Treasured items evoke precious memories

Lifestyle – A new exhibition at Galway City Museum offers an insight into the lives of local residents who hail originally from different parts of Africa. Each one has chosen an item from their past that’s especially significant to them and while these mightn’t be valuable in monetary terms, they’re priceless to their owners, as JUDY MURPHY learns.

A beautifully crafted wooden purse, a small suitcase, a tattered wire-back notebook, a stylish skirt, a check shirt, a colourful wrap, a few old photographs.

Everyday items, but items that are imbued with a deep and special meaning for their owners.

They belong to 10 people who have travelled to Ireland from various parts of Africa to seek asylum in this country. For the 10, these small belongings represent a vital link with home and help them retain their identity in a world full of uncertainty.

They are on display for Keepsakes/Cuimhneacháin, an initiative of Galway City Museum. Each of the precious belongings is accompanied by an account from the contributor about the significance of their chosen item.

The stories transcend borders and cultures as the 10 share details of family connections, special occasions and momentous occasions – sometimes happy, sometimes not.

Georgina Edwiza from Zimbabwe, the facilitator of Keepsakes, chose a ‘Zambia wraparound’ as her special item. It was given to her by her younger brother to whom she is very close. Five years ago, he was kidnapped, viciously attacked and left to die on a remote rail track. An oncoming train crushed his right leg above the knee but the driver rescued the young man and brought him to the hospital, where his leg was amputated. His family were warned that he might not survive, but miraculously he did.

Georgina decided to leave Zimbabwe. Before departing, she visited him in hospital and brought the wraparound with her. They held it and cried as she told him of her decision.

After five years in Ireland, she has carved out a good life here but his gift still connects them, she says.

And whenever Georgina feels homesick she wraps herself in this colourful fabric, connecting herself to her country as well as her family.

For the Museum’s Director Eithne Verling, Keepsakes, which is on display in the building’s foyer, fits perfectly with the institute’s remit. Galway is Ireland’s most multi-cultural city, she says, with almost 20 per cent of its population hailing from other countries, so Keepsakes represents part of our unfolding history.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.