Museum embarks on cultural exchange

Museum staff introduced the students to the important Torres Strait collections held in Cambridge, many of which originate from the landmark 1898 Cambridge Anthropological Expedition to the Torres Strait lead by Alfred Haddon. They connected with their heritage through extensive study and research of the artefacts and photographs now at the Museum.

Dr. Anita Herle, Senior Curator for Anthropology said, “This visit was part of an ongoing collaborative relationship between the Museum and the Torres Strait…. We’ve had numerous Torres Strait Islander visitors to the Museum over the years – but this was the first time that we’ve worked closely with a student group.”

Remke van der Velden, Collections Assistant for Anthropology at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology added, “It was exciting to have the opportunity to meet and work with people from the Torres Strait Islands. We were delighted the group has chosen to come to the Museum to learn more about the collections we hold here that detail some of their cultural past. This visit further nurtured the ongoing relationship between the Museum and the Torres Strait Islanders. It was a valuable opportunity for both the students and museum to learn from each other about particular objects and I hope the group found it particularly beneficial for their studies and cultural learning.”

During their visit the students were also given a tour of some of the University’s colleges, explored the Torres Strait plant collections at Cambridge University Botanic Garden, attended a seminar on bio-anthropology at The Leverhulme Centre, gave a presentation for the Cambridge Endangered Languages and Cultures Group, and enjoyed a tour of the Fitzwilliam Museum.