MUSEUMS AS AGENTS OF DECOLONIALITY: A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THEORY AND PRAXIS IN WEST AFRICA

Abstract

The study examines museums in West Africa and their relevance as decolonialising agents. The prime objective of the study extends the discussions on the nexus between African museums and colonialism, museological theory and reality. It opens discussion by highlighting the timeless relevance of museums in Africa and also takes note of colonial hegemony as the main bane that confronts institutionalised museums in the region. The study identifies Malinowskian theory and perspectives as contributors to cultural studies in Africa. The problem of the study examines why and how researches on museums in Africa continued to be devoid of dialectical discussions. It highlights the lack of critical hermeneutics and radical perspectives that pose critical questions on Eurocentrism, Colonialism and globalisation, which are embedded in African cultural narratives. By engaging in critical analysis, it illustrates the envisaged usefulness of museums as agents of decoloniality. Using a polymethodic approach that involves synthesizing literature and critical theory, the study provides a penetrating discussion of the current situation of museums in West Africa. Research findings reveal that museums in West Africa are tailored along European concepts and therefore they failed to engineer social change. These are consistent with submissions from studies that argue for more people-centred museums in Africa. The study recommends the adoption of radical museum pedagogy and an overhaul of heritage management to revolutionise the consciousness of Africans. Overall, the study contributes to critical discussions of decolonialisation of management and use of cultural heritages in Africa.