21 May 2017

May 18 marked International Museum Day celebrations worldwide under the theme: Saying the Unspeakable in Museums.

Botswana Museum in partnership with the Department of African Languages and Literature at the University of Botswana held a seminar which narrowed the theme to death widowhood and gender relations.

Speaking at the seminar, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism permanent secretary, Jimmy Opelo said the day was incepted by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 and had since been celebrated every year on May 18.

Opelo stated that the seminar aimed at providing a platform for discussion in promoting, understanding and appreciation on the selected theme.

He said discussion was a step for allowing for a vision into the future beyond taboo inherent among different ethnic groups in Botswana and it served as a fulfilment of the museum role in advocating for society and its development.

The permanent secretary pointed out that Botswana had a rich heritage that included practices, taboos and rituals passed down from generation to generation in a quest to preserve culture.

His ministry he said promoted research in heritage to bring an understanding and social harmony for the advancement of the people.

UB lecturer in the Department of African Languages and Literature, Dr Pearl Seloma said the seminar sought to identify the role of museums as institutions for preserving traumatic memories.

Dr Seloma said the idea was to raise awareness that museums were an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment and development of understanding among people.

She noted that museums in Botswana could explore ways of utilising the traumatic state experienced by those who lost loved ones and suggested that museums work hand in hand with academic institutions that taught and researched on intangible heritage. ENDS