JOURNAL ARTICLE

Reinventing the archive in Africa: Mati Diop's Dahomey (2024).

  • Published In: Memory Studies, 2026, v. 19, n. 1. P. 65 1 of 3

  • Database: Psychology Source 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Keresztesi, Rita 3 of 3

Abstract

This article analyzes the documentary film *Dahomey* (2024) by Mati Diop, which centers on the 2021 restitution of 26 Royal Treasures of Abomey from France to Benin. The film engages with broader debates on the restitution of African cultural heritage, framing it as a decolonial act that seeks to repair historical and ongoing ruptures caused by colonial looting and displacement. By giving voice to the artifacts and incorporating perspectives from Beninese university students, the film highlights tensions between political elites and younger generations regarding the partial nature of restitution and the need for deeper reparations beyond symbolic returns. The article situates *Dahomey* within scholarly discussions on archives, memory, and reparations, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting stolen cultural objects to their communities as part of a future-oriented process of healing and identity reconstruction.

Additional Information

  • Source:Memory Studies. 2026/02, Vol. 19, Issue 1, p65
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:1750-6980
  • DOI:10.1177/17506980251397874
  • Accession Number:191515725
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