INTRODUCTION
National identity can be basically defined as an identity of an individual that brings forth a sense of patriotism and belonging to the mother land or one’s state. This feeling developed within a person creates an urge and passion for sharing with a group of people sharing the common interest. In simple terms, it is sometimes referred as an awareness that comes along with the differences that exist within the individuals (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012).
Ways of representing national identity
There are various ways in which national identity can be represented, one of the most commonly known way was the settler rule set up by different nations around the world to ensure that each and every individual was identified according to their area of occupation. The next way that was commonly used to represent the national identity was the shifting of non-citizen identity to full recognized identification of a person. The most and recent way of representing individual national identity is having a valid national identity card issued under legal process of any republic through birth or registration.
The roles of national museums in national identity
National museums are spaces created by a certain institution in a nation to display and narrate ideas of values and that of national identity through collection of ancient objects. This collection in return ensures that the past is used in a correct manner to bring forth national pride to a nation. National museums create an opportunity for cultural practices of a nation to be preserved (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012). The preservation of cultural practices leads to the formation of cultural policy in a nation which in return makes and develops the notion of national integration. An integrated nation creates a closer union among the people hence promoting the community’s past cultural practices in which the national identity can be based on. In this regard, national museums can be described as a “catalyst” of national identity (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012).
The creation and reinforcement of concepts that lead to the formation and achievement of mutual understanding and social cohesion within a nation is steered by national museums located within a nation. The increase in national unity leads to an increase in patriotism and hence national identity is enhanced. The creation of an ever closer union in a nation regardless of their cultural differences has automatically led to strengthening of national identity in a nation.
The formation of historic national museums led to the creation of cultural unity despite of the cultural diversity that exists in some nations. In a close view of the term national identity, it clearly shows that national identity is shaped by the cultural unity existing among the people. Therefore, the existence of national museums equals the enhancement of cultural unity which in return promotes the national identity.
History of national museums
National museums were first established to preserve the history and cultures of different communities around the world. They were only located in the capitals of different nations and were kept under tight security to make sure that no one tampered with the artifacts. The collections were named by what it was referred to as card index for easy identification of the same (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012). Each and every community had its own pride and on the cultural practices and tools used. The authority ensured that the originality of the community was not lost through preservation in these national museums.
The sudden introduction of digitalization of information and the rapid increase in globalization led to the realization of national museums and its importance is highly regarded in almost all the civilized nations. There has been an increase in storage capacity of museum collections. In addition to this, the current digitalization of information has expanded the two dimension view of specimens to three dimension viewing that includes higher resolution of images and specimens than the analog viewing (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012). Moreover, the introduction of internet has led to faster exploration and have access to collections of different museums around the world within a very a short period of time. Today, according to World Museum Community, it is estimated that there are over 55000 museums in over 202 nations in the world.
Example of different museums around the world
There are over 55000 museums in the world in over 202 nations in the world. The country with the highest number of museums is Mexico with over 128 major museums in Mexico City. The commonly known museums in the world include the following;
- Ta Dzong Museum that is located in Bhutan and has lasted for over 100 years of Bhutan existence and it acted as a watch tower for hundreds of years up to date. The museum has a total number of eleven galleries which are dedicated to Wang chuck dynasty.
- Cayman Island national museum located in Cayman Island
- The Thurston Gardens museum located in Fiji.
- The Dubai Museum
- Salwa Zeidan Gallery
- Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House museum
Thesis Statement
The national identity of a nation is clearly illustrated through the use of national museum as a medium of transmission. In the United Arab Emirates, there have been an increasing number of museums set up in different regions. The Zayed National Museum has emerged to be one of the newest museums to be added in the endless list of museums in the United Arabs Emirates. The national Identity of UAE is openly portrayed through the new look of Zayed National Museum.
History of National Museums
National museums are symbol that reflect national identity of most county. In the United Arab Emirates, museums are the time capsules of civilization that explain and preserve best of human achievement as well as their understanding. Since ancient pottery to time of space flight and time of artworks made on computers, museums remains to be fountains where humankind protects and presents its best (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012). However, if artifacts are always timeless this would lead to museums to stop flow of time. To conquer this powerful trends are now bringing new challenges to the global museum establishment. For instance, there has been biggest developments promise for the cultural sector in Abu Dhabi.
Zayed nation museum has a long history of the region as well as its cultural connections all over the world. The museum tells the story of Sheikah Zayed therefore inspiring every element of the principles of Sheikah to whom the museum is dedicated. The vision of establishment of Zayed was for the region to transform Abu Dhabi as well as leading to establishment of the UAE (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012).
In its establishment and building, there were twelve leading architectural firm from 10 unlike nations who submitted designs for the Zayed Museum in an international design competition. The aim was to create and unique and dramatic building in honor Sheikah Zayed. The building was to consist of cutting edge design, unique construction methods and materials to create a spectacular addition to the Saadiyat Island skyline. The winner was declared to be from internationally renowned architects Foster Partners. The museum creates an iconic symbol for the nation.
On example of a national museum of the West is the British museum which was founded in 1753 and become the first national public museum in the world. However it was opened to the public in the year 1757. It originated from the physician and collector Sir Hans Sloane.
Mission
The museum was to be based on location that is easily accessible by the public. It was grounded in the explanation idea that cultures of human can despite their understanding and differences in one another via mutual meeting. The museum was to be a place where the kind of humane cross-culture searches what could happen.
Bahrain National Museum
The museum is the largest and oldest in Bahrain which is constructed near in Manama. It is rich of collection of Bahrain’s ancient archaeological artifacts. The museum was officially opened in the year 1988 and become the largest and latest museum in the Middle East. The museum has three halls which covers the history of Bahrain from the Stone Age during ancient civilizations.
The Bahrain National Museum constructed to reflect the National Identity as the following. The museum has three complex halls; one is devoted to archaeology and the ancient civilization of Dilmum. The other two depict the lifestyle and culture of recent pre-industrial past of Bahrain. The Natural History Hall symbolizes on natural environment of Bahrain (Hamilton, Douglas, Kate, & Joel, 2012).
Works Cited
Hamilton, Douglas J, Kate Hodgson, and Joel Quirk. Slavery, Memory and Identity: National Representations and Global Legacies. London: Pickering & Chatto, 2012. Print.
