Alternative methods of exhibiting Benin cultural objects in museums

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Periodical article

Title:	Alternative methods of exhibiting Benin cultural objects in museums
Authors:	Agbontaen-Eghafona, K.A. Okpoko, A. Ikechukwu
Year:	2001
Periodical:	West African Journal of Archaeology
Volume:	31
Issue:	2
Pages:	28-38
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	museums material culture
Abstract:	The regular 'static' showglass displays in museums do not seem to appeal to the ordinary population of Nigeria. Using Benin City and its National Museum as examples, this paper discusses an alternative approach of presenting museum objects to the public in an interesting and appealing way. It suggests that a good method of museum display of ethnographic and anthropological materials is to situate them as much as possible within the social and cultural context in which they functioned. Rather than displaying artefacts purely as objects of art and admiration, it may be more instructive to provide some understanding of the part they played in the society that produced them. The paper is based on interviews with key informants including experts in Benin traditions and discussions with traditional art and craft groups, and questionnaires on the attitude towards museums of a cross section of Benin's population. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]