Title: The Importance of Collaborative Curation of Indigenous Artefacts in Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History

Abstract (English)

The researcher asserts that society is at a point where the restitution and repatriation of African material culture are essential to restoring the dignity of the communities these objects represent. Co-curating artefacts has gained significance, with scholars increasingly recognizing its importance (MuseumNet, 2020). Through this research, the researcher observed that museums often struggle to interpret objects and their meanings. To better understand the role of communities in curating their artefacts, the researcher gathered information from museums, academic institutions, and an indigenous community in the Blouberg region of Limpopo.
This study examined the significance of collaborative curation of indigenous artefacts at the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History, the role of indigenous communities in preserving their heritage in the Makabeng community, and the legal framework protecting indigenous artefacts. The primary objective was to explore how collaborative curation at the Ditsong Museum integrates Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
The researcher engaged with the Blouberg communities, specifically the Makabeng and Bahanawa communities, who have exhibited their collections at the museum. These interactions provided insight into the challenges faced by these communities in working with institutions and their contributions to exhibitions.
An interpretive approach was employed, as this case study focused on a single museum. Additionally, discussions with curators from Iziko Museums helped contextualize different approaches to engaging indigenous communities in exhibitions and the curation process. To further facilitate discourse between institutions and communities, the Ditsong Museum enabled the researcher to ask open-ended questions and connect with relevant community members.
This study critically examined South African policies governing the preservation and protection of museum artefacts. While indigenous peoples’ rights are well-documented in these policies, awareness of them remains limited within indigenous communities. Furthermore, these policies are rarely translated into indigenous languages. Policymakers and heritage agencies acknowledged their role in national-level advocacy but emphasized that municipalities and districts must implement localized awareness campaigns in appropriate languages.
The study underscored the significance of co-curation for several reasons. Many artefacts are incorrectly dated due to prolonged neglect, leading to misinterpretations. Often, objects are assigned dates based on when curators or ethnologists begin their research rather than their actual historical context. These findings highlight the need for active community participation in curation to ensure accuracy and cultural integrity.