IFG 5: The 4Rs in Africa: Reality or Transcultural Aphasia? Restitution, Return, Repatriation and Reparation

MIASA CC-BY-4.0: Poster IFG 5
Restitution, Return, Repatriation and Reparation
MIASA’s fifth Interdisciplinary Fellow Group (IFG 5) addressed matters of restitution of cultural objects in an interdisciplinary approach by interrogating the four ‘Rs’ – restitution, return, repatriation and reparation – as they apply to the African contexts and their cultural objects held in Western Museums. IFG 5 focused on an ongoing restitution claim from Ghana (Kpando) for objects held at German museums.
The topic of restitution of cultural materials in colonial contexts raises historical, political, and moral questions. The field of “restitution” is characterized by interest groups that do not conform to simplified dichotomous visions, and their agendas go beyond the mere return of cultural materials.
The group identified a multitude of actors, institutions, interest groups and gate-keepers, who are involved in restitution processes. Understanding processes of restitution means inquiring issues of governance and legitimacy, participation and the question of who sets the rules, when and where, or how they are negotiated.
Recognition, Remembering, Reminding
Moreover, the IFG observed that there were more than “4Rs” – a key-one is Recognition, but also Remembering, Reminding. Moreover, it is important to understand the Epistemologies of Restitution and Reparation.
The IFG 5 hold its final conference in December 2021 in Accra in the presence of chiefs and dignitaries from Kpando as well as two follow-up workshops in June (Accra) and September (Paris) 2022.
IFG 5 member Prof. Martin Doll created an Interactive Documentary Research Project on “Thinking about restitution” during his stay.
IFG 5 published a joint MIASA Working Paper No 2023(2).
Period: 1 September to 31 December 2021
Conveners: Dr. Stefanie Michels & Dr. Gertrude Aba Mansah Eyifa-Dziedzienyo
Members: Dr. Jakob Zollmann, Prof. Kokou Azamede, Prof. Martin Doll
Principal Investigators at MIASA: Prof. Wazi Apoh & Prof. Andreas Mehler
Visiting researchers: Mirjam Brusius (GHI London), Dr. Sarah Czirr (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf), Prof. David Simo (University of Yaoundé I), Hans Peter Hahn (Goethe University Frankfurt), Babacar Mbaye Diop (University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar)
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teammiasa (January 15, 2024). IFG 5: The 4Rs in Africa: Reality or Transcultural Aphasia? Restitution, Return, Repatriation and Reparation. Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa - Blog. Retrieved March 26, 2025 from https://miasa.hypotheses.org/1711