THE Museums Department of Brunei Darussalam in collaboration with Tropenmuseum, one of Europe's leading ethnographic museums, yesterday launched an exhibition on Borneo cultures.
Photographs, maps and artifacts are on display at the former Tutong District Office building, exploring the ways in which Borneo cultures and people have been represented within Brunei and Dutch collections between 1870 to 1940.
It also examined the partial stories that a collection can tell and what can be achieved by bringing two collections together.
According to a statement, the contact between Brunei and the Netherlands dates back to the 17th century when Dutch merchants visited the Sultanate of Brunei. During the 19th century, Brunei became a British protectorate, losing the attention of most Dutch merchants and scientists.
Among the articles showcased at the collaborative exhibition is a map of Borneo drawn freehand from the Dutch collection.
"What's fascinating is that, although these images date back to hundreds of years ago, some of the artifacts shown are still used in a number of Borneo cultures today, particularly those in rural areas," said Bantong Antaran, director of the Brunei Museums Department.
He hoped that the Brunei-Dutch exhibition on Borneo cultures will also help to draw more visitors to Tutong District.
Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Brunei-Dutch exhibition on Borneo cultures in Tutong
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