Overcoming contemporary barriers and controversies in decolonization. Reflections on African cultural heritage in Western and African museums.

The decolonization movement has prompted cultural heritage museums worldwide to critically reexamine the ways they collect, curate and historically narrate cultural artifacts. While notable initiatives have emerged, from repatriation programs to community-driven exhibitions, the term “decolonization” itself remains deeply contested and ambiguous, carrying a buzzing ring to it. This chapter critically interrogates what is truly at stake in the decolonization process: are we witnessing a genuine transformation in practice, a foundational change, or merely shifts in rhetoric and the strategic rebranding of established norms?Through two cases with critical reflections — one interrogating decolonial efforts in Western museums, the other addressing decolonial efforts in African museums themselves — the chapter explores the intersecting issues of repatriation, curatorial authority, community participation, and the enduring influence of colonial epistemologies. It argues that while surface-level reforms have generated positive visibility, deeper challenges persist, often masked by the language of inclusivity and reconciliation.This chapter aims to contribute to a more globally inclusive understanding of decolonization in museums by uniquely examining African cultural heritage in both Western and African contexts together. It contends that without addressing underlying foundational issues— including asymmetries of power, control over narratives, and the political economy of heritage institutions — beyond geographical and institutional barriers, the discourse risks devolving into little more than tokenism and a conceptual placeholder. In doing so, the chapter contributes to the broader project of imagining what a decolonized, globally just museum might look like. Ultimately, it invites reflection on how museums might reimagine their roles: not as custodians of people’s historical and cultural heritage, but as participants in cultural repair, restitution, and future-making.Keywords – decolonization, cultural heritage, rhetoric, inclusiveness, historical narratives, transforming heritage, cognitive dissonance, community-driven