Manchester Museum has unveiled thousands of African artifacts while openly acknowledging it knows “little to nothing” about the origins of many of them. Displayed in the new Africa Hub, the objects—collected during the British Empire through trade, conquest, and looting—highlight missing histories rather than polished narratives. Curators say the aim is transparency, inviting the public to confront gaps in museum records and debate how such items should be shown, shared, or returned. Co-curated with Igbo Community Greater Manchester, the exhibition also centers diaspora voices, stressing reconnection, inclusivity, and shared heritage. The project reframes the museum as a starting point for dialogue, not an authority with all the answers.
BBC