard chanting support for the Oba of Benin while foreign guests, ambassadors and donors took refuge and were escorted away.
- MOWAA said, `We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused`, while Nigeria's federal government monitored with `deep concern` and Hannatu Musa Musawa condemned the disruption Sunday.
- Launched five years ago by Phillip Ihenacho, MOWAA cost $25m and was designed by David Adjaye; it shelved plans to display Benin Bronzes despite continued repatriations like the Netherlands' June return of 119 bronzes.
69 Articles
69 Articles
The inauguration of the Mowaa, scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed: the bronzes of Benin enter, colonial disputes and an ancient kingdom
The Killeen Daily Herald
Ottumwa CourierProtesters in Nigeria disrupt opening of major West African art museum
Protesters in Nigeria have disrupted this week’s opening of a major museum of West African art, where local disputes over the world-renowned Benin Bronzes have already kept them from being put on display. Videos circulating online show more than a…
GazetteXtra
Protesters disrupt the soft opening of a new museum in Nigeria that was to house returned artifacts
Protesters in Nigeria have disrupted the soft launch of a new, state-backed museum in the country’s south ahead of its scheduled opening this week, saying it was a violation of Benin City's cultural heritage. Under the law, that heritage falls…
Protesters disrupt opening of museum in Nigeria that was to house returned artifacts
Protesters in Nigeria have disrupted the soft launch of a new, state-backed museum in the country’s south ahead of its scheduled opening this week, saying it was a violation of Benin City's cultural heritage
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