The museum was an idea proposed by Senegal's first president Léopold Sédar Senghor over 50 years ago, and became a reality in 2015. For its sprawling size, the museum didn’t offer exhibitions worthy of its 14000 sqm. All exhibitions, accept for the one of African woman leaders one, are in French. So non-French speakers will not find value, especially if you love to interact with the knowledge museums offer. The terrible irony is that a colonizer’s language is dominant at the expense of Senegalese languages, let alone African languages. Very disappointing to see an exclusionary approach from space build with such grand ambitions such as decolonizing African knowledge. The Art collection was promising but couldn’t make up for the short comings of the experience. The “Hall of Fame” as you enter shows no curation but is instead reminiscent of restaurant walls with pictures of famous people. The historical artifacts were also thin with poor storytelling. Museums with less ambitions have done a better job. There isn’t even a use of technology to support access for diverse audiences. Overall the experience was a disappointment for a museum that is about Black Civilisation. It is a sad attempt and fails to honour the rich history and contribution of the people of this continent. This museum made me angry for the poor work done.

A decent general purpose cultural and art museum that's good for a cca. 2-hour visit. The building is grandiose and the exhibitions are well spaced out, but the signage leaves a lot to be desired to anyone, whether they speak French or not. The curation is pretty random and without a clear direction. I liked the contemporary and folk art sections more than the history ones.

This a truly remarquable place. A place to learn Black history and cultures. You missed out if you made it to Dakar without visiting the Musée des Civilisations Noires.

Really cool building, amazing art, unfortunately no English translations (to be expected) but still worth a visit.

Really nice museum with a good amount of collections to look through. The total tour should take around 1-2h depending on your speed. The new entrance fees are 3k for adults and 500 for students.

What a special experience, learning the depth of African civilization. We do not received this type of information in the States..

I think the best part of the museum was literally the first part, which was the area with the skeletons. As for November of 2022 the price of one person's ticket is 3000cfa unless you're a Senegalese student, then it is 2000cfa

One of the best museums you enjoy and learn many apects of Senegal and other western countries history, culture, and more. Very clean inside facilities including well maintained toilets are good.

It was such an amazing visit! I particularly loved the contemporary exhibition with works from young African artists.

This place is awesome 👌 👏 They workers are amazing, and it really tells something special

(Translated by Google) Very interesting. Thank you for this museum (Original) Très intéressant. Merci pour se musée

Amazing experience! A must for anyone who wants to truly see the beauty of African artistry and culture. There is a wall that give homage to all the women heads of state, Leaders, activists and revolutionaries. You would not believe how numerous they are!!!

The experience at this museum is more than average. I was there for the Leonardo DaVinci expo earlier this year. Nothing negative to talk about ! I definitely recommend visiting.

Stellar museum exhibitions. Dive deep into the African Art experience.

Huge building, consists of 3 floors of exhibitions. A mix of old and new art, political facts, women's rights, architecture, industry and culture Huge building nut not used to it's full capacity, to say the least There are toilets but no bar or restaurant. We were 2 of 5 visitors You can see most in about 1 hour, not reading every panel that is

The lower level of the museum is good, but the sections on contemporary art upstairs are outstanding.

Great museum to learn more about our origins and some interesting temporary exhibitions. The building itself is really nice!

Surprisingly, a world class museum nestled away in Dakar. Architecturally impressive with an excellent range of exhibitions. Well worth a visit - you could easily spend up to 2hrs here.

Great museum, very high standard ! Next to national theatre and dakar train station. But too bad most signs are only in French!!!!

(Translated by Google) I did not see the museum in front but by image and I saw memorable statutes to the black civilization ❤ (Original) J'ai pas vu la musée en face mais par image et j'ai vu des statuts mémorables à la civilisation noire ❤

(Translated by Google) Unmissable place with beautiful architecture (Original) Lieu incontournable avec une belle architecture

(Translated by Google) Museum of Black Civilizations (Original) Musée des Civilisations Noires

(Translated by Google) It was super nice (Original) C'était super sympa

(Translated by Google) This museum is a major institution in our Cultural Infrastructure. From an architectural point of view it is magnificent, it is functional and we needed it. I hope that other institutions responsible for managing and safeguarding our collective memory will follow this achievement. (Original) Ce musée est une institution majeure dans notre Infrastructure culturelle. D'un point de vue architectural il est magnifique, il est fonctionnel et nous en avions besoin. J'espère que d'autres institutions chargées de la gestion et de la sauvegarde de notre mémoire collective suivront cette réalisation.

(Translated by Google) Following the successive independence of the former colonies of the continent, several voices have emerged with the desire to launch a project that brings together all the countries of Africa. It was about bringing all these peoples together around a common goal so that they could assert themselves on the international scene, excluding the remnants of European colonialism. The idea of ​​a museum as the keystone of this goal. It was then proposed in 1966 in Dakar during the first World Festival of Negro Arts by Léopold Sédar Senghor, intellectual and president of Senegal from 1960 to 1980. He wanted to implement this African cultural project in Senegal itself, therefore provoking strong criticism. among the representatives of the Pan-African movement. (Original) Suite aux indépendances successives des anciennes colonies du continent, plusieurs voix ont émergé avec la volonté de lancer un projet qui réunisse tous les pays d’Afrique. Il s'agissait de rassembler tous ces peuples autour d’un but commun pour qu’ils puissent s’affirmer sur la scène internationale, en excluant les restes de colonialisme européen. L’idée d’un musée comme clé de voûte de cet objectif . Elle est ensuite proposée en 1966 à Dakar lors du premier Festival mondial des arts nègres par Léopold Sédar Senghor, intellectuel et président du Sénégal de 1960 à 1980. Il souhaite mettre en œuvre ce projet culturel africain au Sénégal même, provoquant dès lors de vives critiques parmi les représentants du mouvement panafricain.

(Translated by Google) The Museum of Black African Civilizations provides a setting for artists who wish to exhibit their works to the public. In a context where the restitution of African works of art makes the headlines, such an infrastructure is essential and even vital for the conservation and exhibition of works that will be returned to Africa. This place is highly symbolic and allows us to be in contact with the works of our continent. In any case, I felt great pride when I walked through the doors of this museum for the first time. (Original) Le musée des civilisations d Afrique noire offre un cadre pour les artistes qui souhaitent exposer leurs œuvres au public. Dans un contexte où la restitution des œuvres d art Africains fait la une une telle infrastructure est essentielle et même vitale pour la conservation et l exposition des œuvres qui seront restituées à l’Afrique. Ce lieu est hautement symbolique et nous permet d être en contact avec les œuvres de notre continent. En tout cas j ai ressenti une grande fierté quand j ai franchi pour la première fois les portes de ce musée.

(Translated by Google) A very informative setting with a lot of things to discover on the history of Africa. Must visit (Original) Un cadre très instructif avec énormément de choses à découvrir sur l'histoire de l'Afrique. A visiter impérativement

Very apt & detailed history of Mankind from millions of years ago and until now. With focus on African civilization & culture, this place offers complete stories regarding to the Nubian culture that spreads across the world.

Visited there with my family and friends. If you ever get the chance to go stop by and 👀 the museum.

A very modern Museum . Enjoyed it and learned a lot

Really amazing museum. I particularly loved the art exhibit.

The largest museum in Dakar. The entrance fee is very cheap. I spent 3 hours there. The entrance floor was the part that impressed me the most. You can see the geological, architectural and scientific history of Africa. The chapters are very well thought out, but the material is not very rich. Still, I had an enjoyable time. If you come to Dakara, you should definitely visit it.

The museum is cool. They have casts of hominid fossils and a good collection of masks from various African cultures. On the other hand, the signage is almost entirely in French only and while the building is cool, it is also half empty. It's a nice place to visit and hopefully they grow their collections to make it even better.

Nice exhibit not very large, but it has a section on women in political leadership that was well done. The museum is worth a stop if you are in Dakar. Note most of the exhibits placards are in French, so this detracted from the experience.

It seems the place is still under construction, nothing interesting to see

This museum is pretty nice and one of the only well-maintained museums in Dakar. The contemporary art upstairs is quite nice.

Mecca of black culture, character and feeling.

This is a world class museum! Beautifully designed, you are led through the beginnings of humanity, important aspects of the African continent & famous representatives of African descent. The 2nd floor is a ‘don’t miss!’. There are fantastic sculptures from many parts of the continent. There is an exhibit devoted to the religions in Africa & and exhibitions of modern art which is as high quality of any I have seen at the Tate Modern. Enjoy! Definitely a top 5 in Dakar.

Nice.

I was there for a end of the year gala for graduates. The place was beautiful and exceptional.

Simply awesome. Please plan for at least a 2 hour visit. But it's worth every second

Very good initiative. Wished the information was translated into English, Portuguese, etc. for other African visitors.

A bit empty but very interesting exhibits

This is a best museum in in Africa... you just need to be there and see to yourself or watch the video on here .

Don't miss this new museum in the center of Dakar.

Very nice and spacious Museum, easy access, with guided visits

Awesome guides.One stop shop to learn about the Negritude movement and balck civilisation and history.Great artefacts from across Africa.

Must see! Beautifully curated.

(Translated by Google) The museum is closed on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 5 p.m. No information, no explanation, either written or oral by the guards. (Original) Le musée est fermé le samedi, 24 octobre 2020 à 17h. Aucune information, aucune explication ni écrite, ni oralement par les gardiens.

(Translated by Google) Very interesting to visit the museum. If you can, take the guided tour, as you won’t miss any details. Inside are impressive pieces from different black civilizations. Also the origin of civilization and human evolution. (Original) Molt interessant fer una visita al museu. Si podeu, feu la visita guiada, ja que no us perdreu cap detall. A dins hi ha peces impressionants de les diferents civilitzacions negres. També l'origen de la civilització i l'evolució humana.

(Translated by Google) A place that takes your stress away (Original) Un lieu qui vous enlève votre stress

(Translated by Google) Extraordinary (Original) Extraordinaire

(Translated by Google) Discovery and conviviality (Original) Découverte et convivialité

(Translated by Google) Place of culture to visit absolutely where African civilization and even world is exposed. This place allows us not only to know our ancestors and our black heroes but also to know the foundation of humanity. (Original) Lieu de culture à visiter absolument où la civilisation Africaine et même mondiale est exposée. Ce lieu nous permet non seulement de connaitre nos ancêtres et nos héros noirs mais aussi de connaitre le fondement de l humanité.

(Translated by Google) Pikine is a holy city (Original) Pikine est un Ville sainte

(Translated by Google) Very well done and successful! To watch again and again. (Original) Tres bien fait et réussi ! A voir et a revoir.

(Translated by Google) A place to visit absolutely. (Original) Un lieu à visiter d'absolument.

(Translated by Google) It is a very beautiful museum with enriching objects which connect us with the past however it is necessary to review the sanitary (Original) C'est un très beau musée avec des objets enrichissants qui nous connectent avec le passé cependant il faut revoir les sanitaires

(Translated by Google) A place full of lessons that I recommend to everyone (Original) Un lieu plein d'enseignements que je conseille à tous le monde

Wonderful

(Translated by Google) Very rewarding as an experience, I recommend it (Original) Très enrichissant comme expérience, je vous le recommande

(Translated by Google) A place where we are well nourished by human history in general and African cultures in particular (Original) Lieu où l'on est bien nourri de l'histoire de l'humanité de manière générale et en particulier des cultures africaines

(Translated by Google) Nice building! Interesting exhibits, but explanations are lacking in the exhibition of masks and sculptures and in the room on the influence of religions (Original) Joli bâtiment! Expos intéressantes, mais les explications manquent dans l‘expo des masques et sculptures et dans la salle sur l‘influence des religions

Revelation

(Translated by Google) At the school of self-learning (Original) A l ecole de l apprentissage de soi

(Translated by Google) African culture broadcast in a room. (Original) La culture africaine émise dans une salle.

Beautifully designed museum, lovely layout and well maintained. Very informative of what was being displayed

(Translated by Google) Historical and multicultural setting to visit (Original) Cadre historique et multiculturel à visiter

(Translated by Google) I was there for the first time in my life but it's really great except that they should not be limited to three floors I think. (Original) J'y étais pour la première fois de ma vie mais c'est top vraiment à part qu'ils devaient pas se limiter à trois étages je pense.

(Translated by Google) Concentration of a magnificent work of art with various themes (Original) Concentration d œuvre d art magnifique lieu avec thèmes variés

(Translated by Google) Very disappointed with this museum, which would benefit from being enriched by numerous exhibits. For my part, I stayed on my hunger. (Original) Très déçu de ce musée qui gagnerait à être enrichi par de nombreuses pièces. Pour moi, je suis resté sur ma faim.

(Translated by Google) Magnificent architecture reminiscent of Casamance's impluvium boxes and their ceiling. Remarkable ground floor. (Original) Magnifique architecture qui rappelle les cases à impluvium de Casamance et leur plafond. Rez de chaussée remarquable.

(Translated by Google) Happy and proud. Alhamdou (Original) Content et fier. Alhamdou

(Translated by Google) All simply magnificent (Original) Tout simplement magnifique

(Translated by Google) Annual Meeting (Original) Réunion annuelle

Beautiful place

(Translated by Google) Very nice place, the setting is just superb (Original) Endroit très agréable, le cadre est juste superbe

(Translated by Google) Magnificent place to visit absolutely, for the architecture and the works which are exposed there. (Original) Lieu magnifique à visiter absolument, pour l'architecture et les œuvres qui y sont exposées.

(Translated by Google) Have a good visit with a guide who knows her area, too bad that many rooms are empty (Original) Bonne visite avec une guide connaissant son domaine, dommage que beaucoup de salle soient vides

(Translated by Google) Very rich but the exhibitions change often (Original) Très riche mais les expositions changent souvent

(Translated by Google) I was very well received (Original) J'ai été très bien accueilli

Overall the museum is very nice. Beautiful architecture. Nice staff. There is still a lot in development so it'll be nice to see it when it's complete. Seeing as that it's the largest museum of Black Civilization I presumed that it was a tourist attraction and, as most museums do, there would be translations in multipled languages or listening devices with tours in multiple languages, but that is incorrect. Everything is in French and there isn't a guidebook or anything to assist so I didn't even know where to start. That leads me to believe it's only targeting French speakers of West Africa and France as visitors. That's very unfortunate. I hoped the diaspora would be able to learn some of our history, but we could only observe without any explanation.

(Translated by Google) Very accessible place with indoor parking (Original) Lieu très accessible avec parking intérieur

Nice museum in terms of structure. No english guides and no audio tours in english and i believe only one art piece showed english translitation.

A lovely place

Wonderful place.

C'était trés interessant

(Translated by Google) Great experience (Original) Belle expérience

(Translated by Google) To revisit (Original) A revisiter

We, Black people, have a beautiful, expansive history, and this museum is the proof. Loved every exhibit.

Interesting objects but poor description. The effort to show 7 million years of human and African development doesn't come across i in an interesting manner. The heart of the exposition are traditional objects that are shown out of context with the rest. The part on local religion is about the big three (Islam, christianism, judaïsme) but leaves animism out , even though until recently the most wide spread and the basis for most artefacts.

(Translated by Google) A very interesting museum where we will really see African civilization (Original) Une musée très intéressante où on verra vraiment la civilisation africaine

(Translated by Google) Beautiful and welcoming (Original) Beau et accueillant

Impressive exhibits. A little bit of everything. I really like the wall of prominent African women.

(Translated by Google) Very good (Original) Très bon

It's pretty amazing

(Translated by Google) I loved the place The architecture of the place Really well done👏🏽 (Original) J’ai adoré l’endroit L’architecture du lieu Vraiment bravo👏🏽

(Translated by Google) Magnificent place and place of artistic and cultural expression ... A place where tradition and modernity come together to promote black civilizations If you spend one day in Dakar take a look and you will see with your own eyes what I have just said (Original) Endroit magnifique et lieu d'expression artistique et culturelle... Un lieu ou se côtoient tradition et modernité pour la promotion des civilisations noires Si vous passez un jour a Dakar faites y un tour et vous verrez de par vos yeux ce que je viens de dire

(Translated by Google) Place to visit, very nice museum, (Original) Endroit à visiter, très belle musée,

(Translated by Google) Informative and to visit (Original) Instructif et à visiter

(Translated by Google) The architecture is beautiful. Here is a building full of history, art and culture. (Original) L'architecture est belle. Voici un batiment plein d'histoire, d'art et de culture.

(Translated by Google) A strong interior decor. Beautiful museum (Original) Un fort décor intérieur. Beau Musée

(Translated by Google) We take an appointment with African culture. It's really inspiring (Original) On y prend Rdv avec la culture africaine. C'est vraiment inspirant

(Translated by Google) Very nice museum (Original) Très beau musée

Really inspiring and insightful. This was my second time but still there are lots left to see. Recommended with to explore with a guide

Very nice place

Impressive and modern museum. Worth a visit!

You will see things about history and the source of modern civilization you’ve never heard, read or seen before.

Very informative if you have a translator!!!! Very beautiful museum, just wish they would have put French and English!!

Fascinating museum of black civilization. Artifacts were well presented. Almost all descriptions are in French.

Phenomenal! Couldn't understand most of the historical stuff on the first floor (it's all in French) but the ancient to modern art on the 2nd floor was incredible!

Build recently, it is still building up it's collection but it is clear they are thoughtful about what they want people to think about. You can guess what's a placeholder by looking at it. It is spacious, clean and bright. The descriptions will get there, I hope to see how this will evolve!

Good part history part art museum not very big only 2 floors but worth a look due to the first floor exhibit on the origins of humans!

Remembering all of the hype around this museum when it was opened, I had great expectations that were not fully met. The ground floor, which is more archeological is completely dry and not at all engaging. The next floor redeems a little, especially with the contemporary arts exhibition and the piece around women in political leadership, but overall there is a lack of interactive features and no statements or information to give more context or background for most of the pieces. I hope that this museum can really do better.

Great Experience Beautiful Building.. The Museum could use more Nostalgic African art pieces in their permanent collection

Liked the description of the evolution of human being and the African migration from millions of years. More newd to be done on the other aspects.

If you like museums, this one is a pleasure. Beautiful displays, wonderful staff. For Americans visiting, it really provides explanations of history that are hard to get answered in the US. Download a translation app because most of the displays are in French (the national language). Some displays have QR codes with English translations.

Lovely… well put together exhibitions … you need a solid 3 hours at least… lots to see and take in. Charge CFA 3,000. Could improve on having drinks on sale on the premises. The staff on the day lacked zest…😮‍💨

It's a clean and 'modern' museum. There are many historical artifacts at this place. I really liked it.

This Museum portraits nicely the evolution of human civilization, African history, from ancient time to present. By visiting a museum one can sense their past and their inheritance. However, every description was in French, so difficult to grasp the all essence.