The incredible cultural wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo is highlighted by the National Museum which opened a branch in Kolwezi two years ago. However, despite the diversity of the works on display, the museum struggles to attract residents of the region, who have apprehensions linked to the mystical beliefs often associated with these objects.
For many Kolwezi residents, visiting the museum is out of the question. The fear of black magic and spirits that might be attached to these traditional items is ingrained in their minds. A cultural and religious conviction that prevents people from passing through the doors of the museum, as Médard Kalunga, a resident of the city, explains: “We have always been told: ‘if you see human remains or even masks, the spirits will pursue you.’ That’s why we’re afraid.”
Faced with this deep-rooted fear, the Kolwezi Museum is seeking solutions to attract local visitors. For example, the masks on display are modified by covering their heads with synthetic hair rather than raffia, in order to make the works more familiar and less frightening. The museum strives to modernize objects in an effort to attract a wider audience and break down preconceptions associated with witchcraft.
However, the results are mixed. The museum only receives one or two school visits per term, or around fifty children in total. Adult visits are very rare and the museum’s education manager deplores this lack of interest.
To reverse this trend, it is necessary to put in place strategies aimed at reestablishing the link between museums and local populations. According to Sari Middernacht, museologist and former official of the Royal Museum of Central Africa, it is essential to work with communities and make museums meeting spaces where the history and meaning of objects can be transmitted in an educational way. The people who carry these cultures must be involved, whether they are elders, parents or people responsible for transmitting traditional knowledge. By inviting them to actively participate in museum activities, it is possible to enrich knowledge and create a deeper dialogue between museums and local communities.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a true cultural treasure that deserves to be preserved and shared. Museums have a key role to play in this mission, but they must adapt and get closer to populations to generate interest and change negative perceptions associated with traditional objects. By collaborating with communities and promoting local knowledge, museums can become catalysts of cultural pride and development for the entire Kolwezi region.