Togotreasurehouse

A museum founded by a Chinese collector in the small West African nation opens the vast world of African art to both local and foreign visitors

Stepping into the courtyard of the international Museum of African Art (MIAA), in the Togolese capital of Lomé, is akin to taking a trip to a magical and mysterious world. You suddenly find yourself immersed in hundreds of artworks of all shapes and materials, coming from remote villages all over Africa.

“It is definitely the most interesting sight in Lomé. It is far superior to the dusty old National Museum!” said Richard James, a recent visitor there from the United States.

Located not far from the shores of the Gulf of Guinea, MIAA opened its doors in 2012 and quickly became a must-see attraction in the Togolese capital. Visitors can admire one of the finest African folk art collections in the region, including ancestral figurines from Mali, terracotta statues from Nigeria, wooden sculptures from Chad, and sacred artifacts from the Democratic Republic of the Congo - some of which date back to the 10th century.

However, what most astonishes visitors in the museum is not so much the diversity of artworks, but rather the fact that the entire collection belongs to a Chinese man, who is also the owner of the museum.

“Visitors are very surprised when they learn this. It seems to them that it is an inconceivable fact that a Chinese can take such an interest in African culture!” Mélougnim Pesse, 27, who worked as a guide at MIAA, told Chinafrica. imagined back in China.

“During my first weekend in Africa, I went to an art market, and it was then that I understood just how deep African art is, although it remains misunderstood. African sculpture in particular is a marvel of artistic treasures! It influenced a large number of world-class artists, including Picasso,” said Xie.

While voraciously reading books on African arts, Xie forged bonds of friendship with Togolese craftsmen, and began to collect artworks. This is how his private collection came into being, a passion that eventually became a vocation.

“Some of the artworks were found during my in-depth research into reclusive tribes, some were bought on the art collector market, and others were created and designed by exceptional craftsmen in our own African art workshop,” said Xie.

Once he had collected several hundred creations, the only thing missing was a suitable place to exhibit them. Using his personal savings, as well as generous donations given by family members and friends, Xie acquired a former art museum in 2012. This is how MIAA was born.

“My goal in establishing this museum was to preserve the ancient African cultural heritage, as well as to present this heritage to the interested public, especially to students and tourists,” said Xie.

The museum, which consists of three rooms and an adjacent workshop, is now visited by tourists from all over the world, as well as by researchers, government delegations, and even distinguished guests such as Togolese Minister of Communication, Culture, Sports and Civic Education Guy Madjé Lorenzo and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

“European tourists who come here have only praise for the beauty of the place. Many visitors do not want to leave, and some even ask us if they can spend the night here!” Xie said.