Théodore Monod Museum of African Art
Musée Théodore-Monod d'Art africain
One of West Africa's oldest museums, with a large collection of masks, sculptures, musical instruments and traditional dress.
The museum was founded in 1936 by the Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire (IFAN) of French West Africa and sits in a colonial-era building beside Soweto Square in the city centre. Its collection comes from Senegal, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso and other places, including ritual masks, wood carvings, textiles, musical instruments and everyday objects, arranged by ethnic group and theme, making it a good introduction to traditional West African culture. The museum is not large and can be seen in about an hour. Opening hours and admission should be checked on site, and it is generally closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun approx. 09:00–18:00 (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Dakar Cathedral
- Presidential Palace, Dakar
- Sandaga Market
- Place de l'Indépendance
- Kermel Market
- Museum of Black Civilizations
- Grand Mosque of Dakar
- Porte du Troisième Millénaire