African Objects Matter: Towards Salvaging, Collecting and Preserving More Cultural/ Historical Objects in South-East Nigeria, Africa

Abstract

The article deals with a set of important questions about the ongoing dangers being faced by cultural and historical objects in some parts of Africa. Many priceless objects are facing the danger of theft, wilful destruction and accidental damage. This brings up some vital questions: what are communities doing to protect their cultural objects and monuments from possible attacks, accidents and erosion? What have the cultural enthusiasts and researchers done to salvage and collect more objects for tomorrow’s history? Primary data such as interviews and secondary data, journals, books and newspapers, are used in the work. The work is qualitative and expository. Data reveal that there are many priceless cultural objects linked to African history that are yet to be collected and preserved for effective heritage sustenance. The study concludes that there are many objects with basic information in remote villages, shrines and sacred places in the South-east part of Nigeria that require immediate attention. Second, the nonchalant attitude of most communities who fail to protect their objects and environment from external wilful attacks indirectly encourages future erosion of priceless objects.