People, places and plunder: Diasporas and the restitution of looted heritage

Recently, calls for the return of colonial-era plunder from Western institutions have surged. Many museums have initiated restitution processes, while others oppose it. This project explores how diaspora communities engage with, shape, and are shaped by the restitution debate. It focuses on diasporas from India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia—countries of origin for some of the most iconic looted objects—living in places where these objects are retained. The project draws on interviews with diaspora members and other key actors and also analyzes news reports, social media, and museum displays where claims over cultural objects, identities, representation, and historical narratives are made and resisted.