Nigeria’s Museum Chief Calls for Indigenous Language Integration and Cultural Preservation
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) Director-General Olugbile Holloway has proposed incorporating indigenous languages and cultural contexts into Nigerian museums to enhance their relevance and accessibility. During an ARISE NEWS interview, Holloway emphasized the importance of presenting museum narratives in local languages alongside English. He explained that certain artifacts' spiritual and cultural significance cannot be fully conveyed in English alone, necessitating the use of indigenous languages for accurate representation. Discussing the 1897 Benin punitive expedition, Holloway described it as a significant colonial looting event that disrupted the Benin Kingdom's social and cultural foundation. He noted the ongoing impact of this historical event, citing how Nigerians question the presence of their cultural artifacts in foreign museums. Regarding the repatriation of Benin Bronzes, Holloway outlined the NCMM's plans. A new facility in Benin, scheduled for completion in Q1, will temporarily […]