Making a case for combating historical dissociation of the ‘Bushmen’ collection at the Iziko Museums of South Africa

Abstract

The study aims to make a case for coining and including historical dissociation as a risk to museum ethnographic collections. The research is based on a 2019 collaboration project between the Iziko Museums of South Africa and representatives of the Khomani San people, where a selection of objects from the ‘Bushmen’ collection were examined by the Khomani San. Iziko’s archival records, notes, and transcripts of the 2019 project highlighted differences between the museums’ recorded provenance and details of the objects and the Khomani San’s knowledge of those objects. The ‘Bushmen’ collection could thus be said to have been impacted by historical dissociation. The present case-study research proceeds by documenting and conducting visual examinations on a selection of the objects reviewed in 2019, along with follow-up interviews with the Iziko staff involved in the 2019 to understand how historical dissociation has impacted the conservation and curation of these indigenous objects and how the inclusion of source communities in caring for their objects can combat the threat of dissociation. The goal of this paper is to raise awareness of historical dissociation as a threat to collections and highlight the importance of revisiting older museum collections for possible historical dissociation, as this impacts the narratives presented to museum staff, visitors, and researchers. By recognising the indigenous knowledge and intangible significance of museum ethnographic collections, museums such as Iziko can create an equal and transparent relationship between themselves and indigenous communities while at the same time pursuing goals of diversity, inclusivity, and museum decolonisation.