So we know that Namibian Heritage Week is quickly approaching, but what does that mean during the COVID-19 pandemic? It means that the activities will be accessible to even more people than usual, no matter where you are, as they will be streamed on radio, social media platforms, YouTube, websites etc. Below, you will find what's happening near you and how...
The Museums Association of Namibia has developed numerous mobile exhibitions in our aim to have "museums without walls" which is a way to bring museums to the people, no matter where they are. For that reason, we encourage our member museums, schools, and institutions to borrow our exhibitions to showcase in their towns and regions.
To loan a mobile exhibition, complete this form MAN Exhibition Loan Form and send it to info@museums.com.na
Our mobile exhibitions are easy to set up, take down, and transport. To learn how to set up and take down our mobile exhibitions, you can watch a tutorial on our YouTube channel, here
NB: Terms and Conditions
1. All MAN mobile exhibitions are to be exhibited in a hall or room to protect them from weather and environmental damage
2. All MAN mobile exhibitions are to be returned in the same condition that they left the MAN office in (including the bags that carry the exhibitions)
3. The individual/institution which loans out the exhibition if financially liable for any damage or theft to the exhibitions or bags. The individual will be provided with a tax invoice to replace the damaged or stolen parts or panels, based on the severity of the damage and the cost to reprint or replace the exhibition part (s).
4. It is the responsibility of the individual or organization loaning the exhibition to arrange and cover all courier or transport costs for the exhibition.
5. MAN does not charge for loaning out the mobile exhibitions no individual is legally permitted to receive any money or remuneration for the mobile exhibitions.
Here is a roster of our mobile exhibitions arranged alphabetically.
Changing Climate, Changing Namibia
Booklet available here Changing Climate, Changing Namibia Booklet
The exhibition was developed by the Museums Association of Namibia (MAN), in partnership with Eduventures. Namibia is on the frontline in facing the impact of climate change. The most noticeable effect on Namibia will be rising annual average temperatures and increasing incidents of `extreme weather’, especially floods and droughts. We have a lot of scientific information that provides predictions about the way it will change our economy and lifestyles. We also know the measures that we can take to adapt our lives to these changes and to reduce the effect that climate change will have on Namibia. However, the topic is often described in dense, scientific language. MAN has, therefore, created an educational mobile exhibition that is aimed at Namibian youth.
The exhibition has been funded by the Embassy of Finland in Namibia as part of a program with MAN to support exhibition development for Namibian museums. Additional support was provided by the Conservation Agriculture project of GIZ in the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry as well as the ResMob project of GIZ in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism that supported Eduventures’ role in the exhibition, and the exhibition guide's design and editing.
Changing History: WW1 and Namibia
The Changing History mobile exhibition has been designed by the Museums Association of Namibia in collaboration with the UNAM History department, with funding provided by the British High Commission, as an education exhibition to complement the school curriculum. The exhibition will be particularly useful for teachers at Junior Secondary Schools teaching Grades 8 and Grade 9 with reference to Theme 5 of the new curriculum – German and South African rule, 1909-1945.
Teacher's Handbook available here https://www.museums.com.na/images/WW1_Teachers_Guidebook.compressed.pdf
The printing and distribution of the teacher's guidebook was made possible by funding from the German Embassy in Namibia.
Muti or Medicine - Traditional Medicine
The exhibition was developed by the Museums Association of Namibia (MAN) to research and discuss traditional medicine and, particularly, the use of indigenous knowledge about plants by traditional herbalists. The exhibition was funded by the Embassy of Finland in Namibia as part of a program with MAN to support exhibition development for Namibian museums. You can read more about the exhibition here https://www.namibian.com.na/muti-or-medicine-debate-continues/ and here https://www.namibiansun.com/news/natural-the-local-way
Omukwa - Africa's Tree of Life
The Museums Association of Namibia collaborated with the Ombalantu Baobab Tree Heritage Centre to create a mobile exhibition about the Omukwa/Baobab tree and its importance and uses in Africa. The exhibition was by the Embassy of Finland in Namibia as part of a program with MAN to support exhibition development for Namibian museums.
Omutete wOkaholo - Migrant Labour and the Making of Namibia
‘Omutete’ is the OshiNdonga word for a queue whilst the word ‘wOkaholo’ was used by migrant workers from northern Namibia for the identity disk that was hung around the necks of the recruits.
Thousands of men were recruited into the contract labour system, which was established in the German colonial period. The contract labour system played a central role in shaping both the economic and political landscape of Namibia. The workers were directly involved in the making of Namibia. The exhibition has been funded by the Embassy of Finland in Namibia as part of a program with MAN to support exhibition development for Namibian museums.
Oombale Dhi Ihaka - The Bond That Cannot Be Broken
Teacher's Handbook available here https://www.museums.com.na/images/Oombale_Dhiihaka_Catalogue_Email.pdf
A mobile exhibition and catalogue entitled Oombale Dhi Ihaka: A Bond That Can Not Be Broken was developed by the Museums Association of Namibia (MAN), with funding from the European Union. The exhibition was based on photographs of 126 cultural artefacts that had been collected by the Finnish missionary, Martti Rautanen (better known in the north as “Nakambale”). The objects are currently held by the National Museum of Finland.
Space in Time: The Lower !Garib/Orange River’s Pasts and Presents (English) / ‘n Plek in Tyd: Die !Garib/ Oranjerivier se verlede en hede (Afrikaans)
The Space in Time: The Lower !Garib/Orange River’s Pasts and Presents (English) / ‘n Plek in Tyd: Die !Garib/ Oranjerivier se verlede en hede (Afrikaans) exhibition results from a joint research project involving universities in South Africa, Namibia and Switzerland. It is based on the outcomes of the international conference Space in Time - Landscape Narratives and Land Management Changes in a Southern African Cross-border Region held in Oranjemund in January 2020. The exhibition further draws from an edited volume bringing together the results of the project: The Lower !Garib / Orange River: Pasts and Presents of a Southern African Border Region, edited by Luregn Lenggenhager, Martha Akawa, Giorgio Miescher, Romie Nghitevelekwa and Innocent Ndidzulafhi Sinthumule.
The exhibition consists of 6 panels with the following topics: General Introduction to the !Garib / Orange River, Pre-colonial networks along and across the river, Irrigation and Farming, The Lower !Garib / Orange River as an international border, Bridges and Pontoons and Diamonds and Mines. The exhibition was launched in Namibia, in Keetmanshoop (W.K. Rover Hall) on Saturday the 17th of February 2024, in Oranjemund (Jasper House Museum) on Monday the 19th of February 2024, in Karasburg (Karasburg Business Park) on Tuesday the 27th of February 2024 and in Windhoek (University of Namibia) on Monday the 04th of March 2024. A copy of the poster exhibition remained with the local institution/museum to exhibit for a longer period.
ABOUT THE BOOK
THE LOWER !GARIB – ORANGE RIVER: PASTS AND PRESENTS OF A SOUTHERN AFRICAN BORDER REGION
The Lower !Garib, or Orange River, flows through the historical Namaqualand and since 1990 has formed the international border between Namibia and South Africa. The contributors to this volume focus on this hardly discussed stretch of the Orange River to understand the region's social history, geography, and economy. This book brings together scholars from Namibia, South Africa, and overseas, as well as the knowledge and analysis of people living in the region. In concise chapters and short portraits, they discuss the region's past and present from a variety of perspectives. Published in 2023 by Transcript Verlag. Download the book for free, here.
Stand Together - San Cultural Heritage
Teacher's Handbook available here https://www.museums.com.na/images/FINAL_WEB_Stand_Together_Catalogue-min.pdf
The “Stand Together” Mobile Exhibition and Catalogue feature images and objects from the Fourie Collection at Museum Africa in Johannesburg about San cultural heritage. the exhibition was developed by the Museums Association of Namibia in collaboration with the Namibia San Council and Museum Africa, with funding from the Delegation of the European Union in Namibia and the National Arts Council of Namibia.
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ResiliArt Namibia, a collaborative partnership between the Directorate of Arts, Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Turipamwe Design, Joe Vision Production, the EU and the UNESCO Windhoek Office will host the third of three Panels on the impact of COVID-19 on the heritage, arts and culture sector. The ResiliArt debates address pressing issues affecting the livelihoods of cultural professionals, including the...
ResiliArt Namibia, a collaborative partnership between the Directorate of Arts, Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Turipamwe Design, Joe Vision Production, the EU and the UNESCO Windhoek Office will host the first of three Panels on the impact of COVID-19 on the heritage, arts and culture sector.
The ResiliArt debates address pressing issues affecting the livelihoods of cultural professionals, including the social and economic rights of artists, copyright protection, digitization of content and freedom of expression. The need to ensure that these issues are given the place they deserve in the political and social discussions that will shape the world after the crisis.
Please use the link below to join the debate and share your insights on a collaborative and resilient way forward!
You can join the session on Zoom with the following details Zoom Meeting Details Webinar ID: 935 7915 8548 Password: 317088
Session 2
Date: Tuesday 26th May 2020
Time: 14h00 -16h00
You can download the programme for all three sessions here ResiliArt Namibia Debate Programme