Olive Lewin, Contributor
OUR ACCOUNT of the 1998 Heritage Convention at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, on the theme 'In Search of Heritage as Pilgrim or Tourist' continues today.
We first look at the work and experiences of an accomplished and committed scholar, who has requested anonymity. Teacher and researcher at universities in Africa, Europe and the United States, author of several books, articles and papers on historical, educational and cultural topics, he also worked as a development consultant for almost 20 years.
He has also been a Government Minister in two areas and a respected contributor to university life and scholarship in his country.
When he wandered away from us at the convention, we respected his need to be alone. How does one help someone of that stature who, with family and hand-held possessions, had become an exile, lucky to be alive?
Pride
In his presentation, he spoke convincingly and with pride about the richness of his country's heritage: its potential for "developing into an important attraction for modern pilgrims in search of heritage." He spoke frankly of the need for improved heritage management, and appreciation, as well as utilisation of the country's valuable heritage assets, for the good of all her people.
That country continues to be torn apart by Civil War. We do not know if he has tried to return home. If so, we trust that he and his family are safe... alive, even if troubled. If there, love and loyalty will no doubt keep reviving their hope for each tomorrow.
Next, we heard of a project at the National Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. The report of its Director of Museum Resources held us spellbound.
Mindful that "collecting items of real and symbolic significance is at the heart of a museum's work", they had to find exhibits and examples that satisfied both the vision and professional requirements of their department, and expressed aspects of culture treasured by New Zealanders themselves.
Four acceptable places emerged, linked by the theme 'Journeys', so appropriate to the New Zealand situation.
The Maoris, New Zealand's first settlers, had arrived some 1000 years ago after a 1000-mile journey from the north, in canoes.
This journey and ancestral memories are still central to their culture..."the sacredness of private integrity." (Emerson).
New Zealand is still on a journey, geologists tell us, which began about 50 million years ago when the islands broke away from the land mass called Gondwaena Land. Even now, they continue to drift eastwards, they say.
'Journeys' featured by the museum are as below:
The Overseas Experience, relating to the ancestral homes of later settlers, mainly English. Visiting their 'homeland' still is a valued contact with their roots. This feeling, however, diminishes as New Zealand increasingly becomes home for succeeding generations.
The Bush: breathtaking natural beauty which retains life forms from Gondwaena days. There are ancient lizards, tree ferns, flightless birds like the Kiwi, the blue penguin, all considered worthy of pilgrimages. All jealously protected.
The Marae or traditional Maori meeting place, designed to become one for the whole nation. A place for keeping in touch with ancestry, intellectually, and emotionally too: a forum for discussion of the emerging national identity of all New Zealanders.
Home, often called 'a quarter acre of paradise.' - modest, close-together bungalows, prized as retreat, and family 'Marae' as symbols of self-reliance, ingenuity and independence.
This miniature report cannot possible have done justice to our visits, to the Robert Gordon Heritage Convention. If, however, we have spotted lessons to be learnt, even a few, by beautiful, heritage-rich Jamaica the journeys have been useful.
