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Ethnology Museum attracts local, foreign visitors

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology, Lok Virsa that features the history and culture of the country, is attracting a large number of local and foreign visitors.

The museum enriches the capital, said an official of Lok Virsa on Sunday while talking to reporters. Most museums in Pakistan set up during the colonial times are archaeological, whereas the Lok Versa Museum is the first state museum of ethnology that depicts the history, culture and traditions of Pakistani people, he added. He said the museum was considered ‘a tribute to the greatness of Pakistani people’.

“The museum is a treasure for the nation, even more valuable than the vault of any bank in the world,” said a foreign visitor. The museum encourages and sponsors research in the regional languages, cultural history, arts, crafts and different aspects of folklore, including folk romances, folktales, ethno-technology, ethno-musicology, ethnological data, history of folk literature and oral traditions of the country.

Visitors take keen a interest in the rare collection of exotic jewellery, including brass and copper work, collected from all regions of Pakistan. Since the museum reflects the culture and traditions of Pakistan, it will help in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage among the new generation, said a Karachi-based student Arsalan. Maryam Javed, a regular visitor, said that such places raised awareness in the youth and foreigners about “our rich culture and traditions”.

The Hall of Antiquity and Continuity is the major attraction, which delineates ancient civilisations - Mehrgarh 8000 BC, Moenjodaro 2500 BC, Harappa 2500 BC and Gandhara 250 BC. The Corridor of Musical Heritage features the best-documented display of musical instruments of Pakistan, and the Hall of Sufis and Shrines depicts the Sufi traditions of contemplations, shrines’ architecture, sufilore, Urs celebrations, rituals and Sufi practices.

Other displays in the museum include colourful depiction of ethnic tribes of various regions of Pakistan in natural habitat, handmade textiles and rare embroidery work. The museum remains open for public from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm. app

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