Ethnographic Collecting and African Agency in Early Colonial West Africa: A Study of Trans-Imperial Cultural Flows

The early collections from Africa in Liverpool's World Museum reflect the city's shipping and commercial links with Africa's Atlantic coast. Arnold Ridyard's collections, transported between 1894 and 1916, were shaped by his Methodist credentials and included thousands of artefacts from western Africa. Kingdon's study identifies Ridyards collaborators and discusses their interests and predicaments under colonialism. The assemblage's re-contextualization in museum contexts helps to erase signs of its creation's energies and narratives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 03 June 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Liverpool's World Museum houses a remarkable collection of early African artifacts, showcasing the city's deep-rooted shipping and commercial connections with the Atlantic coast of Africa. A significant part of these collections consists of a vast array of several thousand artifacts from Western Africa, which were transported to institutions in northwest England between 1894 and 1916 by the Liverpool steam ship engineer Arnold Ridyard. While Ridyard's collecting endeavors were undoubtedly influenced by the steamers remarkable ability to connect people and places across vast distances, his Methodist background played a pivotal role in shaping the profile of his African networks. Unlike official colonial authorities, Ridyard was not part of the establishment in West Africa.

Kingdon's groundbreaking study delves into the identities of numerous West African collaborators associated with Ridyard. It sheds light on their interests, predicaments, and the complex dynamics they navigated under the colonial regime. By examining the narratives accompanying their donations and placing them within the broader context of trans-imperial exchange, the study unravels how these individuals forged new identities and sought to challenge expressions of British cultural imperialism in the region.

The study concludes with a thoughtful discussion of the competing meanings assigned to the Ridyard assemblage by the Liverpool Museum. It explores how the museum's re-contextualization of the collection in its exhibits helped to erase traces of the energies and narratives that shaped its creation. This exploration underscores the significance of museums in shaping our understanding of the past and the complexities of cultural heritage.

In summary, Liverpool's World Museum's early African collections provide a window into the city's historical connections with Africa. Arnold Ridyard's collecting efforts, driven by his Methodist beliefs and his ability to navigate colonial complexities, have left a lasting impact on the museum's holdings. Kingdon's study sheds light on the identities of Ridyard's collaborators and their experiences under colonial rule. By examining the narratives surrounding the donations and placing them within the broader context of trans-imperial exchange, the study offers valuable insights into the complex processes of identity formation and resistance during the colonial era. The museum's re-contextualization of the collection further emphasizes the importance of museums in preserving and interpreting cultural heritage, allowing us to understand the past more fully and appreciate the diversity of human experiences.

Weight: 682g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501377884