Original in that it combines art and living creatures, this exhibition seeks to introduce the public to the fascinating and little-known world of African fish and crocodiles, which play a crucial role in the cultural, ecological, social and economic life of the continent. Several works of art lent by major museums (musée du Louvre, musée du Quai Branly, in France, and the musée royal d’Afrique centrale, Tervuren, in Belgium) are on display alongside the animals.
The exhibition presents a large number of freshwater fish from Africa and, in the aquarium's famous pit, some remarkable specimens of crocodiles. An original circuit takes visitors back and forth from the aquarium to display cases which recall the curiosity cabinets of yesteryear. Impressive crocodile jaws, fossils of fish contemporary with Toumaï, Egyptian fish sarcophagi, statuettes of the crocodile god Sobek, 19th century “fish herbariums” and engravings made by early explorers of the Nile. Educational panels in the display cases supply comprehensive information on the biology, ecology and history of fish and crocodiles found on the African continent.
The high point of the exhibition is the reconstruction of a traditional fishing camp in a 300-m² room, the floor of which is entirely covered with sand partitioned by plants. African art and cult objects are presented around the room: zoomorphic masks and puppets, elegantly carved cups and doors decorated with catfish. Slides projected on one of the walls of this room show fishing scenes from ancient and modern times. These images retrace the history of African ichthyology as well as addressing ecological issues now facing some African lakes and looking at the prospects for fish farming on the continent. An unpublished documentary film makes the messages of the exhibition easier to understand.
Far from stopping at a scientific description, the exhibition explores many different themes such as history, art, technology, ecology, and fishing using a range of approaches: aquariums, works of art and craftwork, educational panels, documentary films, and slide shows. Visitors can broaden their knowledge of this aquatic world by reading an album or an original African tale, published for the event. An exhibition to please children and adults, interest specialists and delight novices.
