The Wajir Museum (Swahili: Makumbusho ya Wajir; Somali: Matxafka Wajeer) is a museum located in northeastern Kenya. The museum is in charge of showing the different cultures that inhabit Wajir. The museum is managed by the state-owned National Museums of Kenya Corporation. This is the first museum in Wajir County.[1]
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| Established | April 19, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | Wajir, Kenya |
| Type | Cultural museum |
History
editThe building where the museum is located is one of the oldest in Wajir, this building was constructed by Italian prisoners of war.[2] In 2007, the National Museums of Kenya Corporation conducted a survey in which it recommended the establishment of a museum in the larger Wajir district.[3] The building was transformed into a museum and was inaugurated in 2011.[4] One of the reasons the museum was created was to encourage tourism in Northern Kenya.[5] The inauguration of the museum was attended by the Minister of State for Development of Northern Kenya Mohammed Ibrahim Elmi. The Kenya Museum Society donated a DVD player, solar power system and TV set to the museum.[6] In December 2015, the second Wajir cultural festival was held at the museum, the event was organized by the National Museums of Kenya and the Wajir County government.[7]
Collections
editThe museum preserves the historical and natural heritage of this area of Kenya.[8] The museum contains exhibits dedicated to the Northern Kenyan communities such as the Samburu, Gabra, Daasanach, El Molo, Boorana, Somali, Pokot, Turkana and Rendile.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Wajir Country Integrated Development Plan 2018-2022" (PDF). Ministry of Devolution. 2020. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ Muchui, David (2020-07-02). "Tour Wajir for a feel of WWII, cultural heritage". Nation. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
- ^ "Wajir Museum Opening" (PDF). Kenya Museum Society. 2013. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ Silverman, Raymond; Abungu, George; Probst, Peter (2021-08-30). National Museums in Africa: Identity, History and Politics. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-42864-3.
- ^ "Wajir Museum: Geographical location and historical background" (PDF). Wajir Live. 2012. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ Mbuthia, David (2013). "New museum spotlights region with ambitions for tourism" (PDF). Kenya Museum Society. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ "National Museums of Kenya 2015-2016 Annual Report" (PDF). National Museums of Kenya. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- ^ Olubayi, Christine (2019-08-05). "The undiscovered side of Wajir". KBC. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
- ^ "Museo Wajir". Casa África (in Spanish). 2019-04-29. Retrieved 2021-12-16.