Soul of Africa Museum

About the museum

The museum is based on the private collection of African art and cultural objects of the curator Henning Christoph. It sees itself as an open forum for intercultural encounter and cultural education and, by its own account, pursues no commercial interests. In 2004 the supporting association SOUL OF AFRICA e.V. was founded; it also supports projects in West Africa, for example in Benin and Cameroon.

The collection is complemented by an archive of photo, film and documentation material as well as a specialist library, and conveys the history of the continent south of the Sahara up to the present. One focus is the Voodoo culture of West Africa, ancestor and secret societies, traditional medicine and protective magic, as well as German colonial history and religion in the African diaspora. The German UNESCO Commission took note of the project in 2014.

Because of limited space, the current location on Rüttenscheider Straße can show only part of the collection; the museum is working with supporters on a new location.

Highlights

• Collection on Voodoo culture in West Africa
• Masks and costumes of the secret societies from Benin
• Healing and protection section with amulets and medicine
• Exhibition section on German colonial history
• Guided tour at 14:00 on Sundays

Permanent exhibitions

• Ahnen und Geheimgesellschaften – Masks, costumes and cult objects of the Egungun, Gelede and Oro societies explain the veneration of ancestors in West Africa.
• Heilung & Schutz – Traditional medicine, amulets and protective figures such as the Putchu Guinadji of the Kotoko from Cameroon.
• Kolonialgeschichte – Documents and objects from the German colonial period in Africa, including uniforms of the Schutztruppe for German East Africa.

Founded

2000

Admission & discounts

Apart from the children’s price, there are no discounts. Voucher booklets are not accepted.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

By car via the A 52 (Rüttenscheid exit) or the A 40 (Essen-Zentrum exit).

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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