Somali Museum Traveling Exhibit
Minnesota is home to one of the world's largest Somali populations. The Somali Museum in Minneapolis, with over 700 artifacts, preserves and celebrates the culture for the benefit of all Minnesotans. VINE proposes to bring to the VINE Adult Community Center, a traveling display of some of the artifacts in the collection; a talk and slideshow presentation by Museum staff; and the chance to experience a small sample of traditional Somali food. The program will provide a rich cultural learning experience. Older adults from all backgrounds in the Greater Mankato Area will encounter and learn about traditional Somali culture. While there once was a national history museum in Mogadishu, the precious cultural inheritance of the Somali people is rapidly disappearing
75 participated
Diminish harmful prejudice and misunderstanding.
?Provide an opportunity for Somali elders to connect with their culture.
?Increase cultural awareness, and appreciate the culture of some of our newest neighbors from Somalia.
?Provide access to the Somali Museum to people with financial and transportation barriers.
?Experience conversation and fellowship among people who are culturally different, and therefore diminish barriers for future interactions
There were 75 people at the Somali Museum presentation at the VACC on August 17. There were approximately 20 attendees who were Somali. The Somalis in attendance added a lot to the program. At one point, the presenter showed a slide of sheep being herded in Somalia. This prompted a Somali elder in the audience to begin singing a song that is sung in Somalia when herding sheep! It was fun to witness the Somali elders gathering around the museum artifacts. They chatted about the various items in a very animated way. We learned they were talking about the familiar household items in the museum display that they had not seen in years! Both the Mankato Free Press and KEYC-TV covered the event.
Vine Faith in Action Center, Mankato Free Press, Minnesota 93, KEYC-TV, Blue Earth County Library staff