Role Of Museum In The Preservation Of Knowledge

Role Of Museum In The Preservation Of Knowledge
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to look at the role museums play in the preservation of knowledge.
In doing this, the author tended to discuss briefly the general museum, making specific reference to the national museum of colonial history Aba.
The study pinpoints some of the problems militating against the museum.
It also examines the crucial and inevitable impacts of objects in knowledge preservation and also sees museum as a indispensable agency in the national development.
Finally, the study goes on to recommend possible ways of improving the museum services in Nigeria.
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background Of Study
The establishment of museum is significant in ay developing nation like Nigeria where historical record provides a link between the past, the present and the future.
The importance attached to ay museum object derives its value in cultural and historical context which may span over areas such as religion, education, politics, economy and warfare. It is most unfortunate however, that many Nigerians to date have not yet realised the importance of museums to the society.
To such people, museums are associated with artificacts and monuments, which are regarded as old and useless objects. Meant for incineration.
This type of impression attached to museums has such affect that most of the objects which would have been very useful in the general enlightenment and education of the public suffer from deterioration.
The role of museums in the preservation of knowledge – (A case study of National Museum of Colonial History Aba which is the topic of this project) – cannot be well treated if the concept of “knowledge” and “museums” are not understood.
Knowledge is a philosophical concept.
The origin is something which the early philosophers like plato, Aristotle and Honer had tried through various approaches to trace. However, an ordinary meaning of the word “knowledge” is “understanding” “familiarity” gained by experience”.
Although, simple proof shows that knowledge is an impression or of what one had been or (remnants of it). The impression of that object left in the brain or memory is the idea of it, so idea is knowledge.
A museum is defined as a temple, home, resort of the learned, an institution or repository for the collection, exhibition and study of objects of artistic, historic, scientific and educational interest.
2. “It is an institution established to encourage the preservation and discovery of, as far as possible, the deterioration and loss of objects treasured by the society.
Museum originated with man’s interest in collecting, accumulating precious, beautiful and curious objects. The oldest of such collections were privately financed, made by the wealthy or by the church.
Museums in general, do for objects what libraries and archives do for books and Government records respectively. It is necessary to stress here that the society does not tend to preserve her objects just to hoard them, but to preserve them because of their intellectual values.
It is pertinent to note that the most important phenomenon which have influenced the direction of human development and progress are scientific discoveries and warfare of these greater attention has been paid to the preservation and presentation of information relating to the former but less has been done concerning the later. Yet information about scientific episodes and the development of warfare are of equal importance if we are to have a balance view of the course of human development and progress.
Man, from the prehistoric times has always been inquisite. However, there should be no doubt, therefore about the enormous role which historic museum have played in the overall shaping of the society.
Unpleasant and horrible as slavery may seem, the preservation of the relics of colonial history efforts becomes the responsibility of every government that needs to be informed about itself and of course the nation’s development.
The knowledge about human past activities ovide a soud foundation for present day action.
To take no cognisance of this is to black out the past and there is no known society that delights in doing so. It is in this context that the establishment of National Museum of colonial history Aba finds its justification.
The museum and the exhibitions therein, are aimed at preserving the colonial history of Nigeria. The purpose of this work is to enable the public see the historical events that took place before Nigeria gained her independence.
1.2 The Development Of Museums In Nigeria
The history of museums in Nigeria pre-dates Arab and European times.
During these periods, various cultural materials of rival. Religious and political importance were fashioned, conserved and preserved in temples or traditional shrines and the palaces of kings and chiefs. Apart from housing such cultural materials like ivory, bronze and carved wooden objects, these institutions (temples, shrines and palaces) were preserved as monuments in their own right.
Some natural features like caves (for example Ogbunike cave in Anambra state) were also maintained as monuments.
Persons responsible for organising and preserving the cultural materials included the head of each household, priests of various shrines and any of the kings or chiefs officers.
In Igbo land, for instance, a head of the household was in charge of his family’s temple. In such temple cultural materials like iron or bronze amulets, wooden statue (Ikenga) or images of deities were kept. The head of the household or (in some cases) priests took care of ritual objects like iron gongs, ivory trumpets, drums as well stone or clay images of deities are kept in the shrines.
These heads or priests acted more or less as curators, taking care of these objects.wooden and iron/bronze staffs, statues and thrones, ceremonial regalia of past kings kept in the royal palaces were taken care of by any of the king’s officers.
In these pre-colonial museums, objects were preserved because of their utilitarian or symbolic value. Some of the objects found in the shrines helped to “concretise” the deities.
However, the development of modern museums began during the colonial period. In 1927, Mr. Kenneth Murray, an art teacher in the British colonial service was appointed to advise the Government “on the effect of the colonial education system on local arts” (Nzewunwa 1984:101). While performing the assignment Murray made a personal collection of several Nigerian art forms. Later he advised the government on the establishment of museums and the proclamation relevant laws to prevent the illegal exportation of Nigerian works art (Murray 1966:32). However, because of the second world war, Murray’s recommendations f or the establishment of museums in three centres in Nigeria could not be implemented. Murray was therefore permitted to continue with the purchase of a permanent centre for preservation of cultural objects.
The Nigerian antiquities service was established on July 28th 1943 in response to appeals by concerned Europeans like Murray and Duck work, on education officer. In 1946, Mr. J.H. Bravnholtz a keeper in the department of Ethnography of the British museum, was sent to Lagos by the colonial office to advise the British Government on the preservations of Nigerian cultural resources. In 1947, Mr. B.E. Faggs, a trained archaeologist was appointed government archaeologist and assistant surveyor of antiquities. Mr. Fagg carried out much archaeological work in Jos Plateau and helped in the establishment of the Jos museum in 1952 in which most of the archaeological materials have been preserved to this day.
The then department of Antiquities and the present National commission for museum and monuments saw to the establishment of museums in different parts of Nigeria to preserve Nigeria’s cultural objects. As of date there are 29 federal museums, including museums in the making (i.e centres) in Nigeria, and at least one in each state.
1.3 The National Museum Of Colonial History, Aba
In 1975 it was discovered that the old consulate building of the then eastern central state (6 ikot ekpene road, Aba) was abandoned and in a state of disuse. Mr. Ebenezar Onyoma was appointed as the first head of station and after all the necessary protocol arrangements had been made, the building was transferred to what is now known as the National Museum of Colonial History, Aba, Nigeria.
History Of The Museum
The old consulate building had a unique history because it was pre-fabricated in England and transported in parts to Nigeria in mid-nineteenth century.
The building was first assembled and located at Opobo as the administrative headquarters of the oil river protectorate. It served a dual purpose as the commercial nerve centre of the British trading companies in protectorate and as its administrative command post.
In the course of time, owing to trading/administrative in convenience and poor communications, the consulate was transferred to Akwete.
Akwete had a natural harbour, which suited British colonial interests. The colonial traders/administrators later found that most of the oil and palm kernel which they traded in was concentrated in the hinter land and since they wanted to dominate the trade the necessity for a final move arose. Aba was chosen because the river Asa occupied a strategic position.
The building was dismantled and brought to the new headquarters. The apparently happened 1898, but research subsequently revealed the date as 1902.
The Aba waterside (River Asa) was called Onummiri Opobo. The reason was that at the time the Opobo people admitted this legitimate free trade, the manned the canoes filled with pots. (A pot measure was much bigger than the standard British drum used as containers. A pot was up to two big drums in British measure and was made of wood and iron bars by the Portuguese).
Chief Pepple was known as their leader.
A road was named after him in recognition of the role he played in the trading and urbanization of the settlement of Aba.
The present location of the museum of colonial history was the seat of government. All over business-commercial, administration, the judiciary was conducted from here.
Renovation work on the building as well as the erection of other buildings that would make of the museum complex continued until early 1985. Similarly, a group of ethnographers were assembled who concentrated on the write-ups and collection of materials culture on colonial matters for the purpose of setting up a museum. On 8th March 1985, the museum was officially opened by the then Governor of Imo State, Brigadier General Ike Nwachukwu.
The Collections
The collections of the museum consist of photographers of historical events, ethnographic objects and archaeological objects. In fact, 80 percent of the collections are historical, in the form of photographs and write-ups. The museum has a total of 415 historical collections, 310 ethnographic objects and 151 archaeological objects that have been inventoried.
Administration
The museum is headed by a curator who oversees the affairs of the museum. The museum is made up of 47 staffs and 6 departments namely:
- Directorate of museum
- Research/Publication
- Heritage and sites
- Education services
- Administration/supplies and
- Finance and account
The parent body is known as National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
The Main Exhibitions
The old consulate building, a monument and a museum in itself, houses a total of 223 photographs and 64 objects in the gallery on permanent exhibitions.
This main exhibition is divided into eight bays a nd the subject is divided eight main themes;
- Before colonization; The Atlantic slave trade and its suppression.
- Prelude to alien role; explorers, missionaries traders
- Southern Nigerian’s trading companies and the early British administration; the trade consul.
- Northern Nigerian’s emirs and the early British encounter, the Sokoto, Kano, Bida and Nufe campaign.
- The verification of North and South (amalgamday) the indirect role and Lord Luggard.
- The rise of Nigerian Nationalism. The gravity representative institutions, the formation of political parties, Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, The Sardavna of Sokoto.
- Prelude to independence; The three constitutions
- Independence achieved.
Through the photographic display of historical events in chronological order, an understanding of the colonial history of Nigeria is made accessible to both casual visitors and serious students.
Besides, making understanding easy, This method of presentation of any subject that is the visual method, in parts a feel for the subject, in addition to knowing it. This enables the events to come alive in a simple natural setting.
1.4 Purpose
The purpose of this work is to look at the role of museum in preservation of knowledge making specific reference to the national museum of colonial history, Aba.
The project is also aimed at stimulating discussions on some of the issues raised so that museum can play its proper role and also to enable the public understand what that role is.
This study will among other things examine the following:
- The reasons for setting the museum at Aba
- Find out the extent to which recession in the economy of the country affected the growth and management of the museum.
- Find out the significance of the museum to the country.
- Find out the various processes involved in the collection of the objects.
- Identity the major problems militating against the effective use of the museum.
- Attempt suggestions on how these problems could be alleviated.
1.5 Objective Of The Study
The specific objectives of the study are as follows:
- To ascertain the existence of preservation programme in the museum under study.
- To find out if they have a preservation policy.
- To determine the strategies use in preserving knowledge
- To find out if they collaborate with other heritage institutions in the preservations of knowledge.
- To find out the challenges experienced in the course of preserving knowledge.
1.6 Scope
Although, there is quite a handful of museum as scattered all over the country but considering the purpose of the study, the researcher has limited the work only to the National Museum of colonial history Aba. In spite of the numerous museums in the country, this paper based on general observations and data collected from the national museum Aba. This was necessary so that an indepth study could be made within the time available for this project.
The major areas of concentration include the management and collections of the museum.
1.7 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:
- Is there any preservation programme in your museum?
- Do you have a preservation policy?
- What are the strategies used in the preservation of knowledge?
- Do you collaborate with other institutions to preserve knowledge?
- What are the problems usually encountered in the course of preserving knowledge?
1.8 Significance Of The Study
The essence of preservation and conservation is to facilitate access and ensure continuous existence of records. However, this will only be possible if relevant stakeholders understand and appreciate the benefits of preservation and conservation and the potential dangers of ignoring it.
The outcome of this study would enhance preservation and conservation performance in the National Archives and Museum by developing an appropriate policy, methods and techniques as well as enlightening archivists/ curators and other stakeholders on the importance of preserving and conserving their records in the most suitable way. It would also enable Archivists and Curators to make quick decisions on what to preserve immediately to reduce further deterioration and what can be postponed for future generations.
The expected benefit of preservation and conservation is the awareness of the need to adequately reduce the rate of deterioration of valuable information resources of the archives and museum, thus making the materials available for future use. Similarly, the study would be of significant value to researchers and scholars in related field of study because it would contribute to the body of knowledge in Nigeria and the world at large.
1.9 Operational Definition Of Terms
The following terms are defined operationally to ease understanding and usage in the context of this work.
Archives:
Is a body of non-current permanently valuable records, it applies also to their place of deposit or a building dedicated to their care and use, and to the organization or agency responsible for administering them.
Conservation: conservation is the direct application of appropriate techniques and treatment to already deteriorated information resources/records.
Museum:
Is an institution that conserves collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary
Preservation:
Preservation is the means by which information resources/records (right from their creation, up to their disposition) are protected from all forms of deterioration, mutilation and lost, for the use of present and future generations.
Records:
For the purpose of this study, records is used to include, apart from documents, photographs, letters etc, also artifacts and objects
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusion And Recommendations
5.1 Summary Of The Study
The study investigated the Preservation and Conservation of Records in National Archives and National Museum, Abia. To achieve the objectives of the study, five research questions were formulated, among which are: What types of records are available in the National Archives and National Museum, Abia, What policies guide the preservation and conservation of records in the National Archives and Museum, Abia, What are types of deterioration affect records in the National Archives and National Museum, Abia. Related literature were reviewed. The literature review revealed that, for information centres dealing with records to achieve their aims and objectives, they must draw up a long term preservation policy. This is due to the fact that records are subjected to deterioration by human, biological, chemical, environmental and disaster factors. Most of the literature reviewed suggested that the preventive measures should include proper housing of information resources/records, protection against heat, dust, humidity, light, insects, mishandling, etc.
Case study method was adopted for this study. The population of the study was made up of 42 staff from both the National Archives and National Museum, Abia, 13 of whom were from the Archives and 29 from the Museum. A semi-structured questionnaire and interview were used in collecting data from respondents. Direct observation was also employed. The semi-structured questionnaire covered all the research questions which sought to find out the processes of preservation and conservation of records in the selected centres. The interview sessions elicited responses from senior administrative staff to clear some grey areas on preservation and conservation of records in both the institutions. Data generated were analysed using descriptive method of analysis. The results of the findings were presented in tables.
5.1.1 Summary Of The Major Findings
Below is the summary of the major finding of the study.
- Out of the 16 types of records listed, the National Archives had 12 (75%) while the National Museum had 8 (50%). However, historical document, conservation reports, reports and photographs were discovered to be the common records kept by both the institutions. With regards to records in electronic format, the findings revealed that while the National Archives had gazettes, government documents and conservation reports in electronic format, the National Museum had none. This was attributed to the fact that the National Museum was yet to commence computerization of their records.
- The findings revealed that there was preservation policy in the National Archives Abia and the policy was written and adopted from the National Archives Decree of 1992. However, the policy could not be seen during the observation sessions. The National Museum had a written preservation policy, which was written by a committee and subjected to review when the need arises. The policy, however, majorly takes care of their artifacts and therefore give les consideration to records preservation.
- The findings revealed that dust and particulate matters, high temperature level, air pollution, bad storage, overcrowded, wear & tear due to excessive photocopying and excessive light were causes of deterioration of print records in the National Archives and National Museum, Abia. On the other hand, oxidation, high humidity and heat, moisture, dust, atmospheric pollutants and excessive light were the causes of deterioration of non-print records in the National Archives Abia.
- Although both the institutions employ at least eight out of the thirteen strategies of preservation and conservation identified by most literature, it is unfortunate to note that the institutions do not employ the use of deacidification and encapsulation which prolong the life span of records.
- In terms of funding, both the institutions relied on allocations from the Federal Government and internally generated sources of income like registration fees and other charges from the researchers that come to the Archives and Museum. These funds are highly inadequate.
5.2 Conclusion
In the light of the findings of the study, it can be concluded that preservation and conservation activities were being carried out at the National Archives and National Museum, Abia, but done inappropriately due to lack of well written preservation policy and inadequate facilities and funding. Though the finding has revealed that some measures were taken to curtail the deterioration, but this was not enough as some of their records continue to deteriorate. Hence, the need for a well written preservation policy to meet up with the international standard and other sources of funding through advocacy, solicitation, endowment, consultancy, organizing seminars and workshops that will address the deficiencies identified in the findings of this study.
A well written preservation policy and adequate funding for preservation and conservation activities based on international standard is needed to provide a well-articulated roadmap for continuous preservation activities in the national archival centres in Nigeria.
5.3 Recommendations
Arising from the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Both the institutions should fully engage in electronic preservation in order to meet up with the required standard of service in this 21st century.
- There is need for a well written preservation policy to meet up with the international standard and to cater for all types of records preservation. The policy should be in both hard and soft copies which can be cited by everybody.
- The study recommends the use of air conditioning for twenty four hours in the storage rooms and to ensure regular and frequent repairs, cleaning and dusting of the environments.
- Also the study recommends the adaptation of deacidification and encapsulation by both institutions to reduce the rate of deterioration of already deteriorating records.
- Both the institutions are encouraged to exploit others sources of funding through advocacy, solicitation, endowment, consultancy, organizing seminars and workshops etc.


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