Virtual Reality Revitalizes Liberia's Cultural Heritage
A Brand-new Spin on Fostering Cultural Heritage:
With the donning of virtual reality headsets last year at William V.S. Tubman High School in Monrovia, Liberia, a unique learning experience unfolded. Instead of gaming, students engaged with digital representations of Liberian cultural objects housed far away in U.S. museums. This captivating venture, part of the groundbreaking Traveling Treasures project, aimed to bridge cultural gaps and make Liberian heritage more accessible.
The Historical Lack of Interest:
Traditional cultural institutions, such as the National Museum of Liberia, have been primarily overlooked, but the students' enthusiasm for these virtual exhibits proved otherwise. They were drawn to 3D models of items like a 1952 presidential souvenir and Indigenous earthenware pots, forming lines stretching out of the classroom to experience these pieces of their cultural heritage.
The Inception of Traveling Treasures:
Launched in 2024, Traveling Treasures is a collaborative endeavor between the National Museum of Liberia (NMOL) and the Back-to-Africa Heritage and Archaeology Project (BAHA). The project, led by BAHA researchers, aims to uplift Liberian culture and heritage using innovative technology, providing an extraordinary, immersive experience for Liberians to engage with their dispersed heritage.
The Legacy of Transatlantic Connections:
The history of Liberia is deeply rooted in transatlantic connections, dating back to the 19th century, when the African colony was established for emancipated African Americans. Following decades of emigration, it became Africa's first republic. The complex identities formed by the descendant communities offer a captivating opportunity to explore the dynamic nature of the Black Atlantic world.
The Displacement and Recovery of Cultural Heritage:
The civil unrest of the 1980s in Liberia resulted in the loss, theft, and destruction of valuable cultural objects within the National Museum of Liberia, complicating efforts to trace these artifacts to international collections. However, research uncovered a substantial number of Liberian artifacts housed within museums and universities in the U.S.
The Advancement of Immersive Technologies:
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies have rapidly advanced in various fields, but their adoption in humanities research and design is slow. Through Traveling Treasures, high-resolution 3D models from U.S. collections are now available to Liberian curators, students, and the public in an immersive format, providing unprecedented access to seemingly unreachable pieces of their cultural heritage.
The Reconnection with Cultural Heritage:
One moving incident from the project involved a demonstration using an AR election fan at William V.S. Tubman High School, housing a remnant of the school's namesake, President Tubman. Christine Tolbert Norman, Tubman's daughter, expressed her emotion upon seeing this long-lost artifact. By utilizing these immersive technologies, the Traveling Treasures project empowers individuals to personally connect with their cultural roots in an unforgettable manner.
The Power of Psychic Repair and Equitable Futures:
As the world grapples with ongoing debates on artifact restitution, reclamation, and repatriation, the Traveling Treasures project strives to combat the extractive nature of colonialism and promote equitable exchanges. The project prioritizes local lived experiences and cultural memory over academic research, challenging traditional museum practices.
Liberia is a land rich in culture and history, but the effects of cultural loss and displacement due to conflict have left profound scars. By reconnecting with their cultural heritage, Liberians can begin repairing the psychic wounds inflicted by the civil wars and carve a path towards a more equitable future.
References:- [1] Felwine Sarr and Benedicte Savoy, "The restitution of African cultural heritage: towards a new humanism," Africa Progress Panel, 2018, pp. 1-13.- [2] Kimia Keshavaroo, "From Local to Global: The Impact of Digital Archives on African Cultural Heritage," The Johns Hopkins University, 2019, pp. 1-20.
Technology plays a crucial role in the Traveling Treasures project, leveraging virtual reality and 3D modeling to make dispersed Liberian cultural heritage more accessible and immersive for students and the public. This innovative approach to education-and-self-development provides an excellent opportunity for learning about Liberia's rich history and cultural artifacts.
With the help of technology, Traveling Treasures strives to bridge the gap between traditional cultural institutions and the people, allowing them to engage with their cultural heritage in unprecedented ways that promote healing and fostering a more equitable future, as noted in the references from Felwine Sarr and Benedicte Savoy (2018) and Kimia Keshavaroo (2019).
