Every new phone update or tech news which makes us rethink our place in today’s world, makes me say wow, the future is here! It’s almost as if the past is rapidly becoming a distant memory with each new status update. 

But what are we as a people if we have no history, no generational knowledge and no historical items to keep and pass down? Therefore, as much as the future is here, let us use its gifts to preserve our history. Virtual museums could be key in protecting Namibian culture, especially if we want to preserve and tell our own stories to the world. 

The remarkable advancement of digital technologies, particularly virtual reality and augmented reality, has opened new opportunities for cultural exploration and immersive experiences. This technological evolution has led to a significant surge in the popularity of virtual museums, transforming how we engage with art and heritage. Virtual museums have made it possible to exhibit intangible cultural heritages, a new frontier in IP protection. 

Notable examples include the Louvre’s Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass, which offers an immersive virtual reality experience that explores Leonardo da Vinci’s artistic techniques and the historical context of the iconic painting. Similarly, the Milele Museum, dubbed Africa’s first virtual museum dedicated to the restitution of stolen artefacts, creates a digital space for individuals to reconnect with their cultural heritage through interactive engagement with historical artefacts. 

Understanding intangible cultural heritage 

Intangible cultural heritage refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognise as part of their cultural heritage. It encompasses a wide range of cultural expressions, including oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and festive events. 

This heritage is passed down from generation to generation, fostering a sense of identity and continuity within communities. In the context of cultural tourism, intangible culture serves as a vital component of cultural tourism infrastructure, enhancing the visitor experience while providing economic benefits to local communities. 

In Namibia, intangible cultural heritage is rich and varied, reflecting the country’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Traditional cultural practices such as the Aawambo’s praise songs serve as vital oral traditions that convey historical knowledge and community identity; the San people’s storytelling, rich in gestures and songs, preserves their extensive understanding of nature and moral lessons; and the Himbas’ use of red ochre in body painting and intricate hairstyles symbolises identity and social status, reinforcing cultural continuity through significant rituals. 

These practices embody Namibia’s intangible cultural heritage, requiring protection to preserve cultural diversity against threats of appropriation and globalisation. 

Using the future to protect our history 

As the world continues to embrace digital transformation, the rise of virtual museums offers unprecedented opportunities to preserve and promote cultural heritage. In Namibia, digital museums can provide a platform to safeguard and celebrate these cultural assets. 

By leveraging enabling technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), Namibia’s intangible culture can be documented and shared with a global audience, ensuring that these traditions transcend geographical boundaries. This fosters cross-cultural understanding, allowing people worldwide to engage with the rituals, knowledge, and expressions that define Namibia’s heritage. 

Moreover, virtual museums play a crucial role in enhancing intellectual property protection by offering a structured means to record and attribute cultural practices to their rightful owners. This creates a framework for managing sui generis rights, a category of IP that is particularly relevant to indigenous knowledge systems. By proactively curating these cultural expressions on digital platforms, Namibia can take steps to protect its cultural heritage from misappropriation, empowering communities to retain control over their legacy in the face of globalisation. 

To effectively replicate successful virtual museum projects in Namibia, the National Heritage Council of Namibia and the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) should consider several strategic initiatives. First, it is crucial to recognise that virtual museums should complement, rather than replace, traditional museums, which remain vital for cultural preservation. Ensuring that existing museums receive adequate funding and resources for the maintenance and acquisition of historical artefacts and traditional knowledge is essential. 

Second, fostering partnerships with local universities can be instrumental in launching projects focused on virtual reality (VR) and cultural preservation. Universities serve as fertile ground for innovative research and development, attracting funding and generating interest among students in multidisciplinary fields. This collaboration can lead to the creation of cutting-edge virtual museum experiences that engage younger generations. 

Lastly, it is imperative to involve traditional authorities in the process of collecting and preserving traditional knowledge. Their insights and leadership are invaluable in ensuring that cultural practices are accurately represented and respected within virtual museum frameworks. 

By prioritising these actions, Namibia can harness the potential of virtual museums to enhance cultural appreciation, promote tourism, and safeguard its rich intangible heritage for future generations. 

*Leake Ileka is a Chevening alumnus and recent graduate of Bournemouth University, United Kingdom, where he completed his Master’s in Intellectual Property Law. For more details, visit his LinkedIn profile.