This presentation will provide both an overview and well as specific cases of heritage appropriation (including human remains) from Africa starting from the colonial times and the quest for their return. The demand for restitution has been ongoing since before independence of the various African nations but has now been accelerated with the recent events including positions taken not only by communities, Civil Society and individual countries but also regional and continental bodies such as the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) among others. A long and arduous the journey to claim for African Ancestors and heritage resources taken away from the continent has become unstoppable.

Presenters

Prof George Okello Abungu is Emeritus Director General of the National Museums of Kenya and Founding Professor of Heritage Studies at the University of Mauritius. Professor Abungu is a former member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and an Honorary Professor at the ANU Centre of Heritage and Museum Studies.

Dr. Rudo Sithole is Emeritus Director of the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe and founding/current director of AFRIMUHERE, a Pan-African Restitution organization. Former Director of Africom and a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe. She is also an Honorary Professor at the ANU Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies at.

A public lecture presented by the ANU Centre for Heritage and Museums Studies and the Return Reconcile Renew research network.