Protecting Our National Heritage

Cameroon joined the world on 9 June 2013 to commemorate the International Day of Archives. Taking advantage of the event, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Ama Tutu Muna organised an awareness event at the National Archives in Yaounde where the public was invited to see what the country disposes as our collective memory.

From every indication, it was the first time the country was celebrating the event highlighting problems with our archives definitely taking into consideration the Cabinet meeting of 2012 that focused among others on the need to digitalise archival documents in Cameroon which until now have unfortunately been like a mass of rubbish.

Yet, no one can doubt the major role that archives play in the evolution of any community. Many researchers have often been blocked or obliged to go abroad in search of information about Cameroon.

This may be just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the hurdles that a poor archive system can cause.

Since independence, Cameroon has basically functioned with paper work and physical contacts which leave behind little concrete evidence about the key events in the life of the nation. One simply needs to move round most ministries and public buildings to see the sorry site of the volumes of documents most often thrown outside for want of space. The problem could even go as far as our cultural values are concerned. Elsewhere like in West Africa, people are easily identified from their dress patterns, cultural artefacts, monuments and other symbolic art works that portray their past and even project where they are going. But ask most Cameroonians any question about their cultural heritage and they would be blank, simply because nothing exists to remind them of who they really are. Yet, God alone knows how much of a rich culture Cameroon has.

Understandably, when the Minister of Arts and Culture; talked of the need to sensitise the public on the role of archives and taking on reforms in the sector to a logical end, the diagnosis is not hazardous. The nature of the archival system in Cameroon begs for questions. Ask even those living in Yaounde where the National Archives are located and their ignorance will not surprise anyone. Talk less of making use of the material that is found therein.

Even worse, the globalisation trend that has led to the digitalisation of most precious documents for better storage has not meant much to Cameroonians. People continue to hold firm to old habits. This is not to say such original documents are not important, but the country must move a step ahead by mixing both the digital and hard copies of what truly represents Cameroon's identity and history. It therefore means first of all, assembling what exists as the country's heritage and then preserving such valuable information in an organised manner for posterity. Unfortunately, both aspects have largely been wanting in the country. Such absence may explain the general indifference by the public during festivities marking the International Day of Archives. The rich quantity and quality of information that already lies in the National Archives was for once opened to everyone. Yet few cared to visit the centre.

By wanting to preserve the country's archives in modern digital forms, the Ministry of Culture is surely taking a salutary decision in that individuals would be encouraged to supply valuable documents in their keeping that could better serve the general public if kept in an archive. Such an effort will also help protect our national heritage from decay.