The involvement of source communities is now widely recognised as essential in initiatives for the restitution of African heritage objects and the repatriation of the remains of elders.
However, the methods for gathering and promoting local knowledge in a respectful, rigorous and collaborative manner remain complex to define and implement.
Furthermore, oral sources, although indispensable, are still struggling to gain full legitimacy in some scientific circles when compared with written documents.
Admittedly, they pose major linguistic and cultural challenges, particularly in terms of avoiding distortions caused by inadequate translations.
This study day explores the methodological, ethical and societal issues involved in collecting and preserving oral and material archives in relation to source communities.
By bringing together researchers, archivists, cultural players and activists, the aim is to cross-disciplinary approaches in order to value these stories in all their diversity and to reflect on respectful and ethical practices.
