Who decides where cultural objects belong? And what happens when the stories behind them are erased or ignored?
Across many African countries, the impact of colonialism is still deeply felt — but often overlooked. Calls for restitution and reparation are growing louder, yet many former colonial powers continue to hold on to looted cultural treasures. Artists and performers are helping to bring hidden and silenced colonial legacies back into view. Through their work, they reveal not only what was taken — such as land, resources, and wealth — but also shed light on the deep spiritual and emotional loss that continues to affect communities today.
Together with guests including Buhle Ngaba, a multi-award-winning South African actor and writer, curator Richard Kofi explores what restitution truly means. What is needed to move beyond legal or material compensation toward spiritual healing and meaningful restoration?
This programme is part of the performance BLING!. Combitickets for both the programme and the performance afterwards can be purchased.
The Cullinan, the largest diamond in the world was excavated in South Africa in 1905. Yet it was cut in Amsterdam and traded under pressure to the English royal family. Many South Africans want the Cullinan back. Actress Buhle Ngaba dreams of succeeding.
Over Afrovibes Festival
Afrovibes Festival brengt voorstellingen met dans, theater en muziek van actuele Afrikaanse dans- en theatermakers. Het zijn makers die vanuit een Afrikaans perspectief artistiek vorm geven aan actuele vragen en thema’s die ook bij ons leven en daar een eigenzinnige visie op hebben. Over wie we zijn, wat we willen zijn en hoe we met elkaar zijn verbonden. Afrovibes onderscheidt zich als een festival dat makers uit Afrika en de Afrikaanse diaspora in Nederland samenbrengt.
Speakers
Afrovibes 5 October
Inspired by the powerful Afrovibes performance I AM, this panel explores the legacies of queerness within African diasporic communities in the Netherlands.
In this powerful theater- en dance performance, Tandile Mbatsha (x) takes us back to their childhood. As children in rural South Africa, they had to search for their identity and how to belong. Tandile Mbatsha stages both the theme of legacy and belonging by involving their biological father and mother in the performance.
