Museum chronicles evolution of hip-hop

Rooted in Africa … National Museum Education Officer Ancilia van Staden explains the Hip Hop exhibition.

One would be forgiven for confusing a section of the National Museum in Bloemfontein for a nightclub. In fact, the museum, which opened its doors in 1877, has added a new interactive display that chronicles the evolution of hip-hop music.

The display tells the story of this ever-growing genre from its very inception. It explores emceeing, deejaying, graffiti, as well as break dancing. Visitors are taken on a journey which departs from the genre’s West African influences. Along the way, popular trends and the fashion that defines the culture are explored. The tour ends with the current state of hip-hop in South African. Visitors are treated to music on a dance floor where they can ‘bust a move’ if they are so inclined.
The museum also displays the country’s rich historical and natural history.

The displays are all supported by the 13 active research departments, encompassing both natural and human sciences.

The natural science department includes Acarology, Arachnology, Botany, Entomology, Florisbad Quaternary Research, Herpetology, Mammalogy, Ornithology, as well as Paleontology. The human science department includes Anthropology and Archaeology.

The museum has a long-term plan designed for future generations through constantly improving their displays and by having an impressive pool of priceless historical memorabilia.

“What you see at the museum are a few displays of our entire collection. All the displays are backed by extensive research. We have a number of stores around Bloemfontein where we keep other valuable pieces of history we collected all over the country for future displays,” said the museum’s display designer, Christo Venter.

Walking up the stairs of the museum, visitors are welcomed by the world’s first life-size fiberglass replica of an adult bull elephant while a glance to the left reveals a depiction of a street scene from the early 1900s. The museum also has the largest selection of live animals on display in the country.

Another cap in the feather for the museum is the fact that their research established that the founding of the ANC in 1912 took place at the Wesleyan Church, which was built in 1904 in Fort Street in Waaihoek, and not in the Mapikela House as was generally accepted.

The National Museum in Bloemfontein has an impressive collection of artifacts.

The museum works in conjunction with the provincial Department of Education and offers a comprehensive, curriculum-based education programme with various activities during school terms.

Educational officer Ancilia van Staden said the museum plays a major role in creating a culture of interactive learning through visiting the museum.

“When children do assignments or lessons, we actually help the teachers. When children do a lesson on earthquakes, animals, or insects, we have the real object to show them. We give them an advanced lesson to learn from. The museum gives them a broader perspective of what they learn in class.”

Van Staden added that the museum is open to everybody, with the majority of regular visitors being children, followed by international tourists and adults.

There are more than 120 people employed by the National Museum and its satellites.

The museum is the head office for five other museums in Bloemfontein, which include Freshford House Museum, which is one of the few houses of the upper middle class from the Edwardian period that still exists in Bloemfontein.

Another is the First Raadsaal Museum near the Central University of Technology, which is the oldest remaining building in Bloemfontein. The history of the establishment of the Free State is depicted there.

The Wagon Museum is situated on the same premises as the First Raadsaal Museum. It houses a collection of historical wagons and carriages.

About 45 kilometres from Bloemfontein, the Florisbad Research Station, which is a fossil-bearing spring mound, can be found.

The Oliewenhuis Art Museum, housed in a Neo-Dutch style mansion which served as residence for the governor general of the Union of South Africa from 1942, boasts an impressive collection of vintage and contemporary art and hosts regular local and travelling exhibitions.