Manchester Museum Seeks Public Help for African Collection

Manchester Museum Seeks Public Help for African Collection

Manchester Museum is inviting the public to help uncover the histories of its African collection. The museum's new Africa Hub aims to address gaps in knowledge about the origins and significance of over 40,000 items.

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Manchester Museum is reaching out to the public to assist in uncovering the hidden histories of its extensive African collection. The museum, located in north-west England, has launched a new initiative called the Africa Hub, which focuses on addressing the gaps in knowledge about the origins and cultural significance of more than 40,000 items.

The collection includes objects that were acquired during the British Empire era, and many details about their makers and cultural contexts remain unknown. By inviting people from around the world to contribute their insights, the museum hopes to fill these gaps and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the collection.

Programme Details

The Africa Hub at Manchester Museum is a unique initiative that encourages public participation in historical research. The museum acknowledges that many of the items in its African collection were traded, collected, looted, or preserved during colonial times, leading to a lack of information about their origins.

Visitors to the museum, as well as individuals from around the world, are invited to share their knowledge and insights about the objects. This collaborative approach aims to uncover the stories behind the items and highlight their cultural significance.

Outcomes

The museum's effort to engage the public in this research is part of a broader movement to address colonial-era silences in museum collections.

This initiative is expected to lead to a more inclusive and comprehensive narrative about the collection, benefiting both the museum and its visitors. The museum's approach reflects a growing trend in the museum sector to involve communities in the interpretation and presentation of historical collections.

Story inspired by reporting from The Guardian