Protests 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.
83 Articles
83 Articles
Nigerian govt reacts as Gov Okpebholo revokes Benin museum's C of O
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has reacted to the disturbance at the Museum of West African Art, MOWAA, Benin City. The Ministry said it has received the reports of disturbances at the Museum and is closely monitoring developments. This followed the raging crisis over the true ownership of MOWAA, between the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Edo State Government and the management of the facility. …
Protesters Storm Campus of Nigeria’s Museum of West African Art, Forcing Abrupt End to Preview
After more than five years in development, Nigeria’s glitzy Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City was set to host a series of preview events this week ahead of a grand public opening on Tuesday. Instead, it was met with protests. On Sunday, just hours before the first preview was set to begin, demonstrators gathered at the entrance to the museum campus, demanding to be allowed in. When denied, the crowd entered through another gate,…
Museum of West African Art Opening Delayed by Protesters
The opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, originally slated for November 11, has been postponed after a group of some twenty protesters disrupted a preview event on November 9. The demonstrators, some wielding bats, appeared to be asserting the jurisdiction of the Edo people’s ceremonial king, Oba Ewuare […]
The inauguration of the Mowaa, scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed: the bronzes of Benin enter, colonial disputes and an ancient kingdom
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