Ethics and Legitimacies in Modification of Moving Material Cultures in North Rift, Kenya

Abstract

Abstract

The study of the African material culture in museums and other cultural heritage institutions has largely
concentrated on documentation, preservation, exhibition and display (Pye, 2001; Ambrose & Paine 1992).
Knowledge on material culture continue to be provided based on the techniques and materials used in their
production, better ways to keep them from damage, as well as their exchange and what happens to them at
the “end” of their “usefulness” (Somjee, 1993; Appadurai, 1988; Kopytoff, 1982). Paine (2013) suggests a new
approach to study of material culture by looking at significance of objects in creation and maintenance of
social identities build on ethnicities and gender. Studies have shown that each society has a number of
material culture objects that stores information on ideas, values and conventions that are mutually shared
and passed down from one generation to another. Through objects, people give meanings and values to
things so as to strengthen relationships and distinguish themselves from “others” (Bell & Geismar 2009). This
is attested by the recent call of repatriation of significant objects taken from communities (Henare, 2005;
Pye, 2001; Bennett, 1995). Globally, culture changes and as it does it affects the technology, art, design and
technique of making objects (Blier, 1998; McNaughton, 1988). Change in material culture objects is
influenced by encounters with different people with new ideas, innovations and goods. On the other hand,
thousands of traditional objects made from precious materials and high quality craftsmanship continue to
be preserved in time and space and also moved across societies. Such objects are iconic and are associated
with society’s values and beliefs. This study seeks to analyse (im) mobility of African material culture objects
and knowledge embedded in them. The focus of the study will be Kenya’s North Rift Region, an area that
borders Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia.