New Perspectives on Collections Management at the Musée National du Burkina Faso

Abstract The Musée National de Burkina Faso - MNB (National Museum of Burkina Faso) was one of the first museums founded in West Africa in the wake of regional independence movements. Having long borne the consequences of geographical and institutional nomadism, the museum is now built on an area of 29 hectares in the heart of Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou. Although today its storage rooms seem to meet standards for the conservation of collections, further efforts need to be made. This case study develops a historical approach to understanding the evolution of the National Museum and its collections, particularly through the lens of storage management. It leads to new perspectives around the museum, particularly with regard to the inclusion of Living Human Treasures to its programmes. In addition, in a national context marked by multiple terrorist attacks that have led to the destruction of heritage, the role of the National Museum in the conservation of movable heritage from other museums deserves to be questioned.