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Dissertation Information for Abenyega Abedze

NAME:
- Abenyega Abedze

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- University of California, Los Angeles (USA) (1997)

ADVISORS:
- Merrick Posnansky

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Christopher Ehret
- Donald J. Cosentino

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Collectors, collections and exhibitions: The history of museums in francophone West Africa

Abstract: This study examines about a century of museum history in West Africa. In French West Africa, until 1960, all museums were established under the auspices of the Institute Francais d'Afrique Noire (IFAN). IFAN was the scientific research organ of the French colonial enterprise in West Africa. In view of this, one cannot study the history of museums without examining French interests in West Africa and the role of museums in accomplishing them. Collections do not happen to be in museums by historical accidents, their location, their enigmatic nature and their "otherness" are the results of historical process. Understanding this process involves determining how the collections were constituted historically and the role of museums vis a vis the social construction of knowledge.

Most studies of the colonial history of Africa focused primarily on the political implications of colonialism or dealt separately with culture. It appears easy to chastise colonialism for political oppression or economic exploitation but we cannot assume without reproach that scientific and cultural institutions during the same era were politically or economically neutral. On the other hand, to admit that the sole purpose of museums in West Africa was to serve colonialism will be an overstatement. Thus, this study explores the dynamics of culture and colonialism in the specific context of museums in French West Africa from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. It critically examines collectors, collections and exhibitions, the prelude to formal museum institutions, and by studying the scholarly and intellectual milieu that led to their emergence.

This study shows that the museum is intimately tied to the political and the social dynamics of the state. The perception and evaluation of the museum varies between social classes and individual groups. Whereas IFAN researchers considered the museum as an information and cultural center, the colonial government saw it as a propaganda tool and a window to imperial possessions, and at independence the African elite appropriated the museum to become a medium of nationalist cultural affirmations. These findings are supported by archival documents, material culture and oral history.

MPACT Scores for Abenyega Abedze

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-10-14 05:37:02

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Students under Abenyega Abedze

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None