The Museum of Black Civilizations of Dakar

Imagined by Léopold Sédar Senghor (first president of Senegal) at the end of the first World Festival of Negro Arts in 1966, its construction was announced by Abdoulaye Wade (president of the Republic from 2000 to 2012), and its inauguration took place on 6 December 2018 by President Macky Sall (President of the Republic from 2012 to 2024).   

Financed and built by China, the building has a round shape inspired by the impluvium huts of Casamance (southern region of Senegal which borders the Casamance River). The premises cover an area of ​​13,785 m2 on 4 levels.    
 
Regarding the scientific and cultural program, the general director of the museum, Hamady Bocoum, archaeologist and researcher, states unequivocally that the Museum of Black Civilizations does not follow any exogenous model. He takes his own path. 

The collections consist of 18,000 pieces.

Even if it is neither an ethnographic museum nor an institution based on nostalgia, objects which have strong symbolism have been chosen to be exhibited. For example, the skull of Toumaï, the oldest ancestor of man known to date.

Furthermore, in complementarity with history and heritage, the Museum of Black Civilizations is also part of contemporaneity thanks to its collaboration with artists and other contemporary creators. 

M.A.