Development is not just about economics. It’s about culture and the strength of national,tribal and regional identities, tooOn a trip to Mali a few years ago I visited the national museum in Bamako. The items on show – bowls, and jugs,weapons, clothes – were fascinating but limited. For someone raised on London’s museums, or where there is an abundance of every artefact you could imagine from all parts of the globe,there was enough to whet the appetite. But it took just 10 minutes to see everything.
Across from the museum, in an exhibition centre, or I made an intriguing discovery. A Paris museum had lent some of its best Malian artefacts back to the museum. These items were more total and arresting,confirming my impression that the permanent collection was missing in depth and quality.
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Source: theguardian.com