Museum of Black Civilizations: art and culture in Dakar

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Opened in December 2018, the Museum of Black Civilizations (MCN) in Dakar has become in just a few years a major hub of the African and international cultural scene. Its circular design, inspired by traditional African huts, houses nearly 15,000 m² of exhibition space capable of displaying up to 18,000 items, with a journey spanning from prehistory to contemporary creation.
Conceived as early as the 1960s by Léopold Sédar Senghor, it continues today the ambitious goal of offering, in the heart of Dakar, a space where Africans and their diasporas can tell their own story—outside the colonial lens—and affirm the centuries-old richness of Black cultures.

Genesis and mission of the museum

The idea of a pan-African museum dates back to the post-independence period, during the first World Festival of Black Arts in 1966. But it was only in the early 2010s, under the presidencies of Abdoulaye Wade and then Macky Sall, that the project was revived, leading to a construction largely financed by China.
The MCN aims to present “Africa’s contribution to the world’s cultural and scientific heritage,” from iron metallurgy to contemporary art, while also working on identity and heritage promotion, particularly regarding the restitution of African cultural property.
It is a place where African narratives are told by Africans, for Africans and for the whole world.

Symbolic architecture

The museum impresses from the outside:

Architecture: Monumental and circular, the building echoes the impluvium-style huts of Casamance. At the top, a skylight emphasizes the centrality of the community and ancestors.
Dimensions: 14,000 to 15,000 m², spread over 4 to 5 levels, with nearly 5,000 m² dedicated to exhibitions.
Materials: Facades of perforated metal panels inspired by African arts, open circulation atrium, 150-seat auditorium, modular spaces, and panoramic terrace.

Collections and exhibitions

The Origins of Humanity: Fossils, tools, reconstructed prehistoric scenes to emphasize that Africa is the true cradle of humanity.
Arts and Traditions: Masks, statues, textiles, jewelry, ritual objects illustrating the creativity and diversity of the continent, from Morocco to Southern Africa.
Africa and the Diaspora: Space dedicated to historical, cultural, and religious ties with the Americas, the Caribbean, and Europe, highlighting Black music (jazz, reggae, mbalax…).
Contemporary Art: Regular temporary exhibitions showcasing African and Afro-descendant creators, both established and emerging, reflecting the vitality of the continent.

The museum also hosts conferences, screenings, and educational events, making it a center for dialogue and artistic innovation.

Cultural and identity role

The MCN is much more than a heritage showcase:

Place of Memory, connected with Gorée and the issue of cultural restitution.
Educational Space: school visits, student programs, scientific and artistic workshops.
Platform for Dialogue: seminars, conferences, and festivals contribute to the vision of an “African renaissance,” dear to Senghor and embraced by a new generation of intellectuals, scientists, creators, and visitors from across the continent.

Anecdotes and highlights

After its inauguration, the museum hosted a major exhibition on African masks, bringing together for the first time pieces from Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
The museum was selected by Time magazine as “one of the 100 places to see in the world” upon its opening.
Visitors are sometimes greeted by slam poets, dancers, or griots, highlighting that oral tradition is an integral part of living African culture.

What to do at the Museum of Black Civilizations?

Explore the permanent exhibitions: a centuries-spanning journey through African culture.
Discover temporary exhibitions, often innovative and focused on modern art.
Attend an event: screenings, debates, concerts, or workshops open to all.
Admire the architecture and stroll on the terrace or in the atrium.
Combine with a visit to the Médina, Gorée, or the nearby Sandaga market.

Practical information

Location: Dakar Plateau, near the TER station and Soweto Square.
Access: taxi or TER train to Dakar station.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, usually 9 am–6 pm, closed on Monday.
Admission: 5,000 FCFA (approx. €8) for foreigners, 2,000 FCFA for nationals, reduced rates for youth and school groups.
Tips: Allow 2–3 hours, use an audio guide if available, request a guided tour (FR/ENG).
Services: auditorium, cloakroom.