The National Museum is part of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, the role of which is to record and document the culture and cultural history of the numerous distinct cultural groups in Vanuatu.It is also a focus for cultural performances, both traditional and contemporary. The permanent displays of the museum contains a large section of traditional artifacts, from masks and slit gongs to mats and scale models of outrigger canoes; as well as examples of pre-historic shells, fossils and pottery, and animals and birds from every island. As well as vibrant series of changing temporary exhibitions, there are daily screenings of video documentaries on aspects of the culture and history of Vanuatu. Experienced staffs are available to give more detailed information about the exhibits.
The permanent displays of the museum contains a large section of traditional artifacts, from masks and slit gongs to mats and scale models of outrigger canoes; as well as examples of pre-historic shells, fossils and pottery, and animals and birds from every island.
Main Objectives:
1) Collection and preservation of artifacts that represent different aspects of the cultures and history of the country (the national artifact collection)
2) Locating collections of Vanuatu artifacts held overseas and establishing relationships with their care-taking institutions as a first step towards possible repatriation of items
3) Providing the best storage conditions possible to facilitate the long-term preservation of the national artifact collection, through:
a) More and better storage space
b) Enhanced climatic regimes in the storage areas (temperature and humidity control)
c) Better conservation and storage management programs- Better access to conservation equipment and materials
4) Educating visitors to the Museum (local public and school children, tourists and visitors) about Vanuatu’s cultural and artistic heritage
5) Continually upgrading the permanent exhibition to become more interesting and educational for visitors
6) Continually organising and hosting new exhibitions to continue to educate visitors about Vanuatu’s heritage and other subjects (the latter through exhibitions received from overseas)
7) Striving to provide the rural population with educational access to the artifact collection
8) Controlling the illicit export of valuable artifacts under the provisions of cap.39 (Preservation of sites and artifacts)
9) Developing the Museum Shop as:
a) a source of revenue for the activities of the Museum and Cultural Centre,
b) an outlet for high quality local handicrafts,
c) a mechanism for promoting quality handicraft production throughout Vanuatu
10) Increasing the number of paying visitors to the Museum.
Importance of the National Museum
The national artifact collection held by the National Museum is the most complete record in this country of the material objects produced by the different cultures and events in the country over time. The collection includes:
• archaeological items (including artifacts used by the first people to settle these islands over 3000 years ago)
• items that represent the material aspects of the different traditional cultures of the country (from over 100 years ago to the present day);
• items from the time of first contact with European civilisation;
• items from the period of the labour trade (‘blackbirding’);
• items from the time of World War Two;
• items from our colonial history;
• items from the period of the struggle for Independence;
• items from the post-Independence period;
• historical and contemporary art.
Much of this material is held nowhere else in this country or the world.
The national artifact collection is useful as:
• an educational resource - for people to be able to know about and understand our cultures, heritage and history,
• an artistic resource - for craftspeople and artists wishing to gain inspiration from their own culture and history, and
• an economic resource - for craftspeople and artists who can create marketable products using inspiration from the older pieces.
The collection is particularly important as a base for the constitution of our national identity, particularly for generations to come. Presently, the collection is being used to tell a story about who ni-Vanuatu are in the exhibition space of the Museum. This is a role that will become increasingly important as more younger ni-Vanuatu lose contact with their own traditions and need to come to the Museum to find out about where they came from and what their identity is.
It is the responsibility of the National Museum to preserve these items for these purposes. It is also the responsibility of the National Museum to present some of the items in its exhibitions to educate ourselves and overseas visitors about who we are.
Tasks carried out by the National Museum
1) Conservation by:
(i) inspecting artifacts for pest infestation, mould or deterioration
(ii) treating objects for pest infestation and mould problems by insecticide spraying (large objects) and freezing (smaller objects)
(iii) repairing (conserve) deteriorating objects
(iv) maintaining cleanliness of storage areas, particularly in relation to insects
2) Latest Exhibitions done and held in the National Museum:
(i) "Late Father Walter Lini Memorial Exhibition" from the 21st February–1st March (Display of archival materials on the life of the Late Father Walter Lini contributed by different sections of the Cultural Centre - National Film and Sound Unit, National Library and Museum, the National Archives and the Lini family)
(ii) “Mani Blong Yumi” Exhibition" held from the 28th July–30th September 2000 (Display of traditional and modern ‘vatu’ money to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Reserve Bank and the 20th anniversary of Independence, organised and hosted in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu)
(iii) “Port Vila Day Exhibition" from the 30th November-10th December (Display of photographs and artifacts relating to the history of Port Vila town. Organised and hosted in collaboration with the Port Vila Municipality)
(iv) "Basket Exhibition"
(v) "New Traditions Exhibition"
3) Other educational activities performed by the National Museum:
(i) Conducting tours of the Museum exhibition for school and other groups
(ii) Assisting students (both local and overseas) with research on the artifact collection
(iii) Giving talks about cultural heritage at schools and other educational institutions (eg. VASTEP) in Port Vila
4) Issuing of Artifact Export Permits
The Cultural Centre is required to certify that artifacts are allowed to be exported and are not restricted under the prescriptions of the act. This is done through the issue of Artifact Export Permits following inspection by Museum staff of the artifacts in question.
5) Lending of the “Monkey” (monkey pija)
The Museum has a preserved monkey in a glass case in its collection, which was received as a donation from the Australian Museum. This monkey is lent free of charge to schools and other communities or organisations to be used for fundraising purposes (people pay to see the monkey).
