International Museum Day, marked every May 18, is a platform to promote the role of museums in cultural exchange and development. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Museums For Education and Research’.
Acting Director of Museums Pengiran Haji Rosli bin Pengiran Haji Halus underlined this during the launch of the ‘Beads Exhibition: 1000 Years’ at the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum in Kota Batu yesterday.
In his speech, Pengiran Haji Rosli also said the Museums Department has an important role in empowering research and preservation of historical materials, traditions and cultural heritage of the nation.
“The Beads Exhibition: 1000 Years, held in conjunction with International Museum Day 2024, serves as a platform to encourage research and education as well as to foster interest, love and appreciation for the country’s cultural heritage,” he said.
“In empowering research and education, all stakeholders including higher education institutions, government and private agencies as well as individuals, ought to join hands in ensuring the preservation of the country’s heritage.”
The acting director added that the exhibition provides the public with an opportunity to take a closer look at the collection of artefacts, especially beads from archaeological sites in the Sultanate that are more than 1,000 years old.
“Visitors have the opportunity to understand bead artefacts as evidence of Brunei’s early history in forging regional and international relations through trade.
“It is hoped that this exhibition will have a positive impact on the public, especially in raising interest in the society and enhancing research and disseminating knowledge in an effort to preserve the country’s cultural heritage,” he said.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad officiated the launch of the exhibition organised by the Museums Department through the Archaeology and Monuments Division to promote the field of archaeology.
Beads Exhibition: 1000 Years is a continuation of the Archaeology, Linguistics, History and Culture of Borneo Seminar held in November 2013 in conjunction with the Borneo Beads Exhibition, which involved museums on Borneo Island including Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan.
The exhibition is open to the public for three months at the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum.
The beads were found at the four major archaeological sites – the Brunei Shipwreck, Kota Batu, Sungai Lumut and Sungai Limau Manis.
The exhibition also features activities such as an archaeology series presented by local historians and archaeologists, ‘Know Archaeology’ activities, and ‘Exploring Heritage activities.
The ‘Mettae Belait Kittah’ or ‘Know Our Belait’ programme will also be held at the Belait District Museum on May 30. – Rokiah Mahmud
