Behind the scenes at Glasgow Museums (Lillian Amwanda, Kenya, ITP 2024)
Written by Lillian Amwanda, Curator, Kabarnet Museum, National Museums of Kenya (Kenya, ITP 2024)
The day began with the typical chill and drizzle as we gathered in the cozy foyer of the Adagio Hotel, to meet our gracious host, Pat Allan. Despite the cold and wet weather; our spirits were high as we prepared for an exciting day of cultural exploration. Pat arranged for a taxi, which arrived promptly, and within minutes, the five of us were on our way to the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre for the morning’s program. These visits promised a glimpse into the Open Museum and into the world culture collections stored there, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Glasgow’s rich heritage.
Upon arriving at the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, we were warmly welcomed by Elaine who introduced us to the various programs she leads within the Open Museum. One program that particularly struck me was her work with the homeless community in Glasgow. Many individuals in this community feel that museums are not spaces meant for them but Alliance’s initiative seeks to change that perception. Elaine is dedicated to encouraging the homeless to visit the museum, emphasizing that museums are places of convergence, belonging, and shared cultural experiences for everyone. Elaine took us through the various boxes she has in her office containing objects she uses for her programs – incredible, who among the ITP 2024 fellows has done a program for the homeless? Food for thought, right?
After Elaine’s presentation, Pat took over and led us to the much-anticipated World Culture Collections store. This part of the tour was truly a behind-the-scenes experience, as most of the doors were marked “Staff Only,” adding to the sense of exclusivity. We explored the entire ground floor before taking the lift to the third floor of the Resource Centre, where the treasures of the collection awaited us.
Our adventure began with a brief introduction by Pat, who ensured that we adhered to all the rules of object handling. Equipped with a trolley with well-padded top and protective gloves, we were ready to explore the treasures housed in the store. The care taken in handling these objects underscored their cultural and historical significance, emphasizing respect for the heritage they represent.
Shubby introduced us to the vibrant world of truck backs, which are hand-painted by skilled artists and commonly seen in India and Pakistan. These artworks are more than mere decorations, they are a form of expression in India.
Tatiana was delighted to discover the catumare, a traditional baby basket from Colombia. This baby basket is designed to adapt to the size of the baby as they grow, providing comfort and security.
Pinky captivated us with the story of the chinlone ball, an integral part of a noncompetitive sport played in Myanmar. Chinlone is more than just a game; it is a graceful dance of coordination and skill. Players stand in a circle, passing the ball to one another without using their hands, creating a mesmerizing display of teamwork and rhythm.
The much-awaited showcase for Africa featured a fascinating collection of objects from across the continent, with several remarkable items from Ghana, Sudan and my Country, Kenya. As I wandered through the exhibit, I was thrilled to discover the traditional bottled gourds from the communities in the Rift Valley, Central, and Eastern regions of Kenya. These gourds, which I have been researching extensively, hold a special place in Kenyan culture and history. The bottled gourds on display were collected in 1907 and were traditionally used to store mursik, which is a fermented milk drink that is an integral part of the communities’ local diet. These gourds are not just functional objects they equally present cultural significance and rich tradition passed down through generations.
Pat was particularly interested to learn that these gourds are closely associated with women in various Kenyan Communities. Despite being a natural plant, only elderly women are traditionally allowed to harvest the gourds. This practice reflects the deep respect and responsibility bestowed upon women in preserving this cultural heritage. Unfortunately, the tradition of using bottled gourds is facing significant challenges due to global climate change as the gourd plant is becoming endangered, threatening its availability and use hence the need for my research for documentation purposes.
Back to the Resource Center reception there is a captivating exhibition displayed titled “The Journey of Sacred Goods”, which was curated by former ITP fellows and led by our current senior fellow, Yanoa. The exhibition offers an exploration of the challenges faced in accessing resources across South America. It sheds light on the complexities involved in acquiring certain resources from this diverse continent as it highlights the numerous obstacles encountered due to the region’s varied landscapes and climates. Well done Yanoa and team, you did a fantastic job!
Following our wonderful tour of the open Museum and the World Cultures Collection stores, we took a taxi to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery for a performance of Pachigare poetry by Tawona Sithole, a poet and lecturer at the University of Glasgow, who emphasized the importance of using language in museums and environmental conservation. His poetry strongly reflects themes of nature.
The day concluded with a speech by Pat about her repatriation project, after which she invited us to dinner at Boteco do Brasil to enjoy Brazilian cuisine. During dinner, she announced her retirement in September, and Elaine shared that she would be leaving the Open Museum to pursue her PhD at the University of Edinburgh. The ITP will undoubtedly miss both of these remarkable women.
Hold on folks…get ready for more from the Scottish Land as Pinky takes over the blog- Tapath Leat!