Cataloguing Culture: Legacies of Colonialism in Museum Documentation

Cataloguing Culture explores how colonialism operates in museum bureaucracies, using the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History as a reference. It examines how categories were applied to ethnographic material culture and became routine throughout federal collecting institutions, highlighting the importance of access to and return of cultural heritage.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2022
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

Cataloguing Culture delves into the intricate relationship between colonialism and museum bureaucracies, shedding light on the mechanisms that shape museum work over a span of two hundred years. Drawing upon the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History as a focal point, Hannah Turner meticulously organizes her study around the technological advancements that have defined museum practices. This includes field records, ledger systems, card catalogs, punch cards, and eventually the development of databases. Turner's analysis explores the ways in which categories were applied to ethnographic material culture, becoming standardized practices within federal collecting institutions.

In this context, the book becomes particularly relevant as Indigenous communities grapple with the legacy of imperialism while striving to reclaim their cultural heritage. Through its exploration of the cataloguing process, Cataloguing Culture raises important questions about access to and the return of cultural artifacts. It underscores the need for a more inclusive and respectful approach to the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage, one that recognizes the sovereignty and autonomy of Indigenous communities and seeks to foster dialogue and collaboration.

Overall, Cataloguing Culture offers a thought-provoking and insightful examination of the complex dynamics between colonialism, museum practices, and cultural heritage. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the pursuit of cultural sovereignty and the preservation of their heritage.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 173 x 240 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774863933