Eleventh International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

Museums are similar to the subconscious of the society they belong to. The inventory that they exhibit or store as a collection exhibits historical emotional experiences that both the individual and the society face and renew. Sometimes the past can be a decisive element in “identity formation.’’ Ethnography is based on researching and scientifically exploring people’s way of living, including their traditions, manners, customs, and cultural formations. Ethnographical museums are the most important transportation axes that allow cultures to be carried into communities during their journeys in history. When we consider the speed of change and transformation of societies in the age of information, and also the intensity of digital consumption, it is increasingly hard to transfer culture to a new generation. In this sense, “maintenance of tradition” practices for exhibition and narration of production processes have become significant in ethnographic museology, especially around issues of protecting and preserving cultural heritage. Furthermore, this paper discusses two important examples for maintenance of tradition practices, including the Day of Ancestors which is an ethnocultural organization in Hungary and seconds the Nomadic Festival in Kyrgyzstan. Both are important practices for recreating and maintaining traditions and old lifestyles.