THE NEED FOR A KURAMA MUSUEM- by Editorial Board

Globalization is one reality that has come to stay; the world is integrating (politically, economically, socially and culturally) into a global village. That is the rapid retrogression and going into extinction of cultures and civilizations that are weaker is ever evident and eminent. This is so due to the transfer of knowledge and culture (especially popular culture) through communication technology. So, this reality has shown for a fact that weaker cultures with feeble traditional institutions to sustain it, would surely disappear, only to be remembered as part of our forgotten memory or imagination.

The fact that we all must accept is that the Kurama culture and history could fall victim of this invading phenomenon called globalization, if a decisive and expedient action is not taken to salvage it. Have we really put into consideration the fact that the Kurama people cannot boast of a document produced by them that contains either the history of its cosmology or its contemporary history (until recently). At this age and time we are still using references gotten from anthropologist and its history written for academic purpose.

Still yet, if we are observant, it is vivid to note that the language is fast fading out, because the youth population barely speak or understand the dialect. The most unfortunate part is that these youths are now getting into marriages and are producing children who would have distant contact with the dialect, of which if not addressed expediently would be the nail to close the coffin of the dialect before burial.

Also worthy of note, is the widespread ignorance of our youth about their culture and history; this have made them aliens to the Kurama identity. Due to the definite nature of death and the unreliability of aged memory, the youths are being denied the opportunity to know and understand their identity. The naked truth is that if one does not know where one is coming from, then one is lost to where one is, and to where one is headed to in the future. The above highlighted issues are what necessitated this write up; in this light, below are issues that should as a matter of patriotism draw the attention and consideration of all well meaning Kurama sons and daughters.

The need for a museum for storage of the Kurama culture and history can not be overemphasized by any stretch of the imagination; this is so because it would only be a shame if we all allow the  culture and history of a great people go into extinction. So, as defined by the Macmillan English Dictionary, “a museum is a building where many valuable and important objects are kept so that people can go and see them”. With the preceding definition, it goes a long way to suggest that a Kurama museum is needed in order to preserve the cultural artifacts and history of the existence of a great people, so that people (especially posterity) can come and see.

The establishment of a Kurama museum is a service to posterity, because they would have the opportunity to have a close contact with their identity through visits to and research in the museum. Definitely due to the museum, they would know where they are coming from, so it would give them a better perspective about where they are headed to. This would give them a high sense of pride in their identity, and would also provide them the needed confidence to identify with their origin.

Furthermore, the museum would serve as a resource centre for research and reference, where detailed information about the Kurama people can be accessed. With time, the museum would attract scholars from all works of life. It would also afford young Kurama men and women the opportunity for them to research into their history; this would ensure new discovery in both information and artifacts.

After putting this into light the aforementioned reasons for why a Kurama museum has now become a matter of urgency and necessity, it would only be pertinent to also consider the likely benefits of a Kurama museum to the community.

First, it would afford posterity access to their history through artifacts and written works about their identity, thereby promoting a high sense of pride and patriotism to the Kurama nation.

Secondly, the museum would encourage research and writing, and the expansion of Kurama history. This would be possible because the museum would provide the needed written materials and artifacts; this would make the museum a resource centre for accessing information about the Kurama people.

Thirdly, the museum would serve as a tourist attraction for people who want to wet their appetite for visiting historical centres. This would serve as a source of revenue for the Kurama chiefdom; in addition, it would open the doors of the Kurama people for the attention of both the public and private sector.

The above points, are just a few among the direct benefit that the Kurama people stand to gain, but in order not to over flog the benefits, it would only be pertinent to also proffer some recommendations on how the Kurama people can establish a museum for their community.

First and foremost, there is an urgent need to set up a high powered committee of academicians and personalities that are vast and knowledgeable about the Kurama culture and history. This committee is to be broken into sub-committees, that would be responsible for coming up with the design and detailed plans on how the museum would be structured in terms of the building, content, management and administration. After the detailed design, the committee is to organize a fund raiser, in order to mobilize the funds to embark on a belated project of building a befitting museum for a great people.

In this same line, a foundation or institution is to be established in order to promote research and writing on Kurama culture and history. As stated earlier, the institute would be charged with the responsibility of mobilizing historical and cultural materials, for research, documentation, writings and other scholarly works to be kept in the museum.

In conclusion, it is the responsibility of all Kurama sons and daughters, to ensure that the Kurama culture and history does not go into extinction. This can only be achieved if we are able to mobilize the commitment of  the people, their intellect and the needed resources to accomplish this lauded project, for the common good of the community and posterity.