In a move towards cultural reconciliation, artefacts from the Maasai people will continue to be part of the collection at Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum following a collaborative dialogue with Maasai representatives.
The museum, which holds 213 Maasai objects from Kenya and Tanzania among its vast collection of over 700,000 artefacts, welcomed a delegation of ten Maasai representatives as part of a project aimed at fostering better relations with indigenous groups.
Ruth Sintamei Tuleto, a representative from the Pan African Living Cultures Alliance, highlighted the purpose of the visit, stating the goal was to “make the world co-exist.”
After discussions, both the Maasai and the museum agreed that the artefacts would remain in the collection, with an emphasis on accurately sharing their cultural significance.
“The Maasai and the museum would like to co-exist for other communities to emulate what we have done—we are talking about peace and reconciliation,” Ms. Tuleto told the BBC, adding that the Maasai do not want to sever ties but instead hope to maintain a positive relationship with the museum.
The Maasai delegation played a vital role in explaining the historical and cultural meanings behind the artefacts.
Among the items displayed was a 120-year-old Isikira head ornament, which traditionally belonged to the family of Nolllmesegel Ene Sulul, one of the Maasai visitors.
The Isikira, meant to be used by one specific person and dismantled after use, had a deep personal connection for Ms. Sulul, who was shocked to see it on display.
“I was feeling upset, there was a feeling of headache, my veins were beating like this and I could not really speak and I cried,” Ms. Sulul shared emotionally, describing her reaction to seeing the item.
Despite the pain, she expressed that participating in this project “feels like justice.”
The agreement between the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Maasai delegation marks a significant step towards preserving and honoring the heritage of indigenous peoples, setting an example for how museums can respectfully engage with communities whose histories are entwined in their collections.
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