The evolution of museum culture in Botswana towards multi-layered architectural heritage conservation

Abstract

The role of museums in Botswana has evolved from collecting ethnographic objects and exhibition development to architectural heritage conservation. This paper explores the evolution of museum development through case studies of the National Museum in Gaborone and a regional museum, the Phuthadikobo Museum in Mochudi. The study examines exhibition practices in these museums by discussing the limitations of traditional methods of exhibition and arguing in favour of a multi-layered exhibition method. Both the National Museum and Phuthadikobo Museum have now transformed into cultural institutions which now undertake architectural heritage conservation projects. These projects include the National Museum project which recreates three huts representative of the vernacular architecture of different tribes which we argue is a heritage-making project. The Phuthadikobo Museum proposes for an open-air museum that conserves the existing buildings in situ and addresses the intersection of heritage conservation, a sense of history, intangible heritage, and lived traditions. Situated within the debates on museum development and heritage conservation, the paper considers how museum development in Botswana could address the challenges of museum exhibitions and the questions on heritage authenticity.

Digital preservation of Rumah Tukang Kahar for cultural heritage tourism

“…Hovering over specific images with AR markers in the printed pamphlet brings the virtual heritage objects to life as each marker represents a different aspect of the heritage representation. The markers exist as a multi-layered approach to representing built heritage (Mwale et al, 2022). One marker illustrates the complete shape of the house, the other a detail of the wooden staircase with its carvings, and another marker shows the construction process of the house from the foundation to the roof structure.…”