National Museum of Unity (Enugu)

Museum specialized in ethnographic objects from different communities of Southeastern Nigeria

Enugu's National Museum of Unity
Image by Enugu State Government
Type:	Cultural Museum
Country:	Nigeria
Establishment:	2006

Enugu's National Museum of Unity is a museum located in southeastern Nigeria, specializing in ethnographic and archaeological objects from this region of the country.

History

After the end of the Civil War, it was decided to establish different institutions to preserve and promote the different cultures of Nigeria, in 1979 a decree was established to create a national museum in the city of Enugu.

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In May 2006, the museum was officially opened to the public.

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Some of the museum's exhibits have been featured and covered in detail through various segments of the local NTA station in Enugu, short for Nigerian Television Authority, the country's state broadcaster.

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Collections

The museum has different ethnographic and cultural objects of Igbo communities such as masks and costumes, which are similar to those used in celebrations held in Enugu such as the Mwanwu Festival.

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The museum also includes archaeological artifacts from neighboring states such as the Cross River Monoliths, the site of one of Nigeria's earliest civilizations, which were documented in the early 20th century in a tropical rainforest area.

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In addition, the museum has traditional Igbo textiles such as the Akwete cloth from Abia State, also the museum has pieces of pottery and traditional plates used in the production of oil palm and sculptures depicting deities of the Igbo religion, also known as Odinala, among these deities are Nkwu Alusi.

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References

1. "National Museum of Unity, Enugu" (2020-04-29) Enugu Metro.

2. Nwafor, O. (2014) "National Museum of Unity Enugu and the Struggle for the Survival of Cultural Institutions in Nigeria", 4(2), 118–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/19301944.2010.10781391

3. Emeka, O. E., Afamefuna, E., & Nneoma, O. (2016). "Communication modes in Nigeria and their contributions to tourism development in Enugu State, Nigeria" Murdorch University

4. Schnittpunkt, & Baur, J. (2020). Das Museum der Zukunft: 43 neue Beiträge zur Diskussion über die Zukunft des Museums. Transcript Verlag. (Page 216) (in German and English)

5. Hokkaido University Newsletter No. 9 (2007) (Page 7)

6. Alozie, B., Ihediwa, C. N., Nwashindu, V., Ngonadi, J. U., & Ugwuanyi, J. K. (2014). "Interpreting Women’s History through Museum Relics: Lessons from the National Museum of Unity Enugu" Portland State University & University of Nigeria