Contribution short abstract:

This paper examines an ongoing project at the National Museum of Scotland focused on the participatory reactivation of the Jean Jenkins' Ethiopian sound archive. Through this case study, it reflects on the evolving role of museums in shaping more inclusive and democratic futures.

Contribution long abstract:

Between the 1960s and 1970s, ethnomusicologist Jean Jenkins documented Ethiopia’s musical heritage. While some of her sound recordings were published, the majority of them have remained largely inaccessible to custodial communities and the public for over 50 years. Today, these recordings are the focus of a reactivation project at the National Museum of Scotland. The project seeks to amplify Ethiopian voices through participatory initiatives, engaging both local Ethiopian communities and the diaspora in the UK.

This paper explores the project's objectives and challenges, using it as a case study to examine how museums and archives can act as agents of unlearning imperialism. By challenging entrenched colonial perspectives and engaging the Ethiopian diaspora in the reinterpretation of cultural heritage, the project invites critical reflection on how these institutions can 'unwrite' dominant historical discourses and reshape narratives about Africa.

Although Jenkins’ collection was not a direct product of colonialism, its location within a Western institution evokes dynamics similar to colonial archives, raising questions about the neutrality of archives. This project challenges these assumptions, emphasizing the importance of participatory approaches in the study and dissemination of African sound archives. By reinterpreting these recordings as creative resources rather than merely documentary ones, the project demonstrates their potential to foster cultural resilience and contribute to decolonizing heritage knowledge, while also opening a dialogue on the evolving role of museums and archives in shaping more inclusive and democratic futures.