Manchester Museum has launched a groundbreaking new gallery designed to confront the controversial colonial history of its vast African collection. The Africa Hub, unveiled on Friday 19 December 2025, will display thousands of artefacts, many of which were acquired through trade, confiscation, and looting during the era of the British Empire.
A Collection Shrouded in Colonial History
The museum holds an astonishing over 40,000 African objects, the majority of which have historically been kept away from public view in storage. The new initiative directly addresses the problematic origins of these items. Sylvia Mgbeahurike, a co-creator from the Igbo Community Greater Manchester, starkly summarised the collection's background, stating that while some items were given, others were stolen or taken forcefully.
Sparkling a Global Conversation on Restitution
The primary goal of the Africa Hub is to ignite a vital public conversation. It asks fundamental questions about ownership and cultural heritage: should these artefacts be returned to their communities of origin, or can they be shared in innovative, collaborative ways? The museum is actively seeking public input to help identify items and guide future decisions. This move aligns with intensifying global calls for Western institutions to return looted cultural property and ancestral remains, seen as a crucial step in reparations for the legacies of colonialism and slavery.
Seeking Answers for Objects of Unknown Origin
A significant challenge highlighted by the exhibition is the sheer number of artefacts with unclear provenance. By bringing these items into the open, the museum acknowledges past wrongs and opens a participatory dialogue about their future. The Africa Hub represents a shift in museum practice, from being a silent keeper of contested history to becoming a platform for transparent discussion and potential restitution.
The launch positions Manchester at the heart of a pressing international ethical debate, challenging visitors to consider the true meaning of justice and reconciliation in the display of global heritage.
