The Botswana National Museum, also known as the National Museum and Art Gallery, is located in the Botswana capital of Gaborone and is a multi-disciplinary institution that includes the National Art Gallery and Octagon Gallery,[1] as well as—since November 2007—the National Botanical Garden.[2] It displays traditional Botswana crafts and paintings and aims to celebrate the work of local artists.[3]

Botswana National Museum
National Museum and Art Gallery
Museum building (2020)
Botswana National Museum is located in Botswana
Botswana National Museum
Location within Botswana
Established1967
LocationGaborone, Botswana
Coordinates24°39′23″S 25°55′10″E / 24.6565°S 25.9195°E / -24.6565; 25.9195
Collection sizeHistory of Botswana
DirectorMr. Gaogakwe Phorano

The museum is also involved with the preservation of Tsodilo, the country's first world heritage area,[4] among other efforts.[5] It is the caretaker of Tsholofelo Park, the burial place of the "negro of Banyoles," known as "El Negro" in Botswana, following the body's return from the Darder Museum of Banyoles, in Spain.[6]

The museum was established in 1967 via an Act of Parliament and it officially opened to the public in 1968. The museum celebrated a year-long 40th anniversary in 2008 under the banner of "Museum as Agents of Social Change and Development", mirroring that used by the International Council of Museums.[7]

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References

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  1. ^ Michler, Ian (2004). Botswana: The Insider's Guide. Struik. p. 159. ISBN 1-86872-996-6.
  2. ^ "National Museum to Launch Botanical Garden". Daily News Online. Republic of Botswana. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 29 February 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  3. ^ "National Museum Craft Exhibits Unite People". Daily News Online. Republic of Botswana. 4 August 2003. Archived from the original on 24 August 2003. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  4. ^ "Plans Afoot to Turn Tsodilo into Big Tourist Destination". Daily News Online. Republic of Botswana. 24 May 2005. Archived from the original on 28 July 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  5. ^ "Museum Has Programmes for Heritage Management". Daily News Online. Republic of Botswana. 22 May 2003. Archived from the original on 19 February 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  6. ^ Fforde, Cressida; jane Hubert; Paul Turnbull (2002). The Dead and Their Possessions. Routledge. p. 252. ISBN 0-415-23385-2.
  7. ^ Mogomotsi Moloi (19 February 2008). "Botswana: National Museum Celebrates 40th Anniversary". Mmegi/The Reporter. All Africa. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
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