Trade and Cultural Identity: Three Museums on a Historic Route

The Khalifa House in Khartoum, the Sheikan Museum in El Obeid and the Darfur Museum in Nyala lie on a traditional trade route out of Western Sudan, to the capital Khartoum. Each museum hosts collections speaking to the community and history of the local area, as well as being nationally and internationally important. The Khalifa House has the first car in Sudan whilst the displays in the Darfur Museum were created through donations from the community.

Decades of conflict in Sudan have devastated communities, damaged heritage facilities and led to a loss of heritage skills. By revitalising three community museums in Sudan and providing training in heritage skills, this project will ensure the museums are protected and that their collections are valuable community and educational tools.

Community Museums

Using traditional methods, local craftsmen and trainees will restore the Khalifa House and the Mudeirah Gate, and infrastructure at all three museums will be improved to ensure the museums are fit for the collections and their communities. Through training, a 5 year conservation management plan will be developed for each museum leading to better heritage management in the future.

On-the-job training in conservation, recording and cataloguing will lead to the protection of around 20,600 artefacts. Through the creation of new displays and a programme of workshops, educational and cultural events, communities will develop tools and understanding to protect and engage with their cultural heritage.