It is an ideal weather when it's cold and rainy to visit a museum. That's what we decided to do. I know the museum since 1959 when I had been moved to Belgium by my parents. The German school was not so far so we often went there and were sitting in this boat which was just exposed at the entrance and had a lot of fun with the masks and the statues. Nobody had told us the history of the museum and we didn't think any further.
Leopold II the second King of Belgium had bought the Congo for himself and when he died he gave it to the Belgian State. The museum was built with the intention to show the white Belgian people the animals, people, masks etc. He died before the works were completed, and it was King Albert I who inaugurated the museum on 30 April 1910. At that time nobody went on holidays to Africa and had no idea of what was living there. The Museum was called Museum of the Belgian Congo.
After it's renovation which lasted 5 years it became the "African Museum". It is not concentrated on the Congo anymore and lots of artifacts which had been stolen were returned to the Congo. You can read the whole history of this museum here
The poor pangolin was suspected to have brought us the Corona Virus. In Africa it is an appreciated food
The stuffed animals must be very old as they were there already at the inauguration by King Albert I
The building is very impressive. Lots of interesting things to see inside the museum and a good choice on a rainy day.
ReplyDeleteAs Marie says, it's a very impressive building. I doubt you would be allowed to sit in the boat now. I've never thought about "unknown origin", and what you say makes sense. A problem with returning items stolen from underdeveloped countries is they won't be cared for very well.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear some of the artefacts have already made their way back to the country of origin. But there still seems plenty left to see.
ReplyDeleteThe elephant looks OK, but your mask is under the nose:)
ReplyDeleteRainy days are very good for exploring museums and suchlike. Imagine that you used to go in there so may years ago! YOu could give a history lesson...and maybe be a curator??!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time there, with your friend.