A Dutch museum’s team of archaeologists has been expelled from Saqqara, Egypt, following a dispute over an exhibition titled “Kemet: Egypt in Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul & Funk.” The exhibition, organized by the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, the Netherlands, aimed to draw connections between ancient Egypt and contemporary musical figures such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Miles Davis.
However, Egyptian authorities expressed strong opposition to the exhibition, accusing it of presenting an “Afrocentric” approach to Ancient Egypt that they deemed to be “falsifying history.” In an email to the museum, they denounced the show and its thematic focus.
As a result of the controversy, the Dutch museum’s team, which had conducted excavations at Saqqara since 1975, has been barred from continuing its archaeological work at the important site, which is a sprawling burial ground and a significant archaeological location.
The dispute surrounding the exhibition reflects complex Egyptian perspectives on heritage and national identity. Some Egyptians feel frustrated by what they perceive as cultural misappropriation, as they believe their unique cultural heritage is being lumped together with other African cultures. Earlier, Netflix faced criticism for depicting Queen Cleopatra as a woman of color in a docuseries, with Egypt’s antiquities ministry insisting that the historical figure had Hellenistic features and light skin.
The National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden disagrees with the accusations made against the exhibition. The museum maintains that “Kemet” offers a sensitive exploration of the influence of ancient Egypt on Black musicians and encourages visitors to engage in respectful dialogue about Egypt’s cultural heritage.
The museum declined to comment further on the decision of the Egyptian Antiquities Department to revoke excavation permits. However, warning signs of the brewing storm appeared before the exhibition opened, as social media posts promoting “Kemet” faced a barrage of negative responses from Egyptian netizens. Egyptian media outlets also covered the controversy extensively. In response to the backlash, the National Museum of Antiquities created a supplementary webpage to provide more information about the exhibition’s background and goals.
The “Kemet: Egypt in Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul & Funk” exhibition offers visitors a journey through musical history, immersing them in both ancient and modern music. It showcases pioneering artists from jazz, funk, soul, pop, and rap genres through exhibits, artifacts, and listening experiences.
The exhibition will continue to run until September 3, despite the expulsion of the Dutch archaeologists from Saqqara.