If there is one place that gives Cameroonian restitution activist, Sylvie Njobati the chills, it is a museum. While to many, museums are a hallmark of art and home to history, the structures are to her, jails where the heritage of her people and other African localities are imprisoned.
Of the hundreds of museums across the world, one however appears to have impressed the activist, or at least, attempted to. Njobati paid a visit to the Grassi Museum in Leipzig, Germany, and her experience is definitely one you would love to hear:
“I grew up not knowing museums, and when I did, it was in this very dark and violent context. Every time I stepped foot in a museum inGermany for eg, there was always this energy that broke me down one ‘object’ at a time.
For long, I had this mindset that this must be what a museum is. Then yesterday, I visited Grassi museum, Leipzig & came to a new understanding of what museums can be. My first stop was the game room: so welcoming, full of light. colour, & life – a safe space for community bonding
Then the hard part came, viewing of heritage from Nso in the depots.
I was shown these heritage ranging from our sacred statues to our warring objects, bitter chills ran down my spine. They had been prepped on a table for me to see, an experience I will never get used to.
I was walked through each heritage by the two staff present: Conservator for Africa and a researcher. Unfiltered information was shared about the looters relating to the research in Togo as one of the looters had a pattern that ran thru these countries.
Then I went to a second storage unit and this has remained the most terrifying experience for me ever in a depot. When I walked in this depot it felt cold, like dead’s been here or still resides here. Stored in coffin-like 📦, wrapped like lifeless bodies, I tearfully looked through.
The staff experience.
Throughout my time here, the staff were forth coming with information, asking how they could be better, demonstrated understanding, and empathy. We hugged each and cried after the second depot visit. Really meant a lot to me.
Though I had some difficult and disturbing experiences, to me this museum is redefining and reinventing what a museum with this kind of heavy burden should b. From a repatriation room, to a community space for rituals, reconnections during visits and repatriations, I see inclusion.
I even had the ease of mind to relax n nap in a museum. It’s more than what you see, it’s a whole experience. This place to me is the role model example. Yes much is being done but there is even much more to do especially in storage units.
Thank you so much @LVanmensch & the wonderful team for the wonderful treat, experience and exchanges. The laughs, the emotions, the moments are an incredible contributor to this journey.
Your ability to self-reflect and self-critique to be better is one of my biggest take home.
Thank you to this incredible team. Thomas, Hanes, Nils and Marc, words are not enough to express my gratitude to you all.
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