How have African heads of state, government officials, or political activists considered the political role of heritage in Africa and the diasporas? In what ways have they affected the meanings attributed to objects and their trajectories? How do popular practices inform, or refute these conceptions? The contributions gathered in this special issue denaturalize, question and put in motion the meanings attributed to iconic or little-known objects — museum pieces, diplomatic gifts, mascarades, film reels or 'customary objects'. They pay particular attention to the negotiations and tensions at work that have an impact on their (often transnational) trajectories, by also making room for the demands and stakes of restitution. They question the political and gendered involvement of objects —well beyond museums— in their circulation, use but also disappearance and violent appropriation, within various arenas, since the 18th century until today.
With contributions by Honoré Tchatchouang Ngoupeyou, Claudie Haxaire, Gaëlle Beaujean, Coline Desportes, Andrea Ceriana Mayneri, Cresa L. Pugh, Flora Losch, Saskia Cousin, Sara Tassi, Madina Yêhouétomé, Alexandre Girard-Muscagorry and Marian Nur Goni.