Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, in the company of several dignitaries, today opened, On the Move, a special exhibition on view at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) until 14 January 2023. The exhibition explores the lives of nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists across three distinct regions: Central Sahara, Qatar, and Mongolia. Featuring a diverse selection of more than 400 objects – including paintings, historical images, oral historical, archival footage, and contemporary photography -- On the Move explores how these groups created and maintained rich and meaningful social lives, while producing complex and beautiful cultural forms in challenging environments. Artefacts on display are drawn from the collections of NMOQ, Lusail Museum, Qatar National Library and Qatar Museums, along with loan items from international museums including the National Museum of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar., Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, and Weltmuseum Wein in Vienna, among other institutions.
On the Move is one of more than ten exhibitions presented as part of Qatar Creates, the year-round national cultural movement that curates, promotes, and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar and connects resident and global audiences with Qatar’s creative industries. The exhibition also forms part of the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022, an international cultural exchange designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people. As such, the exhibition reflects the creative power and heritage of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia (MENASA).
Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa, said: “As Qatar prepares for an exceptional year in its history, we are pleased to officially unveil On the Move to our local and international audiences. The exhibition provides visitors with a window to our past as we learn from our ancestors’ wisdom to build a brighter future. We are proud of our Bedouin nomadic culture and here is a moment to experience this.”
Commenting on the occasion, Sheikha Amna Bint Abdull Aziz Al Thani, Acting Deputy CEO of Museums, Collections & Heritage Protection and Director of NMoQ, said: “Since its opening in 2019, the National Museum of Qatar has served as a cultural platform that raises awareness of the history and environments that nomads lived in, as well as the contemporary aspects of living nomadically. We look forward to welcoming the wider community to the flagship exhibition of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for a culturally enriching experience.”
Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, Head of Years of Culture, Qatar Museums said, “We are delighted to present On the Move as part of the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022. The exhibition traces the history of nomads not only in Qatar but also across the region, further cementing our commitment to bringing people together. We hope everyone visits the exhibition to learn more about the history of the MENASA region.”
Tania Al Majid, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs in Qatar Museums, said: “We are delighted to officially unveil On the Move, an exhibition highlighting the rich and diverse forms of culture from three regions and celebrating the uniqueness of cultural and artistic forms, diverse expertise, and creative innovation. As Qatar prepares to welcome guests for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we are thrilled to present On the Move at the National Museum of Qatar, an exhibition that takes visitors on a unique historical journey.”
Exhibition Contents
On the Move begins with an introduction of the complex histories and cultures of nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists from three different regions in the world: Qatar, Central Sahara and Mongolia Themes explored in the exhibition include: (mis) perceptions and (mis) representations; living spaces and dwellings; Pastoralists’ relationships with animals and with the environment; the groups rich social, cultural and spiritual lives; historical ruptures; and the influence of nomadic living in arts and culture today.
A gallery on the (mis)perceptions and (mis)representations explores how mass media, art and literature, and academia have played a role in perpetuating stereotypes about nomadic communities. On view are films, such asLawrence of Arabia (UK, 1962), Orientalist paintings and photographs. Contemporary photography of and by the pastoralists is juxtaposed with stereotypical depictions, inviting visitors to question and change their perspectives.
The next gallery highlights the pastoralists’ living spaces and dwellings. Designed to be easily assembled and taken down and transported, these dwellings require advance knowledge of construction techniques, as well as an understanding of the surrounding environment to select the best place to build. The gallery features décor from these living spaces, and explores the functions of interior spaces, such as hosting guests.
The pastoralists’ relationships to their animals are also examined. Although many animals provide essential nutrition to these groups, that is not always their sole purpose. Sheep and goats are most closely associated with pastoralists, providing a main source of nutrition as well as leather and wool. Camels are considered precious and are connected to social prestige as well as transportation. In some cultures, horses are both vital to mobility and herding and represent community legacy and heritage. Falcons and eagles are used for hunting and represent high social standing. For some groups, dogs and donkeys are highly respected.
The exhibition continues with a focus on the groups’ relationships to their environments. It highlights how their navigation is based on close observation of landscape features, patterns of plant growth, the movement of birds and animals, wind and weather patterns, and explores how the scarcity of resources influences how communities rely on nature to create remedies, clothing and much more.
The pastoralists’ rich cultural, social and spiritual lives are explored in the next section of the exhibition. All three regions have profound oral traditions, which this section explores with the narration of three stories. Textiles are highlighted, both as a necessity and as form of expressing social values, customs and traditions. The gallery also highlights celebratory gatherings and different traditions for hospitality.
The following section focuses on political, economic and environmental changes that have affected nomadic life. Examples include the exploitation of natural resources, such as mining, environmental ruptures due to climate change, and how political borders impact the natural paths of the pastoralists.
The exhibition concludes with pastoralists’ development over time, highlighting contemporary changes to lifestyle and transportation. It also examines how the lifestyles, ideas, innovation and creativity of nomadic pastoralists have been a continuous source of inspiration for other people and cultures. The final gallery examines influences in arts and culture today, from music to fashion and architecture.
The exhibition is curated by Professor Lila Abu-Lughod, Department of Anthropology, Columbia University; Tania Al Majid, Associate Curator of Social History and Ethnography, National Museum of Qatar; Faisal Al Naimi, Director of Archaeology, Qatar Museums; Dr. Haya Al Thani, Director of Curatorial Affairs, National Museum of Qatar; Dr. Anja Fischer, Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna; and Dr. Elizabeth Turk, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge.
A collection of gifts inspired by the exhibition are available for purchase at the NMoQ gift shop.
About the National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) seeks to preserve and celebrate Qatar’s heritage and natural history, engage with its present, and inspire the country’s ambitions for the future. The museum, which opened in March 2019, gives voice to the country’s heritage and culture through commissioned films and artworks, storytelling, artefacts, and music, combining wide-ranging scholarship with oral histories of the people of Qatar. NMoQ is organised as a thematic and chronological sequence of galleries, which take the visitor on a 1.5-km journey through immersive, multisensory experiences that provide multiple perspectives. The iconic building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, is based on the form of the desert rose and is composed of large interlocking disks of different diameters and curvatures that surround the restored historic Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani (1880-1957), son of the founder of modern Qatar. Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al-Thani has served as director of the museum since 2013.
About Qatar Creates
Qatar Creates curates, celebrates, and promotes cultural activities within Qatar. Working with partners in museums, film, fashion, hospitality, cultural heritage, performing arts, and the private sector in Qatar, the Qatar Creates platform amplifies the voice of Qatar’s creative industries, directly connecting audiences to events.
About One Pass
One Pass is a gateway to arts and culture for all residents and visitors. One Pass holders will get access to over 300 events and experiences, including art and cultural exhibitions, museums, live events, festivals, theatre, and musicals during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Bearers of the tiered-level pass will enjoy benefits including free admission to all museums, discounts at performances, restaurants, and local retailers, as well as front-of-line privileges for during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.