The True Beneficiaries of Museums: Exploring Perspectives and Challenges

The article you provided outlines the themes and narratives explored in the film “Binnigula’sa’ (Ancient Zapotec People)” directed by Jorge Ángel Pérez. The film delves into the discovery and subsequent governmental control of the Cheguigo Monolith, an ancient Zapotec stone figure found in 1960 by Ta Cándido, a 14-year-old boy. This cinematic work questions the role of museums in serving communities, highlighting the disconnect between national heritage and local cultural significance.

The narrative follows Ta Cándido’s journey to reconnect with the monolith at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Here, the story examines the displacement of cultural artifacts from their original communities and the bureaucratic obstacles faced in reclaiming cultural heritage. The museum’s reluctance to relocate the monolith back to Oaxaca underscores the ongoing debate over rightful custodianship of cultural objects. Dr. Carmona, a museum official, argues for the monolith’s inextricability from the museum, further isolating the artifact from its origins and the community’s lineage.

The film highlights class and racial dynamics within Mexico, drawing comparisons to larger international contexts. It demonstrates the disconnection between urban and rural communities and raises questions about the authenticity and integrity of heritage preservation, especially when regional voices are overshadowed by metropolitan institutions.

Through Cándido’s experience, the film draws attention to the vested interest museums have in distancing artifacts from their contexts, thereby transforming living heritage into static exhibits. This issue has global resonance but takes on a unique poignancy within Mexico’s socioeconomic landscape. The film emphasizes the need for a wider conversation on how heritage is preserved and presented, arguing for a reflective approach that honors the cultural contexts and narratives inherent in such artifacts. “Binnigula’sa’” thus becomes a potent symbol of the contested terrain of art, identity, and history in a modern world.