Arts and Reviews

Exploring importance of museum to society

MUSEUMS have a long history going back to the third century, when the first known museum was opened in the University of Alexandria in Egypt.

Over the years, however, the museum culture has spread to nearly every part of the world and today, it has become uncommon to find any country that does not have a museum. This implies that the concept of the museum has become a global concept that has survived the 20th century.

The museum is an institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the cultural and natural heritage of humanity. Museums have been founded for variety of purposes; to serve as recreation facilities, scholarly avenues and educational resources; to contribute to the quality of life of the areas where they are situated, to attract tourism to a particular region, to promote civic pride or nationalistic endeavour or even to transmit overtly theological concept.

Given such variety of purpose, museums reveal remarkable diversity in form, content and even function, yet, despite such diversity, they are bound by a common goal — the presentation and interpretation of society’s cultural and natural heritage.

The museum as an institution tells the story of man the world over and how humanity has survived in its environment over the years.

It houses things created by nature and by man and in our modern society, it houses the cultural soul of the nation, and it is, therefore, safe to say that no country of the world can have a meaningful development if it does not refer to its museum.

Now, to the importance of museums to the society, museums play very important roles in the development of the society and these roles range from education, economic, political, social and cultural.

In Nigeria, the museum has contributed to bringing about peace among the diverse ethnic groups in the country, especially after the civil war.

This, the museum was able to do by providing elements that foster peaceful co-existence and cross cultural connections that go beyond the diversity of the Nigerian people.

Through those efforts, museum has taken the front seat on the campaign for national unity and integration.

Museum collections have continued to shape visitors perception, attitude, behaviour and relationship positively.

Economically, museum has encouraged indigenous technology, art and crafts, which are the bedrock for modern inventions.

Through the skill acquisition programme of the Education Department of Museum, indigent members of the public such as widows, housewives, young school leavers and unemployed graduates are economically empowered to be self-reliant and creators of jobs.

Skills like beading, tie and dye, art and craft are taught in the museum by highly-trained officers.

Besides, the economic importance of the museum to the society, there is also the social cultural dimension.

The museum in Nigeria, for example, played a key role during the country’s hosting of Festival of African Culture (FESTAC 77).

Through its collections, Nigeria was able to showcase her contributions to world history.

This opened a doorway for closer cooperation with world powers with particular reference to political, economic and cultural ties.

Museums provide wide range of activities that promote life and wellbeing of the people, especially in the areas where they operate.

As a result, the people need to visit the museum as they provide an effective way of learning.

Museums also help bring change and development to communities.

  • Bamgbade is Chief Museum Education Officer, National Museum, Oyo. (08037556347).

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