The Fiji Museum recently celebrated a significant addition to its collection with the donation of 130 artifacts from the late David Gilmour’s collection, which was accepted during a handover ceremony in Suva. CEO Armando Lowe, along with museum Matanivanua Ratu Jone Balenaivalu, expressed gratitude to the Wakaya Perfection Trustees for this generous contribution.
Among the donated items are 108 photographs, 16 traditional war clubs, and six tabua, which hold immense historical significance. Lowe emphasized that every artifact narrates a unique story and highlighted a noteworthy collection of five scrimshaw tabua, which offers insight into the 19th-century whaling trade. The museum’s goal is to bring these narratives to life, enhancing its existing exhibits and engaging visitors with Fiji’s rich cultural heritage.
Lowe shared his enthusiasm about the insights these artifacts could provide into Fiji’s past, affirming the museum’s role as a protector and preserver of national history. This donation is seen as a monumental step towards enhancing the museum’s collections and aligns with ongoing efforts to upgrade its facilities, a necessity highlighted in recent discussions about the museum’s direction.
The Fiji Museum is set to embark on a digitization project aimed at creating an accessible digital inventory of its extensive collection, which currently houses over 10,000 artifacts. This project, supported by a grant from the U.S. Embassy’s Ambassadors’ Fund for Cultural Preservation, will make Fiji’s cultural heritage more accessible to a global audience.
As the museum gears up for this new era of growth, it reflects the broader commitment within Fiji to not only preserve its rich history but also foster a sense of community and cultural pride among younger generations. This positive trajectory indicates a hopeful future for the preservation and appreciation of Fiji’s cultural identity in the face of modern challenges.
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