Edo Protesters Disrupt Opening of New West African Art Museum in Benin City
In a dramatic turn of events, protesters stormed the grounds of the newly constructed Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) in Benin City, Nigeria, forcing organizers to cancel a preview event just days before its grand opening. The incident has cast a shadow over the highly anticipated launch of this multi-million dollar cultural institution.
A Tense Confrontation
Videos from the scene on Sunday showed a group of local demonstrators confronting foreign guests, with some reports indicating the visitors were insulted and ordered to leave the premises. The protest highlights a deep-seated conflict over the control and representation of the region’s cultural heritage, particularly the famed Benin Bronzes.
Roots of the Dispute
The museum was conceived, in part, as a future home for the Benin Bronzes—priceless artifacts looted by British soldiers in the 19th century. However, a bitter dispute over the custody of these prized artworks has left the state-of-the-art facility without its most significant intended collection. This absence appears to be a central point of contention for the protesters.
Speaking to the BBC, a local resident articulated the widespread frustration, describing the project as being perceived as a “hijacking of an Edo project.” The sentiment is reportedly shared by the Benin Oba (king), traditional rulers, and the Edo state government. This perception was seemingly compounded when the name of the institution was changed, dropping “Edo” from its original title.
Museum’s Response and Wider Mission
In an official statement, Mowaa confirmed that all guests were safely escorted to secure locations. The museum issued a sincere apology for the inconvenience and expressed gratitude to visitors, many of whom had traveled long distances, for their “understanding, patience and resilience.”
The museum attributed the protest to “disputes between the previous and current state administrations.” It emphasized its status as an independent, non-profit organization, clarifying that while a former state governor had backed the project, he held no ongoing interest, “financial or otherwise.”
Executive director Phillip Ihenacho had previously explained to the BBC that the museum’s backers envisioned an institution with a purpose extending beyond Nigeria’s borders, serving the wider West African region.
Opening Plans on Hold
In the wake of the protest, Mowaa has taken the decisive step of cancelling all preview events leading up to the official opening. The museum has advised the public to avoid the campus until the situation is fully resolved, leaving the future of this ambitious cultural project in a state of uncertainty.
Source: Original reporting from the BBC.