Decolonizing African Art History in Burkina Faso: New Perspectives and Methodologies

Recent scholarship in African art history has predominantly focused on colonial legacies and Western interpretations of traditional African arts. This study seeks to decolonize such narratives by exploring new perspectives and methodologies within Burkina Faso, a country rich in cultural diversity. This comparative study employs ethnographic fieldwork in collaboration with local communities, archival research, and participatory methodologies to gather data. The approach emphasizes active involvement of African scholars and artists in defining research questions and outcomes. Community-led projects have revealed previously undocumented artistic traditions and oral histories that challenge established narratives. A notable finding is the significant proportion (over 50%) of traditional art forms not recognised by Western scholarship, highlighting the need for more inclusive methodologies. The study underscores the importance of decolonizing African art history to foster a more comprehensive understanding of cultural heritage and artistic expression within Burkina Faso and beyond. These findings advocate for greater inclusivity in research methods and scholarly engagement. Recommendation is to integrate community-led projects into academic curricula and funding mechanisms, ensuring that they are not only participatory but also ethically sound and culturally sensitive. Decolonization, African art history, Burkina Faso, Community-led research, Oral histories