Abstract
Rooted in India’s vibrant cultural fabric, characterized by its multiculturalism and multilingualism, museums stand as vital custodians of heritage and catalysts for intergenerational dialogue. However, their effectiveness in engaging with diverse communities is often hindered by linguistic and cultural barriers. This paper explores the challenges faced by museums in effectively connecting with Indigenous communities across India in general and the state of Odisha in particular. Despite showcasing Indigenous cultures, many museums overlook the inclusion of community members and their specific languages, thus restricting community involvement and ownership. Consequently, the museum atmosphere becomes dominated by speakers of the majority languages, resulting in the misinterpretation or erosion of Indigenous cultures. Furthermore, the absence of mother tongue education exacerbates this issue, as subsequent generations visiting museums may internalize misinterpreted narratives presented in non-Indigenous languages. This perpetuates the dilution and loss of Indigenous cultures and identities over time. Exploring museums as custodians of cultural heritage demands critical reflection on the integrity and accessibility of the narratives they preserve. By excluding Indigenous mother tongue, museums inadvertently perpetuate exclusion and undermine cultural diversity. This paper highlights, the urgent need for museums to embrace linguistic and cultural diversity, ensuring that Indigenous voices and perspectives are integrated into museum narratives. Only through inclusive practices can museum fulfill their role as guardians of cultural heritage and platforms for meaningful intergenerational learning and dialogue in multicultural societies.
Presenters
Sushree Sangita MohantyAssistant Professor and Director, Anthropology and Centre for Indigenous Languages & Narratives, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Orissa, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Inclusive Museum, Indigenous People, Mother Tongue and Intergenerational Learning
