This traditional roof conservation project, partially funded by the U.S. Embassy, involves conserving a piece located at the museum’s entrance with the assistance of the U.S. Embassy and in collaboration with MITD. It aims to study traditional craftsmanship and conserve a piece at the entrance. Conservation will be undertaken using as many materials as possible that were used in the 18th century and traditional construction methods under the supervision of a conservation architect and with the help of artisans from Pondicherry.

The main objective is to study and acquire expertise and skills in these traditional roofing techniques (capacity building) and to train a local group of conservation workers who can subsequently undertake conservation work on the roof before further damage occurs to this historic building.

ISM Mauritius Ltd considers this project a pilot project: to train and acquire conservation skills that will provide ISM with additional scientific data to develop a master plan for ISM and a conservation plan for the building.

A project funded by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, “Correcting the Record” is a process, a movement aimed at expanding the impact of Sites of Conscience by countering hate, violence, and discrimination in their societies through fostering more inclusive historical narratives. The project challenges us to critically examine the singular narratives in our work and practices—those simplistic narratives that exclude the experiences, needs, and voices of minority groups—and to create inclusive historical narratives that promote tolerance, peace, and reconciliation.

The project emerges at a time when museums and memory institutions worldwide are called upon to reassess their value to society and the communities they serve.

It aims to guide Sites of Conscience in this process—meaning in a thorough and honest self-evaluation to determine gaps in community representation in their practices, approaches, and collections (archives, documentation centers, museum interpretative plans, etc.) and to develop effective measures to fill these gaps and build and interpret deposits inclusively, equitably, and holistically.

Whether through collection, archiving, research, documentation, preservation, interpretation, or exhibition, “Correcting the Record” seeks to assist Sites of Conscience in correcting the record of “official” narratives and fostering new understandings of the experiences of those whose voices are not included in historical narratives.

A case study on a community-developed exhibition concept on the Rastafari movement in Mauritius with the Rastafari community in Mauritius has been undertaken as part of the “Correcting the Record” project.

This case study addresses the many complex issues of voice and representation that accompany contemporary cultural collaborations and initiatives with the community.

Our main objectives are as follows:

• Collect testimonials from members of the Rastafari community to create new records/archives for the Rastafari community that are not currently present in historical archives.
• Give a voice to the Rastafari community by providing a safe space and support.

This initiative aligns with the following guiding principles of the ISM:

• Principle 1 (Recognize the importance of individuals of African descent);
• Principle 4 (Encourage a bottom-up approach with community participation); and

Principle 5 (Encourage a team spirit in the conceptualization and design of the museum, bringing together scholars, qualified and experienced professionals, and the community).

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According to the PCP report, visitors expressed the need to humanize the history of slavery. “The museum should show how individuals reduced to slavery regained their humanity through resilience.”

The various artifacts proposed by Dr. Seetah are objects found in the tombs of Le Morne and on land in Albion belonging to individuals considered as slaves, former slaves, or individuals of Afro-Malagasy origin. These materials are extremely rare and unique, originating from Mauritius.

The artifacts found in the tombs demonstrate that slaves or former slaves, though reduced to the status of ‘chattel,’ retained their culture and humanity. The rosary, a symbol of Christianity, is found along with other objects such as a coin also found in Le Morne, which is believed to be a “longanis” (voodoo) practice. Other items, such as pipes and bottles, not part of Catholic funeral practices, have also been found in the tombs. These artifacts show that despite the constraints of their new environment, slaves were able to adapt and develop a new cultural identity.

The Albion cemetery has not yet been identified on a map and is not recognized by the Catholic Church. The acquisition of these artifacts may also be useful for future research on how the funeral practices of these individuals differ from other burials and contemporary practices.