Without knowing history we can’t move forward

When was the last time you walked through the doors of your local museum?

If you are like me, you have never even visited the Komani Museum, which I pass by almost everyday. What is your reason because I do not have a reason why I have never visited it.

Why do you think it is important or not important to pop in and look around a museum near you?

When I looked up a definition of a museum, the International Council of Museums says: “A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage.

“Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability.

“They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.”

Do you feel that it is necessary for people to go into a museums and learn all this historical knowledge?

The fact that September has been designated as Heritage Month and Sunday September 24 is Heritage Day, got me thinking about what is meant by heritage and if we want to learn more about heritage where we can go.

The question that one may then ask is whose heritage is preserved in the museum near you? Do you see yourself being represented there, does it tell your history as whatever you describe yourself as?

Living in a country as diverse as this and with the kind of history that it had of subjugation, genocide and wiping out of history of others, are the museums capable of telling it as it is?

If you walk around any town you will see what is termed ‘historical’ buildings and you may ask yourself whose history are these buildings showcasing?

When you see statues placed in prominent places in your town, whose heritage do they celebrate?

When you see names of places, rivers, mountains and other landmarks, whose heritage do they represent, commemorate and celebrate? Do these things even matter? Should we even bother spending money and energy concentrating on these things instead of focusing on ‘more important’ issues like service delivery, staving off hunger and getting people jobs?

Marcus Garvey said: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

Knowing your history and what you have inherited helps to explain why things are the way they are and therefore gives you insight as to what to do if you do want to change things or restore what was lost.

This becomes very difficult if one is alienated from their own heritage and history. How do you restore something you do not know and how do you preserve something you are not aware of?

While looking back may be seen by others as a backward step and an impediment to going forward and prospering, it is actually a very important step forward as it gives you a sense of belonging and purpose.

I implore you to visit any historical site in your area, ask questions about the statues in your public spaces and learn more about who you are and where you come from.

Maybe and just maybe this might help you to focus your energies a bit better and make you realise that you may not be a nobody after all and there are great things that you may still accomplish notwithstanding your present situation.

Let me visit the Komani Museum today.