On March 31, the research initiative Open Restitution Africa (ORA) launched the ORA Open Data Platform, a database providing information on the restitution of African artifacts and ancestral remains. Developed over six years by ORA’s all-woman, pan-African team, the site uses case histories and AI-powered tools to offer practical insights into the return process, available in French and English. It presents 25 case histories spanning 200 years, using data visualizations, essays, and interactive tools to help individuals and communities develop their own restitution strategies. ARTnews interviewed founders Chao Tayiana Maina and Molemo Moiloa about the project's origins and goals.
This matters because the restitution of African cultural heritage has long been hindered by a lack of accessible, centralized information. By making the complex restitution process transparent and understandable, ORA empowers African communities, educators, activists, and researchers to advocate for and navigate the return of looted artifacts. The platform addresses a critical knowledge gap, shifting the power dynamic from Western institutions holding the data to African stakeholders who can now develop informed strategies for reclaiming their heritage.