Curation of ethnographic collections at the Nairobi Museum, Kenya.
Abstract
This study was carried out at the National Museums of Kenya Nairobi and aimed at
investigating the reasons why the Nairobi museum Ethnographic collections are not
properly stored, documented, preserved and conserved.
The subjects of the study were sampled from the over forty thousand ethnographic
collections that are classified on the basis of materials used in their manufacture. The five
categories namely, wooden, leather, metallic, textile and basketry were studied.
Stratified sampling method was used and data were collected using various instruments
that included conducting interviews, questionnaires, direct observation and group
discussion. Secondary data were also reviewed
While museum has experienced and knowledgeable staff, lack of proper storage facilities,
non implementation of its research and collection management policy, lack of collection
policy in the department of Ethnography as well as lack of resources and staff motivation
were found to threaten museum ethnographic collections.
The study recommends proper storage methods and additional facilities to decongest the
storerooms, implementation of the National Museums of Kenya's collection management
policy, motivation of staff and training of staff on modern principles of documentation,
care, preservation and conservation of ethnographic collections.
Citation
Postgraduate Diploma In The Care And Management Of Heritage And Museum CollectionsPublisher
Institute Of Anthropology, Gender And African Studies, University of Nairobi