Feb 10 β€’ 10:36 UTC 🌍 Africa RFI Afrique (FR)

"Relooted": a video game to take back the looted African heritage from Western museums

The video game "Relooted" allows players to virtually reclaim African artifacts that have been taken to Western museums.

"Relooted," set to release on February 10, 2026, is a video game developed by the South African studio Nyamakop that focuses on the theme of reclaiming African heritage. The game features various African artifacts, such as the Yehoti mask from Burkina Faso, Ishango sticks from the Congo, and Ngadji drums from Kenya, which are currently housed in Western museums. Players take on the roles of a team of 'Robin Hoods' from Africa aiming to recover these stolen artifacts through strategic planning and agility in a heist-style gameplay.

One of the game's key questions poses a moral dilemma: "Is it really theft if it was already stolen?" This provocative idea resonates with discussions around cultural appropriation and the repatriation of artifacts to their countries of origin. By framing the game around this narrative, "Relooted" not only entertains but also raises awareness about the ongoing issues of cultural heritage and the colonial history behind the possession of these artifacts.

The launch of "Relooted" could have significant implications for the conversation surrounding repatriation. By engaging players in this interactive format, it might inspire a wider audience to understand the importance of returning cultural items to their rightful homes and prompt a reevaluation of how museums curate and display artifacts from colonized regions. In a broader context, such games can serve as both entertainment and advocacy tools in the fight against cultural injustice.

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