By Iminza Keboge
Published February 3, 2022
An exhibition that highlights the significance of archaeology in Senegal’s historical and cultural understanding has started on February 3, 2022.
Organised by Cultural Engineering and Anthropology Research Unit (URICA) of Cheikh Anta Diop University and hosted by West African Research Center (WARC), the nine-banner exhibition titled Archaeology in Senegal highlights how archaeology serves as a bridge between the past and the present. The exhibition explains how material culture contributes to understanding the values, experiences and complexity of Senegal’s past. It explores several of Senegal’s many locations for archaeological discovery and brings to life some of Senegal’s most important archaeological treasures.
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Archaeology in Senegal is the result of a partnership between URICA, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Office of Strategic Partnerships and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), with support from the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research.
The bilingual French and Wolof banners are described by Ibrahima Thiaw, Professor of Archaeology at Cheikh Anta Diop University and Director of URICA as ‘a major step in democratizing archaeology’.
Dr Thiaw, who has been at the forefront of efforts to build the first Anthropology doctoral programme in Senegal says the banner exhibition ‘helps to connect Senegalese children to their history in a visually appealing and easily accessible way’.
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Archaeology in Senegal has also partnered with the Senegalese children’s museum, ImagiNation Afrika, which works toward the development of the whole child by creating child-centered public spaces. ImagiNation Afrika has facilitated a series of training workshops and developed instructional videos for teachers and curriculum inspectors from the Senegalese public school system. The collateral developed by ImagiNation Afrika is designed to help educators engage young learners in their understanding and appreciation of archaeology in Senegal.
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