Politics of the Dead: Repatriation Right of African Human Remains Outside Africa

Abstract

The colonial era in Africa led to the exploitation of resources and cultural heritage, with human remains being forcibly taken and displayed in European museums, used for anthropological research, or traded.This desecration eroded the living population's sense of identity, culture, and access to the remains of their ancestors and heroes who fought for independence.As African nations gained independence in the mid-twentieth century, they began reclaiming their looted heritage through heritage restoration agreements.Today, African nations are advocating for the fundamental right to repatriate human remains, cultural artifacts, and historical bone collections displayed in foreign countries.This research delves into the complex issues surrounding the acquisition of historical human remains and the motivations behind collecting them during colonial times, exploring the ethical, cultural, and political sensitivities associated with this process.It also investigates international laws, conventions, and ongoing initiatives that have facilitated the repatriation of human remains to their respective countries and ethnic communities of origin.