Crossing Continents: Connecting Communities

• New partnerships: new perspectives • Project review Opposite Children during creative Foreword workshops in Harrow Afghan Partnership

Once the rooms of the Royal Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation, John Lyon’s Connecting Communities project we Geographical Society echoed with Charity and with specific support from have encountered new insights which male Victorian and Edwardian voices the Department for Children, Schools add to the landscape of our geographical announcing new geographical and Families for our Afghan strand, our understanding. ‘discoveries’ made, lands mapped three year programme has developed The Society has been delighted to share and encounters with the people of new exhibitions and education resources our geographical Collections with our Africa and Asia. It was from the Society through partnerships with the Afghan, community partners. However, the real that the geographers of the 19th and East African, Chinese, and Punjabi source of joy has been to witness the early 20th century set out to bring communities. shared perspectives that have brought back new geographical understanding Crossing Continents: Connecting contemporary relevance to our historic to quench the British public’s thirst for Communities also helps to advance items and widened understanding of new knowledge about the world. the Society’s work in highlighting and others’ views. We may not yet know the In recent years our rooms have promoting the importance of geography final destination of any future ‘learning resounded not only with researchers, in the 21st century. Through geography journeys’ into our Collections. However, students, the public and policymakers everyone can understand more fully the what we do know is that the Crossing but also with new and different voices, world’s people, places and environments, Continents: Connecting Communities including those of Punjabi ex-servicemen, and how and why they are changing. project has ensured that these will now Afghan teenagers, Chinese children and Our work, as one of the leading learned be shared journeys on which we will East African women. It has been through societies, takes us into schools and embark together. these voices that we have revealed new universities and connects us with policy discoveries, mapped new relationships makers and the public. Dr Rita Gardner CBE and re-encountered our shared Director Once it was the blanks on the world Royal Geographical Society with IBG geographical and cultural histories map that motivated people to travel with modern and inclusive accents. to seemingly distant lands. Today very Through our Crossing Continents: few, if any, uncharted blanks on the Connecting Communities project we map remain. Now it is the search for have rediscovered our geographical understanding of the processes that Collections, bringing new relevance and shape and change our world and of new meaning to some of our 2 million different perceptions of that world that maps, photographs and documents inspire new intellectual and physical dating back many hundreds of years. journeys. As illustrated in the following Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, pages, through the Crossing Continents: 2/3 Introduction From Kabul to Kandahar 1833-1933

In 2004, the Society’s historical collection the Heritage Lottery Fund, Esmeé Fairbairn available to view at the Society. In of maps, photographs, books, journals, Foundation and John Lyon’s Charity with addition, the exhibitions toured education, documents and objects became additional support from the Department community and cultural venues across fully accessible to the public through for Children, Schools and Families for the the UK, and also internationally. the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Afghan strand. Education resources for primary and Unlocking the Archives programme. The programme aimed to increase secondary school pupils were created This programme provided a new access for communities to whom the for formal and informal teaching exhibition pavilion and Foyle Reading Collections directly related. The Society settings. Online resources for Key Room, alongside online access to the also wanted to draw wider public Stage 2 and 3 geography, history Society’s Collections and accompanying attention to the Collections, develop and citizenship teaching, available via educational activities. It was followed in educational activities and to promote www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org, and 2005 by the Designation of the Society’s greater understanding of our shared hardcopy packs with content suitable Collections, this recognition identifies geographies and histories. The Crossing for informal teaching in supplementary pre-eminent collections of national and Continents: Connecting Communities schools were developed to link to the international importance held in England. programme addressed these objectives exhibitions. In addition, the Society also The opportunity to use our Collections by creating a series of exhibitions hosted creative education workshops in partnership with a wider range of and education resources around four during the presentation of the exhibitions. audiences was highlighted within the geographical and cultural themes, award of Designation, the Society’s This partnership approach was new to the each related to the Afghan, Chinese, citation noting, Society and proved to be a challenging, East African and Punjabi communities “the wider cultural significance yet rewarding process that saw many in the UK. of the collection is fully demonstrated other unexpected and welcome in the application. The collections… Community consultation for the outcomes. This publication provides an offer a unique access point to the development of the programme was at overview of the programme and reveals understanding of cultural exchange the core of all activities. A total of twenty the dedication and contribution of the and encounters around the world. community partners, with cultural ties to community partners, workshop Commitment to broadening the four themes, took part in consultation facilitators, specialists, researchers, audiences… is evident.” workshops. They provided personal academics and Society staff during In 2006, a three year programme entitled reflections on the Collections which the course of the Crossing Continents: Crossing Continents: Connecting shaped the development and content Connecting Communities project.

Communities was launched to increase of the exhibitions. The exhibitions were Vandana Patel public awareness and interaction with our accompanied by talks and ‘showcase’ Project Coordinator Harpreet Kaur Sanghera collection. This project was supported by events during which original items were Project Education Officer 4/5 6/7 3 Horse dealers, Kandahar B Simpson1881 Bombay Africans 1850-1910

4 Jeweller’s shop in a bazaar BDeCardi c.1930 Sariks Turkoman women, Maruchak,1933 Group of Hazaras, Kandahar Ahmed Shah’s Tomb, Kandahar In the streets of Kandahar B Simpson 1881 Belooche’s in the Bolan Pass Street in the bazaar, Canbul J Atkinson 1842 Ayaub’s ambassadors Char Su, Kandahar B Simpson 1881

5 Ramsay taking photos TRJWard1903

Mosque at Baber’s tomb, Kabul G TVigne 1836 In the streets of Kandahar B Simpson 1881 Dr Gray and Armenian interpreter Van derWyde1895

6 Children during creative workshops in Harrow Afghan Partnership 8/9 10/11 7 A Livingstone, T Livingstone, Programme development A Susi, J Chuma and Rev. H Waller, Nottingham R Allen and Sons 1874 and outcomes

8 The four partnership strands developed into the • Muslim Women’s Welfare Association, Illford Reminiscence workshops with adults provided Liberation by the Royal Navy exhibitions and education resources listed below: • North Hertfordshire Sikh Education Council invaluable commentary that was used to guide the T Baines1859

DvdPearson ©David • Obay Supplementary School, London development of exhibitions and included within Afghan Partnership Sidi Mubarak Bombay • Sangat Group, London the accompanying interpretative panels. The J A Grant 1860 Exhibition: From Kabul to Kandahar 1833-1933 • Soho Family Centre, London historic Collections triggered discussions covering Education Resources: Afghanistan – Moving Uganda railway • Tanzanian Women’s Association, London complex issues and emotive memories from R E Critchley 1907-18 Stories (online) • UK Punjab Heritage Association the early recollections of arrival in England as Mathew Wellington, c.1930 Chinese Partnership • The Undivided India Ex-Servicemen’s Association immigrants, to the exploration of ‘homelands’, Exhibition: Seeing China: Community Reflections national histories and British identities. This Education Resources: China – Snapshots in Time The development of community partnerships commentary provided unique and alternative 9 (online) and Seeing China – Snapshots of the was an integral part of the Crossing Continents: interpretative voices; revealing stories of hardship, Mazagon Hill, Bombay Past and Present (pack) Connecting Communities project. Community acceptance and pride. Inaccuracies within the Francis Frith & Co.1883 partners contributed to the project from the Society’s Collections catalogue were also highlighted East African Partnership Mathew Wellington beginning and assisted with short-listing items through this process; places and landmarks were Exhibition: Bombay Africans 1850-1910 W McGregor Ross 1910 from the Collections for use during workshops correctly relocated, dates questioned and rare Education Resources: Encounters – Images Joseph Thomson, with their groups. The Society also commissioned items identified, enriching the Society’s own of Empire (online), Kenya – A Changing Nation James Chuma (left) specialists from the community such as journalists, curatorial understanding of the materials. (online) and Stories from East Africa (pack) and Makatubu museum professionals and oral historians to carry Rev. J B Thomson 1896 Exhibitions Punjab Partnership out detailed research into the Collections and to Each exhibition was displayed at the Society for a ‘The main stream came Exhibition: The Punjab: Moving Journeys provide an essay outlining items of interest and key up to Susi’s mouth’ period of two months. Over 26,000 visitors viewed Education Resources: India –Pictures of the themes that resonated with them. Themes for each D Livingstone 1857 the exhibitions at the Society during the project Past (online) and Pictures of the Punjab (pack) partnership were left 'open' and only determined Moobarik (Mubarak) Bombay period. Approximately 25% of these visitors were after all community consultation workshops had Community partnerships from culturally diverse backgrounds and the majority James Chuma taken place. Maull & Co. c.1874 Community partners were primarily London had not visited the Society before. The comments based and had not had contact with the Society Community partners took part in a series of book provided a space for them to reflect on the before. Our partners were: workshops, a total of 60 workshops were led by exhibits and add to the debates that they had 10 13 experienced facilitators, often from the same observed. The exhibitions provoked a wide range • Afghan Association of London, Harrow Bombay Africans 1850-1910 cultural background as the groups. All sessions of responses; gratitude for unknown histories being exhibition, 2007 • Afghan Association of London were recorded enabling the Society’s team and revealed and for complex issues being raised, as Supplementary School, Harrow Workshop at the Society external advisors, such as invited academics, well as interest in the educational role of the exhibits Workshop in Enfield • Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail specialists and community coordinators, to review and the topical nature of some of the subject matter East African Partnership • Brondesbury College for Boys, Brent, London and develop further the themes and issues that prompted many visitor comments which included • Camden Chinese Community Centre arose during discussions. the following: Youth Group, London • Cartwright Hall Young Ambassadors, Bradford Workshops ranged in style and content and were “Excellent! I never in a 1000 years thought I • Chinese National Healthy Living Centre, London dependent on the age and interests of the groups. would witness such history of the Punjab here • Congolese Community in the UK Children focussed on creative responses through – being a Punjabi this is so enlightening.” • Friends of Maasai People, London performance poetry, photography and drama “Thank you for going to the trouble to put this • Ghanaian Elders Group & Black Cultural workshops. These workshops, which covered unique exhibition together. My father served Archives, London themes such as enslavement, war, independence in the Punjab Frontier Force Rifles (Piffers) • King’s Cross Neighbourhood Centre, London and identity were developed into short films to during World War II and held a life-long love (Chinese Adults & Children’s group) accompany the exhibitions. of the country and respect for its soldiers. • LancasterYouth Group, Ladbroke Grove, London Fascinating history.” 12/13

“With a son serving in Afghanistan this was a Touring exhibition programme Education resources and activities “Beautiful, high quality visual materials which Additional partnerships alike. Four universities in Lahore confirmed fascinating insight into the terrain and customs are not easy to find.” The development of the Crossing Continents: exhibition tours in 2009 and Dr Pippa Virdee, “Excellent and informative. It’s great for education “These resources and the exhibition provided of the country.” Lord William School, Oxfordshire Connecting Communities project has brought academic consultant on the project, presented and I will recommend my local library service stimulating and relevant content for my lessons with it many new partnerships, some planned a talk in Lahore at the launch of the tour. This “What a surprise – sometimes there is something obtain this exhibition for its gallery spaces.” in year 7.” “Very interesting and engaging resources whilst others were unexpected. The media played strand also attracted history students from that connects memory, history and emotion… Visitor comment Geography teacher, St Columba’s School. which challenge children to think.” a part in the international attention the project has De Monfort University; a group of thirty attended a just like the maps I see today.” St Cuthbert and St Matthias Primary School All the exhibitions toured regionally and were Each strand of the Crossing Continents: Connecting received, bringing forth queries from academics, research trip to the Society as part of their course. “I am British, but have lived for most of the last provided free of charge to educational, community Communities project developed linked education Onsite schools workshops for pupils aged from 7 museums, writers and individuals worldwide. Following consultation workshops on the project, 10 years in China and Malaysia – so it is and library venues.The four exhibitions were shown resources for Primary and Secondary school pupils to 14 accompanied each of the exhibitions. A total From Kabul to Kandahar 1833-1933 proved to be two community partners applied for funding to start interesting to see the ‘reverse’ perspective of in 36 venues and were viewed by c. 35,000 visitors. and included online resources for use at Key Stage of 1680 pupils from 55 schools attended creative topical and the BBC website featured two online their own education projects – both citing the the Chinese who have made their home here.” Venues include Edinburgh University Library, the 2 and 3, education packs for use in supplementary workshops with professional workshop facilitators galleries showing a selection of collection items. Society’s Collections as an integral part of their Centre for Global and Development Education, schools and onsite workshops for pupils exploring including poet Sundra Lawrence, storytellers Anna “I would like these stories to reach many more Organisations in Kabul are looking into developing new projects. Somerset, Walsall Town Hall and Cartwright Hall, the key themes raised within the exhibitions. Katama and Jan Blake and drama tutor Kumiko people – especially the generation of my children an exhibit using the Society’s Collections based Bradford. Many schools have borrowed the Mendl from The Yellow Earth Theatre Company. and grandchildren who know very little.You don’t Online education resources were developed by on research carried out for this strand. exhibitions and used them in conjunction with Sessions were developed to explore themes, know who you are until you know where you the Society Project Education Officer and teachers. their accompanying online resources. Teachers ideas and concepts raised within exhibitions and The Bombay Africans 1850-1910 aroused interest come from.” The resources include fact sheets, downloadable have reported that they have used the exhibitions included poetry activities based on the Society’s in academic circles and resulted in two papers activities and galleries that enable teachers and “What hits me is what would be the motivation across subject areas, illustrating that the subject Afghanistan collections; storytelling and drama being delivered at international conferences. The students to access the Society’s Collections and for the men to carry and look after Livingstone? matter need not necessarily be confined to workshops exploring the inspirational tales of the Bombay Africans also featured in a book, Smoke explore them as part of geography, history and They were carrying guns and could have geography, history and citizenship. The Bombay Africans; drama and discussion workshops Othello by novelistVanessa Walters; the Black citizenship curricula. Over 44,000 users have overpowered him at any time.” exhibitions will be online from June 2009 at exploring China’s past and the Three Gorges and Asian Studies Association Newsletter 49 accessed the website to utilise the teaching W www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org . Dam project; creative writing and drama sessions (which marked the bicentenary of the abolition “Knowledge is certainly power! I have often resources and materials. exploring the partition of India and its repercussions of the British Slave Trade) featured a showcase of wondered how explorers like David Livingstone International interest in the exhibitions was W www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org on the country and its peoples. poetry produced by members of LancasterYouth were able to navigate themselves to all the an unexpected welcome addition and led to “I used the Bombay African stories for all Group and each of the Bombay Africans was also unknown places in Africa. It still baffles me why reproductions of the Bombay Africans1833-1933 “The children loved the artefacts and really my Key Stage 3 assessments.” provided with a Facebook profile and they now have historians of the day choose to neglect to tell us exhibition to tour Kenyan Museums in 2008 and enjoyed looking at real pictures. The children Dance teacher, St Columba’s School. a number of virtual friends. A copy of the exhibition these little known histories. Thank you for taking The Punjab: Moving Journeys exhibition embarking were really interested in the topic (partition) was also donated to the Kenyan Museums service. the time to share, more people should see this on a year long tour of four Lahore based Universities Printed education packs have been produced because of the empathy they felt for the people. Time Out Mumbai featured an article which was exhibition!” in 2009. specifically for use in supplementary schools, I am hoping to base our class assembly on later followed up by a talk in Mumbai by Clifford as many do not have online access. The packs the work we did.” “The exhibition engaged a wide audience with Pereira, consultant on the exhibition. include images and maps from the Society’s Teacher, Hallfield Junior School an interesting subject matter in a stimulating Collections and are intended to supplement and Artists Grace Lau and Anthony Key agreed to and accessible format. Hopefully this triggered “I thought the outing would be a bit boring, but extend elements of the Key Stage 2 and 3 history, the inclusion of their artwork in the Seeing China: greater interest in both geography and African it turned out brilliantly and now I love geography… geography and citizenship curricula. Packs Community Reflections exhibition, enhancing studies, as well as the history of the Bombay it was a truly wonderful experience.” developed include: Stories from East Africa, key themes with wit and impact. The educational Africans themselves.” Pupil, Norbury School Seeing China – Snapshots of the Past and publication Primary Geographer devoted three Lecturer, University of Edinburgh Present and Pictures of the Punjab. “Students from Africa and their parents were pages to the Chinese strand, highlighting the fascinated with the information.” benefits of using archival resources in the classroom. Teacher, Mapledown School The partition of India and the fragmenting of a regional Punjabi identity covered in the exhibition The Punjab: Moving Journeys drew in academics and the Indian and Pakistani Punjabi communities 14 /15 Exhibition themes

From Kabul to Kandahar 1833-1933 Enquiry into the Society’s Collections for Bombay Africans 1850 -1910 the African diaspora in the Middle East (Western Community consultation partners Seeing China: Community Reflections representations of Muslim cultures led to the Asia) and Indian subcontinent prompted research • Congolese Community in the UK. Coordinator: “How nice to find information on Afghanistan “Another hidden history brought to light! “If I were to return to China…I do not have many development of this exhibition on Afghanistan. into contemporary communities in these regions Ackys Kituba and FrederickYamusangie presented without media hype or political The comments by the community groups friends (there) and life would be boring. I don’t Research revealed a number of photographic and a new map charting this was created to Bakalandwa; Philemon Dombele, Senga Kanguma, idealism.” and the young people add poignancy to belong there anymore. I have got used to life albums from the 1850s onwards documenting conclude the narratives for the many Africans who Odimba Kasende, Marie Louise Pambu, Ngunga Visitor comment the historic material – an informative and here and really don’t want to move anymore.” the region for British military and administrative never went back to Africa. Ngoma, Richard Ntaka and Benjamin Shamashang thought provoking exhibition.” Community participant Themes purposes. A series of beautiful yet haunting • Friends of Maasai People, London. Coordinator: Visitor comment “I would like these stories to reach many more Addressing stereotypes and negative public images following the Second Anglo-Afghan war Mercy Kiminta; Sean Arts, Antoinette Gellen, Daniel “As a half Chinese person, half Irish who was people – especially the generation of my children perceptions of Afghanistan was central to the (1878-80) taken by Benjamin Simpson, Surgeon Themes Kungu, Jack Muchemi, Davis Murundegwa, Peris born in the UK and whose father escaped from and grandchildren who know very little.You don’t development of this strand. The exhibition General, form the basis of the display; they include The Society’s connections to exploration in Africa Yiapan and Joseph Masindet China, I am very interested in its history.” know who you are until you know where you covered the history of Afghanistan pre1800; the images of a war-ravaged Kandahar and group in the 1800s and the African men that assisted • Ghanaian Elders Group & Black Cultural Archives, Visitor comment. come from.” cultural and religious diversity that resulted from portraits of Afghan officials, diplomats and locals. expeditions became the focus for this strand. London. Coordinators: Jacine Cooper and Suzanne Themes Mwatumu, community partner its location on important trade routes in Asia; Published journals by John Alfred Gray, physician Based on research carried out by historian Clifford Ngo-Eyok; Dame Betty Asafu-Adjaye, George The subject of identity and migration arose and Anglo-Afghan contact in the 19th century. to the Amir from1885-89, and Ernest and Annie Pereira FRGS into the histories of the Bombay Collections items Blankson, Herbert Bokari, Kobina Bresi-Ando, frequently in discussions and individuals of varying Thornton, manager of the Amir’s tannery and Africans, the lives of Sidi Mubarak Bombay, Portraits of the Bombay Africans had been Margaret Bresi-Ando, Daniel, Douglas Darko, Community partners wanted this strand to reflect ages were keen to reflect on their diversity, culture, his wife are used in the exhibition to annotate Abdullah Susi, James Chuma, Mathew Wellington previously identified in the Society’s Collections Comfort Ofosu-Mintah, Georgina Sah and pride in their culture and history and to present values and experience. Participants often addressed photographs and a selection of illustrations by and Jacob Wainwright were explored. Their since many of these men received RGS medals Emmanuel Yaopreku Wilson-Kpikpi an alternative perspective to that portrayed by their ‘Chineseness’ from a diverse cultural viewpoint James Atkinson from 1842 of bazaars, places histories revealed childhoods traumatised by that recognised their contribution to the • LancasterYouth Group, Ladbroke Grove, London. the media of the conflicts in the region. The themes rather than one associated to a physical place; a and landmarks. enslavement, of forced migrations across the expeditions they were members of. Further Coordinator: Ghino Ghafar; Misha Badar-Sadafri, commemorate Afghanistan’s place in history and result of multiple migrations over many generations. Indian Ocean eventually leading to liberation and research into the Collections provided additional Caddesia, Kiah Daley, Martha Emaha, Chris Facey, reveal the numerous and significant cultural, political Commissioned essays The exhibition addressed these themes by giving life in India, and then travel back to Africa through information about the identified materials, Liam Hodge, Ade Jones, Lakeisha Joseph, Malik, and economic encounters and exchanges that • Rediscovering the Middle East: The Royal an overview of the history of Chinese migrations joining the expeditions of explorers such as Burton, alongside new discoveries such as a new image Conrad Mitchell, Ellis Mitchell, Savannah Omoregie, have taken place over the centuries, emphasising Geographical Society’s Middle Eastern globally, recounting the experiences of individuals Livingstone, Stanley, Speke and Thomson. of Mathew Wellington as a younger man. Materials Jazz Reid, Jo Jo Reid and Cleveland Willamson how these legacies have continually connected (Western Asian) Collections by Steve Brace and providing a glimpse of British encounters with related to David Livingstone’s expeditions were • Obay Supplementary School, London. Coordinator: people to one another’s histories. The exhibition • (Re) Claiming Britain by Hammad Nasar The importance in revealing these hidden histories China that had influenced the migration of Chinese included to convey his story and the strong links Ade Adeshina and Diane Martins; Emmanuel provided an opportunity to discuss early British • Cars, Caravans and Camels – Journeys to Muslim and emphasis on creating biographies for these people. Cities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and he had with the Bombay Africans. Key items such Adejoro, Katherine Adejoro, Hakeem Adeshina, encounters with Afghanistan and the three Anglo- Cities across the Centuries: Kabul, Algiers, Medina African explorers formed the core around which London were used as a backdrop to illustrate as the illustration by Thomas Baines of liberated Kareem Adeshina, Temidayo Akinmoladun, Afghan wars that took place in the mid to late 19th by Sara Wajid other themes such as the Indian Ocean slave these complex shared historical events and the men and children on HMS Lynx, a diary entry Temitope Akinmoladun, Asamoah, Anthony Assin, century; these records revealed an often divided trade and the African diaspora in Asia were exhibition included work by artists Anthony Key Community consultation partners by Sir Percy Z Cox about his encounter with an Nathan Banjugu Seisay,Vanessa Boamah, Ayanna yet resilient country that united when under attack. placed. By illustrating their lives, achievements and Grace Lau to provide contemporary visual • Afghan Association of London, Harrow. African pearl diver in Abu Dhabi, and an album Brisbane, Jesse Caxton-Idowu, Levi Ezekiel, and relationships with the European explorers, commentary on pertinent issues. Community partners were keen to present a Coordinator: Hooshang Paigair; Ashna, Nader of photographs by explorer J A Grant provided Simeon Goering, Jackline, Sheriece Johnson, community partners were keen to have these narrative that allowed audiences to observe Hassani, Shureesh and Wahida Zalmai rare insights into the Indian Ocean slave trade. Kelvin, Mickel Macall, Joshina Mackenzie, Fariha The role of women in Chinese culture both historically men presented as role models with achievements the complex evidence and come to their own • Afghan Association of London Supplementary The Bombay Africans history spans a wide Miah, Maisha Miah, Lavinia Mireku, Darnell Morris, and in today’s society also arose; this was due to to their name and as explorers in their own right. conclusions about the region, its history, and its School, Harrow. Coordinator: Frohar Poya Faryabi; geographical area that includes Tanzania, Kenya, Stephanie Odidi, Stephen Odidi, Amy Ogunlana, the high number of female participants and also Their stories also demanded the reassessment people. Contemporary images were also added Atifa, Tarana Fazal, Aryan Ghafuri, Karima Ghufun, the Congo, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the Yemen and Ashrafu Rahman, Oba Shabaka Thompson, due to the inclusion of Isabella Bird Bishop’s story of the histories of exploration; the recognition of to provide a glimpse of day-to-day life in Shahir Nojo and Omid Sheirzai India – photographs from the Collections for each Sharon, Abu Suma, Boma Tariah, JenniferTariah as a lone Victorian female traveller in China in the indigenous skills and expertise within this area Afghanistan today. • Matthew Tariq Wilkinson and the pupils from of these countries brought to life this compelling, and Danielle Williams- Bowen 1890s. Areas of discussion included marriage, and how these stories are retold. emancipation and education amongst others. Collections items Brondesbury College for Boys, Brent, London. yet little known history. • Tanzanian Women’s Association, London. • Professor Siad S Hashimi, Moheb Mudessir, Reference to the lesser known Indian Ocean slave Commissioned essay Coordinator: Mariam Kilumanga; Beth, Ezera “An interesting, revealing and compassionate “We are really impressed to see our Afghani past.” Daud Naji, the Afghan Embassy, London and trade also provided a comparative narrative to that Chomete, Amanda Christian, Upendo Ernest, look at things once lost and emotions ignored; • The Bombay Africans and the Nineteenth Wahida, community partner Chris Kempton from the Victorian Military Society of the Atlantic Ocean slave trade, whose abolition Baruani Karenga, Uli Kyusa, Anna Lukindo, only to be remembered in this beautiful, Century Exploration of Africa by Clifford Pereira was commemorated in 2007 when this exhibition Mwatumu Malale, Mariam, Abubakr Msuya, thoughtful and reflective exhibition.” was shown. Questions from the community about Nora, Patricia, Ralph and Meleiina Stefano Visitor comment 16 /17

Collections items Lee, Kevin Lee, Kotka Lim, Pui Yee Liu, Shing Chi The Punjab: Moving Journeys Second World War and subsequent life in Britain and provided a trigger for collective reminiscences. Atter Kalsi, Inderjit Kaur, Jasvir Kaur, Meerat Kaur, The Society’s collections covering China are Liu, Hoi Ying Ou, Kajun Pang, Kakay Pang, Kayan and are quoted within the exhibition. Images of Punjabi women were few, however, a Amrit Maan, Amandep Madra, Joga Singh, “Being a British Punjabi girl I found this exhibition considerable and research helped to focus the Pang, Amy Yuan and Natalie Yuan ‘Western’ female voice was found in the book From Kamaljit Singh, Parmjit Singha and Dr PippaVirdee very insightful and it helped me find my identity The impact of multiple migrations and partition themes. Visual and written records by Isabella • King’s Cross Neighbourhood Centre, London Winter India: Travel and adventures of an American • The Undivided India Ex-Servicemen’s Association. and learn about my roots. This exhibition is prompted questions about Punjabi identity – was Bird Bishop provided a female point of view that (Adults’group). Coordinator: Judith Yung; Lai Wah woman in the India of the Raj by Eliza R Scidmore, Bhajan Singh Bahia, Gulzara Singh Bir, Rajinder excellent for the young Indian and Pakistani it something that was still relevant? The latter part contrasted to Captain GSS Gordon’s images of Chan, Suel Hoong Chan, Ching Lin Cheung, Chin 1903. Accounts by Punjabi or Indian travellers and Singh Dhatt, Harbans Singh Gahunia, Moktiar generation living here in England.” of the exhibition explored the ‘layered’ identities the British presence in major cities; whilst John Ling Cheung, Kam Hou Cheung, Liu Yin Chin, officials such as Munshi Mohan Lal,1834 served to Singh Rai and Simitar Singh Visitor comment that community members found themselves Thomson and the Ato Photographic Association’s Fung Kam Choi, Danyue Fu, Jenny Hu, Lin Hu, contrast experiences and views presented by the inheriting including that of being British and the photographs reflected detail within cities and Mrs Law, Hon Hang Lee, Mee Oi Leung, Chu Themes British including that of the Christian missionaries. concepts of personal and community identity. scenic landscapes. Photographs of people were Lee Li, Chong Ji Lim, Yin Ching Liu, Quynh Ai Ly, This strand originally explored Sikh culture, but The groups also reflected broadly on the diversity Commissioned essays selected to reflect diversity and to emphasise Tai Fook Man, Mui Kim Monuent, Rui Xian Ou, following community consultation it was changed of Britain and other immigrants and found parallels • Panjab – Lost Pasts to Claimed Presence: individual histories that had remained untold. Mrs C L Pang, Siew Bee Tan and Mrs Wong to address the Punjab, bringing together Indian with other communities beyond the coverage of A Songline Through Ancestry, Homeland and Popular texts The Yangtze Valley and Beyond • Soho Family Centre, London. Coordinator: and Pakistani, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh Punjabi this strand. Belonging by Parminder Chadha by Isabella Bird Bishop and The Silent Traveller Florence Hong; Janet Chen, Jia Chen, Eva Cheuk, community voices. The Punjab region in North • The Followers of Mohammed by Irna Qureshi in Oxford by Chiang Yee were quoted to raise Jia Cheuk, Wai Ming Cheung, Dean, Yu Feng West India was partitioned in 1947 based on “It has taken me into my 40s to realise that my • Punjab Collection Audit by Paramdip Khera, questions and offer differing perspectives of Huang, Jessy, Joanna, Leanne, Ngan Lin Leung, religious grounds, coinciding with the end of life has been defined by partition; not in some British and Chinese travellers. Modern images Lisa Li, Lian Ti Liew, Lin, Patrick, Xiu Li Pong, Alice British rule in the sub-continent. Discussions with abstract conceptual, emotional sense…but I Community consultation partners of China were placed next to historic pictures to Qiao, Raymond, Shinghei, Landy Siew, Steven, community partners revealed three clear themes, am a child of refugees and refugee families, on • Cartwright Hall Young Ambassadors, Bradford. reflect on the complex nature of progress and Ngan Lai To and Yip Chi Yin those of loss, migration and identity. both sides.” Coordinators: Sofia Maskin and Nicola Fox; migration in a globalised economy and society. Parmjit, community partner Salma Ahmed, Amrin Bhatti, Simon Cantrill, Successive generations of religiously and culturally Fizza Ilyas, Hafsah Javed, Tanzeela Javed, Commissioned essays diverse rulers in the region have shaped and “As I come from a partitioned country (Ireland) Sabah Mahmood, Aneela Maqsood, Zakiya • Chinamen and Englishmen: an exploration influenced the Punjab and its culture.The community I found the parallels striking.” Maskin, Carl McBride, Sedhaf Naz and Lucas Uren of identity by David Chan partners suggested that this regional evolution Visitor comment • Muslim Women’s Welfare Association, Ilford. • Exploring the Length, Breadth and Heights should be central to the story of the Punjab. Collections items Coordinator: Shahida Sarwar; Noreen Akhtar, of China by Lee Fulton The theme of loss therefore was not confined Maps were used extensively in this strand to show Fauzia Aslam, Nasreen Azra, Zebun Bashir, Abida • Through the eyes of a woman traveller: Isabella to territorial rights or ancestral homelands; it principalities, infrastructure development, population Beghum, Parminder Kaur, Nadia Khan,Yasmin Bishop in China (1879-1897) by Siu-fan Lee was felt on a cultural and spiritual level. Punjabi’s densities, and the distribution of languages and Khan, Samina Malik, Ila Mehta, Munazza Naqvi, shared a language, cuisine, music, identity and Community consultation partners faiths. These maps helped set the scene of the Sumera Naz, S Nazish, Kausar Perveen, Mushyeda much more, the 1947 partition abruptly severed • Chinese National Healthy Living Centre, London. pre-partition Punjab and also explain the process Shah, Naghma Shaikh and Aneela Sheikh these connections. Loss was also expressed by Coordinator: Jenny Lam; Chooi Yoke Choong, of partition. Communicating the impact of partition • North Hertfordshire Sikh Education Council. community groups in relation to migration, a direct Kiu Chung, Koon Sang Chung, Chrung Kiu Ho, was achieved using these maps, allowing reflection Coordinators: Harwinder Singh and Paramdip result of partition itself and also the result of the Sze Mui Kwok, Choi Lai, Kwai Mui Lai, Wu Wan Lin, on their importance as accurate records whilst at Khera; Jasdeep Kaur Dhillon, Kuldeep Dhillon, British presence in the region. Pak Lo, Kou Mui Ng, Wong Ying Tang, Man Kuen the same time highlighting their oversight of the Oupkar Ghatore, Bonita Theara, Jamie Theyara, Tse,Yuk LinWong,Wan LinWu and Lai FongYeung The influence of the British in the region led to ‘human’ scale; which was all too evident in the Kieran Theara, Marcus Theyara and Roseanne • Camden Chinese Community CentreYouth Group. development as well as major upheaval and mass violence that followed partition. Photographs Theyara Coordinator: Wing Hong; Lap Chan, Cynthia Chui, migrations; the canal colony constructions led to taken during the Gilgit Mission of 1885-86 by • Sangat Group, London. Coordinator: Parminder Kenny Huang, Julian Li, Angel Liu, Pam Liu, the relocation of Punjabi’s within the Punjab, whilst military personnel illustrate British and Punjabi Chadha; Amarjit Chandan, Harbakhsh Singh William Liu, Chinh Truong, Fan Yang, Yin Ben heavy recruitment of Punjabi’s, Sikh men in officials in their finery and provide evidence of a Grewal, Kuldip Puwar, Jasbir Jessie Rayat, Naseer Yu and Yin Ho Yu particular, into the British army led to migrations growing British presence. A selection of images Sheikh and Ajit Singh • King’s Cross Neighbourhood Centre, London within India and across the British Empire. Ex- depicting landmarks such as the Golden Temple • UK Punjab Heritage Association. Coordinator: (Children’s group). Coordinator: Judith Yung; servicemen attending workshops conveyed their and Lahore Fort showed the influence of the VerinderSingh; Amarjit Chaggar, Kamaldip Singh Carmen, Becky Cho, David Ho, Sindy Ho, Andrew personal experiences of partition, serving in the many rulers and cultures that the region had seen Dhatt, Davinder Dhillon, Harbakhsh Singh Grewal, 18 /19 Special thanks Seeing China Community Reflections

Community Workshop Facilitators East African Strand: Anthony Barlowe, Sarah Afghan Strand: Frohar Poya Faryabi and Rinku Mitra Haynes, Helen Martin, Rinku Mitra and Tessa Willy East African Strand: Dzifa Benson, Beyonder, Chinese Strand: Anthony Barlowe, Margaret Rinku Mitra, Richard Mkoloma, Zagbar Oyortey Mackintosh, Rinku Mitra and Tessa Willy and Clifford Pereira Punjab Strand: Margaret Mackintosh, Rinku Mitra The Heritage Lottery Fund, Esmeé Chinese Strand: Siu-fan Lee, Veronica Needa and and Tessa Willy Fairbairn Foundation, and John Lyon’s Kumiko Mendl (The Yellow EarthTheatre Company) Project Supporters Punjab Strand: Farina Alam, Parminder Chadha, Charity for kindly supporting the Afghan Strand: Adam Gardner Crossing Continents: Connecting Rinku Mitra, Clifford Pereira, and Irna Qureshi. East African Strand: Dr Mubarak Abdulqadir and Communities programme. Exhibition Development Dr Ali Salim Baakabe of the Fort Jesus Museum, • Rolex supports public access Led by Vandana Patel (Project Coordinator) Kenya, Bexley Archives Centre, Kenya Wildlife Trails Ltd, Dr Kaingu KTinga (Krapf Museum to the Society’s collections Afghan Strand: Deborah Dunham and Rinku Mitra Rabai, Kenya), Sara Wajid, Neil Williams and • From Kabul to Kandahar 1833-1933 East African Strand: Clifford Pereira Naomi Woddis was funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families Chinese Strand: Paul Bevan and Diana Yeh Chinese Strand: Anthony Key, Grace Lau, and Helena Lee Punjab Strand: Dr Pippa Virdee (De Montfort University, Leicester) Punjab Strand: The Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail, Rashid Project Team Ashraf, Gerard Greene (Redbridge Museum), Vandana Patel: Project Coordinator Exhibition Advisory Panels Green Cardamom, Moti Roti, Nicolas Reynard, Harpreet Kaur Sanghera: Project Education Officer Afghan Strand: Frohar Poya Faryabi, Professor Simon Rudd, Professor Ian Talbot, Andy Wallace, Steve Brace: Head of Education & Outdoor Learning Siad S Hashimi, Moheb Mudessir, Clifford Pereira, Sara Wajid, and Neil Williams Angela Schlenkhoff from the Institute of Afghan Foyle Reading Room Team Studies and Sara Wajid Filming/ Photography and Editing Julie Carrington, Julie Cole, Francis Herbert, East African Strand: Dr Hassan Arero (Horniman East African Strand: Dan Saul for short film Justin Hobson, Pauline Hubner, David McNeil, Museum), Professor Felix Driver (Royal Holloway Bombay Africans Jamie Owen, Eugene Rae, Sarah Strong, University of London) and Lowri Jones Jan Turner and Joy Wheeler Chinese Strand: Dan Saul for short films Chinese Strand: David Chan, Lee Fulton, Florence The Family, Looking Back and My London Hong, Wing Hong, Jenny Lam, Clifford Pereira, Punjab Strand: Farina Alam for short film Hannah Phung, Rinku Mitra and Judith Yung My Journey Punjab Strand: Clifford Pereira, Paramdip Khera, Cara Lucas, Amandeep Madra, Rinku Mitra, Irna Community Engagement Evaluator Qureshi and Paramjit Singh Kate Pontin

Education Resource Development All material copyright of the Royal Geographical Led by Harpreet Kaur Sanghera Society with IBG unless stated otherwise. (Project Education Officer) Education resources and exhibitions are available Afghan Strand: Rinku Mitra online at: W www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org 20/21 22/23 19 GreatWall of China H Ponting 1907 The Punjab Moving Journeys

20 Peking,1900 Kites, Peking Ato Photographic Association1930-35 Europeans in sedan chairs, Hong Kong, c.1900 Shaohsing Ato Photographic Association1930-35

21 Chinese children from Kuldja,1878-82 Canton Ato Photographic Association 1930-35 Children of China Town, Los Angeles, California,1900 Group of European children, Fukien I Bishop 1895 Physic Street, Canton J Thomson c.1889 The Kwei Family C P Skrine1922-24 Kajgar Chinese women with small feet, c.1880

Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong R C Hurley 1897

22 Drama workshop, Camden Reminiscence workshop, Camden Drama workshop at the Society Chinese Partnership 24/25 26/27 23 Bakshi Mulray (Governor of Gilgit) and Mehal Singh (Commanding From the margins Radur Regiment),1865-66 to the mainstream

24 As guest curator and advisor to the response makes it [geography] more community perspectives are placed Dancer, c.1920 Crossing Continents: Connecting accessible to an audience somehow. alongside academic commentary on Temple, Amritsar E N H Cameron 1914 Communities project I had a unique I could only measure this through my the same public platform. The use of

Bombay Sappers and Miners, perspective on this project. It brought engagement with the whole project specialists who may not be academics West Punjab,1897-98 together my interests in a number which was one of interest, curiosity and but draw their expertise and interests Cart crossing Bias River of areas; as a professional active in excitement. It challenged me to work in from the fields of art, theatre and media Capt.C M Ritchie 1906 Gandhi Saturday in Karachi community heritage, as a Fellow of the new ways with new material using my is another innovation. This marks the D Oliver 1930 Society itself, and through my academic skills as a drama facilitator.” Many of debut of the Society to London’s heritage Sikh sentry, Fort Johnston, Malawi interest in geography and history. From the communities involved could be sector – a factor that has only been made H Johnston 1891 all these perspectives it is clear to me considered as relatively disenfranchised possible by the new exhibition pavilion Map detail: Cantonment and environs of Umritsar,1868-9 that Crossing Continents has been an within Britain today, be they immigrants, and Foyle Reading Room which has astounding success. The aims of the socially polarised urban communities much potential still left to be tapped. project pose two questions. Basically or inner city youths who had been 25 The most important point is that this who was the Royal Geographical excluded from school. However, this Officers of the Gilgit mission,1885-86 project demonstrates a changing Society doing this for and to what aim? disenfranchisement also rings true Kojhak railway tunnel, Lahore relationship between academic A CYate 1896-97 The resultant project has helped change with respect to the way in which these geography and our society. The view Embroiderers,1910-20 the way the public views the discipline communities are represented within that community and specialist non- of geography – a process that some British history and the history of other academics are of equal value, if not academics would consider as the countries. The Tanzanian community more valuable for their ability to reach construction of ‘public geographies’. illustrated this when referring toTanzanian out to audiences than academic 26 This has occurred within the project in history books, often written in the 1960s, expertise alone.To see a family of Maasai Consultation workshop, Southall a number of ways. that failed to mention the Bombay Africans Workshop, Bradford in their traditional clothing wander the Punjabi Partnership in the study of geography and history in The model of the project development corridors of the Society and admire Africa itself. This underlines the impact of The Punjab: Moving Journeys included considerable input from a painting ofWilfred Thesiger with exhibition, 2008 ‘Eurocentric’narratives and the inequalities the heritage sector – a discipline not the backdrop of a Samburu (an ethnic it brings in the teaching of world geography usually associated with geography. group related to the Maasai) is a major and history and the importance of The introduction of ‘Indigenous Agency’ cultural change for the Society. My innovative critical thinking. for archive interpretation and narrative previous personal experience of the construction by the community has been The project includes a big institutional Society is seeing the Maasai featuring for the benefit of the wider community. change within the Society by the creation as static subjects in a photographic aaHaq Sara © One facilitator involved in the Chinese of ‘public geographies’; where activities exhibition, or as backdrops to a strand stated that “The personal such as workshops are valued and presentation on a lecture on African 28/29 Opposite Students from a Brent secondary school during education workshops at the Society about the Punjab

wildlife or at a book launch – often on, or Arguably the Punjab strand suggests great success. Furthermore the project by some European who either travelled that the use of geographical mapping has successfully redistributed the in Africa or decided to experience “life on was paramount in the process of partition. ‘capital’ of political, cultural, economic the plains”.It is important to personalise This leads public challenge of the role and social geographies to distinct geography, thereby reducing distance of cartography in today’s world and the communities. Strands of the project have from landscapes, to see the far reaching role of cartographers as experts in the quite literally crossed continents and cultural, economic and environmental construction of new geo-political entities made innovative and challenging historic effects of our lifestyle. Indigenous agency (e.g. the formation of the new Balkan and cultural connections that are opening has a role to play here, highlighting the states after the collapse ofYugoslavia). doors to positive dialogue. I believe need for cultural brokers or intermediaries In the case of the Punjab this also that through the Crossing Continents: to create discourse. challenged the public perception of Connecting Communities project the a culturally distinct India and Pakistan Society has brought new insights, new The production of historical geographical – before partition they were joined at partnerships and new future possibilities knowledge has a resonance to the very all levels, geographically, historically, to its work in supporting the cutting edge core of British geography and the Society. spatially, socially and by shared language, of geographical thought and development This is exemplified in re-examining and culture. The public is encouraged to in the United Kingdom and beyond. of the role of the perceived “followers” question if a map legitimises ownership, in the story of African exploration in statehood, and distinctness – or is it a Clifford Pereira FRGS the African strand of the project. This Guest Curator construct for political gains. Who makes strand also highlights the psychological the map and for what reason? Does it tell importance of portraying non-Europeans the full story or is there a specific agenda? in geographical history, and hence increasing the interest of geography Clearly the outcomes demonstrate that at secondary school and university level through the defined model of project for Black and Minority Ethnic students development, academic geography – especially boys. And this was evident has become personal geography and in the cheers that echoed around the discipline has taken an active role in the Society’s Ondaatje Theatre when the development of discourse between the LancasterYouth Group, of which academia and the public as well as some members had been excluded among the public. Geography, and from mainstream school, presented human geography in particular, has their creative responses to the been brought to the public in a form not Bombay Africans. previously seen in the discipline, with About the Royal Geographical Society with IBG We are a learned society and professional body for geography, supporting and promoting geographical research, education, expeditions and fieldwork and public understanding of our world. We also advise on policy issues and provide information services.

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