With and Beyond Museums: Cultural Heritage Work in the Somali Diaspora

Abstract

This article looks at how new diaspora communities are carrying out heritage <br/>work both within and outside museums. Based on a multidisciplinary theoretical <br/>framework, extensive research materials and long-term collaboration with <br/>Somalis who have been involved in museum and exhibition projects in Finland, <br/>this ethnographic study illustrates how Somalis cherish and talk about their <br/>cultural heritage in diaspora. Our analysis reveals the complexity of diaspora <br/>communities’ cultural heritage and how Finnish museums have – or have not <br/>–recognized the rapidly growing Somali diaspora. It also shows the extent of <br/>independent cultural heritage work that Somalis do outside of the museum. Our <br/>findings contribute to discussions on inclusive museum work.