Redefinindo o papel dos museus na preservação do património histórico- cultural: caso dos museus da Cidade de Maputo

Abstract

Museums in the city of Maputo were established at different times and for different purposes. From the literature analyzed, I identified three periods: colonial, post-independence, and from 2010 to the present day. The first period understands museums as repositories, serving as tourist attractions and showcasing the commercial resources existing within the colony. The second period broadens the functions of museums: collections, documentation, conservation, prevention, protection, research, cultural and educational action. In this pos-independence period, some difficulties were observed, including professional staffing, adverse environments, and a lack of financial resources, given the various objectives of the new government. In the third period, museums began to operate in networks and systems of institutional collaboration, increasing their importance for national socio-economic development. Museums also became places for reflection on ideas and problems, and not just spaces to exhibit collections, which are mostly of specific (academic) interest and not for leisure. However, the study suggests that viithere should be greater community involvement in museum institutions as a way to revitalize the preservation of historical and cultural heritage.