Open Restitution Africa

An Africa-led project seeking to open up access to information on return of African material culture and human ancestors. By @andaniafrica & @africadheritage

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

We are extremely pleased to launch our latest publication, 'Field Work Guide For Restitution Pracititioners in Africa'.

Developed in collaboration with the formidable Victoria Phiri, Director Livingstone Museum, Zambia https://t.co/GviKTX7J3b

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

All outputs are available for public use and we have put in place measures to archive this work for the long term. Read more about our sunsetting process here -https://t.co/HKsCcn5rQ1

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

It is with a mix of pride and deep gratitude that we announce the conclusion of the Open Restitution Africa project.

Six years ago, in the midst of a global pandemic, ORA was founded on the understanding that restitution knowledge was siloed, informally held, and largely absent

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

None of this would have been possible without the significant community of practice that has stood alongside ORA since 2020: research fellows, cultural practitioners, museum professionals, scholars, artists, policymakers, and the many institutions and individuals who contributed

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

In our final data story 'Climbing Beyond' we illustrate how the crucial work of restoring what was lost requires trust, endurance and appreciation that the most vital work happens in the shadows.

Read it on our website https://t.co/rx7YCaHSG5

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

While the physical return of cultural heritage back to its rightful communities is certainly a significant moment, return is just the tip of the iceberg.

Processes of repair and reintegration begin long before the physical return and continue long after.

[Phumzile Nombuso Twala @PHUMIT]

I thoroughly enjoyed co-developing this with Mam' Victoria Phiri. 🫶🏿 💫

I hope it's a useful resource for African practitioners in Restitution.

S/O to the @OpenRestitution team!

[Phumzile Nombuso Twala @PHUMIT]

A brilliant guide to building restitution frameworks 💯

Download it via the @OpenRestitution website!

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

The guide offers practical advice on pre-fieldwork preparation, ethical data collection, and navigating local political contexts.

We hope that this resource serves as a toolkit to promote accountability and transparency in restitution https://t.co/GviKTX7J3b

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

We are extremely pleased to launch our latest publication, 'Field Work Guide For Restitution Pracititioners in Africa'.

Developed in collaboration with the formidable Victoria Phiri, Director Livingstone Museum, Zambia https://t.co/GviKTX7J3b

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

For Whom and For What Purpose? A Position Paper on Digital Humanities and AI in African Studies

Read it in full here - https://t.co/Apu9z4ppuf

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

No one summits alone. Solo climbers in the restitution journey often have to wear many hats and do a lot of heavy lifting to cover the same ground similar to that of collaborating groups.

Read the full data story here - https://t.co/CYVVjJ7Wpl

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

In 1957, the Tukah Mask, a sacred embodiment from the Bamendou community in Western Cameroon was taken by a French doctor.

It would take another 61 years before community members knew where the mask was and even then, a request to return the mask was denied

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

Our case study data indicates that significant breakthroughs in restitution processes share a common ingredient – a chorus of voices comprising different actors playing different roles, who come together to work towards repair and restoration.

[Reform Initiatives @reforminitiate]

It’s happening tomorrow.

Can restitution and reparations move beyond separate agendas towards a common agenda for reparative justice?

On Wednesday, 16 September, @reforminitiate, African Futures Lab, @OpenRestitution and @LawyersofAfrica will bring together practitioners and advocates working across culture, law, reparations and public mobilisation to explore what meaningful repair requires, and what must follow the return of cultural heritage.

Restitution and Reparations: Towards a Common Agenda for Reparative Justice

🗓 16 September 2026
⏰ 1:30 PM GMT | 3:30 PM CET | 4:30 PM EAT

🎙 Speakers:
@Makmid | @ChaoTayiana | Molemo Moiloa | Liliane Umubyeyi, PhD | Ruth Ogbewekon

Moderator: Lavender Namdiero

🔗 Join the conversation: https://t.co/v7QsIfB81D

Tomorrow, we ask what it means to move from separate tracks to a common agenda for justice.

#ReparatoryJustice #RestitutionAndReparations #ReformInitiatives #AfricanHeritage #Restitution #CulturalHeritage

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

This Wednesday, 16th September, Open Restitution Africa along with other partners will convene a public webinar to explore the relationship between restitution and reparations.

Join us online 2.30 GMT I 3.30PM CET I 4.30pm EAT.

Register Here - https://t.co/MegW5TpUfT

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

By integrating insights from our advocacy campaigns, research and collaborative engagements we sought to address the shared challenges in restitution policy-making.

Download it here today 👇🏿

https://t.co/RKSlEGYZEB

[Open Restitution Africa @OpenRestitution]

We are pleased to publish our latest insight- An African Practitioner's Guide To Building Restitution Frameworks

This resource aims to equip practitioners with the tools to build Africa-centred restitution governance frameworks, and empower stakeholders to start where they are