“Ordinary Objects– Extraordinary People,” an exhibit dedicated to the
study of the eight nomadic tribes of Eastern Africa will be on display
at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) at 345 Broad
Street Waverly from February 4th through the 25th 2012.
Philadelphia’s Betty and Bill Bauman, who with Sultan Somjee, a Kenyan
anthropologist developed the exhibit which was sponsored by the
Mennonite Central Committee. The goal was to prepare a representative
group of indigenous nomadic herders from northern and eastern Kenya to
share their material culture (essential everyday objects) and their
experiences. Today it is the only exhibit of its kind in the world.
Maps of Africa pinpoint the area traversed by the tribes of the nomads
as they eke out their existence in the harsh sub-Saharan environment.
The tribes navigate the desert from one watering hole to the next,
staying for months at a time and then moving on to find a new source of
water and food. Because all tribes are constantly traveling, all
possessions must be portable. Dress consists of sandals, ornate beaded
collars and simple clothing which are represented in the exhibit.
Visitors will also see a Somali hut which is occupied by up to two
adults and three children, and although are made to be portable with its
branches thatched with raffia , it can last 25 – 30 years and can
withstand wind gusts of 40-50 miles an hour. Near the hut, a camel sits
close by with its feed and watering trough while a fire with wooden
stools invites visitors of all ages to sit and take in all that
surrounds them. Simple utensils, ornate headrests, spears and throwing
sticks, and beautifully created milk containers also adorn shelves of
the exhibit, with many more artifacts to discover around each corner.
Visitors are invited to touch, smell and experience the exhibit with a
hands-on approach not seen in many museums today.
The exhibit itself fills nearly 2,000 square feet at SRAC where they
have been redesigning their lecture hall space for weeks in order to
make this an incredible experience for all who visit the exhibit.
Ordinary Objects– Extraordinary People” will be at SRAC from February
4th - 25th during normal business hours (Tuesdays - Fridays 1-5pm, and
Saturdays 11-5pm. ) The public is invited to attend this exhibit as well
as SRAC's own Exhibit Hall filled with thousands of local Native
American artifacts for the same donation requested all year long with
one exception that ALL students and children will have free admission
during the month of February in order to try and allow all kids a chance
to see this incredible one-of-a-kind exhibit.
SRAC’s co-founder and executive director Deb Twigg stated, “Ordinary
Objects– Extraordinary People” is a “city exhibit” that has traveled
from Philadelphia to other large cities in the Midwest and Canada. We
are fortunate to bring it to Waverly, New York for the month of
February, which is also Black History month, and we wanted to share it
with our community. Please try and bring your family to experience it
while it is here.”
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