A Mini World of the Seven Sisters
Born out of appreciation of the Church and the love of the Salesians for the culture of the North Eastern part of India emerged a mini world of lively accessible and complete world of indigenous people---The Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Culture (DBCIC).
Situated in Mawlai, though not a much talked about place for a visit, DBCIC stands out to be a unique and wonderful museum which is a treasure place of cultural heritage providing an overview of the whole of North East India under one roof.
In terms of design the DBCIC is startling; built in a hexagonal shape, its seven floors represent the seven states of the region rising in Shillong’s skyline like a flame with a message that if culture are understood well, they can light up and brighten up efforts to build a peaceful, developed and progressive society.
With 56,000 square feet of floor space and 15,154 square feet of display wall space, this mammoth creation holds exotic collections, well maintained galleries with artefacts preserved by Air Dehumidifiers.
The initiative of setting up this masterpiece of culture has its roots in the love of Don Bosco for the peoples’ culture said DBCIC director Father Joseph Puthenpurakal narrating the idea that developed behind the construction of the home for the seven sisters. He said that the foundation stone of the museum was laid in July 1994, and by October 2000 the construction work was completed. He said that the setting up of the galleries and other interior works which had started by them were completed by the middle of 2004.
However, this museum which today paints a picture that it does not lack infrastructure is geared up to add more to its asset like computerization of the museum where one can relate with each item in it to know them better, Father Joseph said.
One has to take two hours time to see all the seventeen galleries displaying artefacts and paintings which some dignitaries in the state as well as visitors from Germany, France and others remark “This is an extraordinary cultural and educational museum. The concept of the building itself is creative and bears testimony the love for the people of North East India by the Don Bosco fathers and their religious associates.”
What to see in the galleries?
Introductory Gallery
With the help of four panels the visitors are given an overview of the whole of North East India. The flora and fauna panel is colourful and attractive.
Prehistory Gallery
The origin of the Universe and Man is shrouded in mystery. There have been efforts to unravel it. Creation and evolution are the two important answers. While the Creationists say that God is the author of the universe and of the origin of man, several evolutionists hold that the universe evolved gradually from simple to complex, from one cell amoeba to man. Today, many scholars are of the opinion that both Creation and Evolution are not contradictory in terms. Evolution requires a moving force, which the creationists would call the “Divine Intervention”. The Prehistory gallery tries to explain the history of Man’s gradual evolution as expounded by Physical Anthropologists.
Land and people’s Gallery
This gallery provides a beautiful overview of the places and peoples of the North East. 32 large size photographs in colour, 26 in black and white and 18 life size fibreglass figures and 60 busts adorn this exciting presentation.
Fishing and Hunting Gathering Gallery
The varieties of baskets used in fishing and the implements used in hunting and the types of containers used during harvesting are indeed astonishing. They give the visitor a glimpse into the creativity and genius of the people’s of the North East.
Agricultural Gallery
Three types of agricultural practices are shown in this Gallery by means of exceedingly beautiful dioramas. The dioramas depict wet cultivation, jhum (or slash and burn or shifting) cultivation, and terrace cultivation. A 255 year old mighty tree in the middle of this Gallery is a graphic demonstration that if slash and burn cultivation disappears from the area; North East could be dotted with huge trees like the one present here.
Traditional Technology Gallery
The peoples of the North East are industrious in their village surroundings. The dioramas showing pottery, wine making, basket making, black smith, gold smith, weaving, wood carving, leather works and cane making provide a quick tour of the North East with appropriate explanations.
Basketry Gallery
A wonderful diorama showcasing four different tribes (Assamese, Karbi, Khasi and Naga) engaged in the same occupation of basket making. The realistic village setup takes the visitor to the remotest corners of the North East. The innermost section displays articles which people use in their homes. A feeling that one has visited many houses in the North East accompanies the visitor as he/ she moves into the next Gallery.
Musical Instruments Gallery
Here the eyes can feast on traditional musical instruments. Once digitized with the help of touch screens, this excellent collection of musical instruments will mesmerize all visitors, especially music lovers.
Religion and Culture Gallery
Twelve large panels guide the visitors through the major religious beliefs and cultures of the world. One cannot rush through it if he/ she prefer to read everything written in this Gallery.
Weapons Gallery
Traditional weapons may not be in use now-a-days. But the Gallery preserves them to enter the past and to experience how people struggled to protect themselves and their dear ones.
Costume and Ornaments Gallery
This is another feast to the eyes. The display of traditional ornaments, shawls and colourful tribal costumes literally take the visitor to the remotest villages of the North East. The Gallery has life size fibreglass figures of men and women of several tribes in their traditional dress: Nishi, Tangsa, Nocte, Apatani, Adi, Mizo, Manipuri, Mao, Angami, Khasi, Pnar, Garo, Karbi, Tiwa, Dimasa and Mising.
Don Bosco and Culture Gallery
DBCIC is dedicated to one of the greatest Educators and Friends of the Young, namely, Don Bosco. The Don Bosco group of Educators are present in all the five continents and in over 140 countries. Through Academic, Technical and Agricultural education as well as other activities, Don Bosco serves the cause of Culture in an eminent degree. The Gallery is a continent wise showcasing of the service to culture around the world rendered by the Don Bosco group of Educators.
Land and Housing Pattern Gallery
Housing Pattern reveals the socio-economic situation of peoples. The Gallery provides insight into this particular aspect and guides the visitor through the whole of North East India, including Sikkim. The mini landscape of the various States of the North East is also a mini tour of the entire region in few minutes. The visitor friendly doors are an added attraction.
Art Gallery
This is another special attraction in DBCIC. The very entrance to it is different from other Galleries. It displays all the seven States and Sikkim by means of their ancient artefacts and paintings. Well-designed and carefully arranged, this Art Gallery is a place wherein the visitor is given a taste of how creative the indigenous peoples are.
Media and Culture Gallery
Culture is something alive. It moves forward. It calls for modern means of presentation. The media and Culture Gallery situated in the topmost floor of DBCIC is a welcome place to relax, to watch a dance, enjoy a cultural celebration and see the life of someone or other who gave his/ her life for the promotion of the cultures of peoples. Echoless and sound proof, quite and free from any disturbance, the Media Gallery is where one can choose a dancer or a festival of one liking. The gallery has a seating capacity for groups of 150 persons at a time. Programmes that will create osmosis of cultures leading to a Culture of Peace, Harmony and Collaboration will be held in this Gallery.
Mission and Culture Gallery
The crown of dances and ornamental figures, the services Mission Work has been rendering in this region – services such as literacy, higher education – academic and technical – medical care, training of leaders, formation of service groups, printing, and publication are some of the very informative panels in this gallery. The Lum Sohpetbneng and the Balpakram stories, the replica of the first Catholic Church of Shillong are some of the attractions of this gallery. Those who choose to read the history of 20 centuries in a few hours will find this gallery particularly helpful.
Photo Gallery
This is a new addition to the cultural centre. It contains original black and white photos of excellent quality. Of the over 450 black and white photos only 120 are exhibited. They were taken from the different parts of Assam by Father Julius Costa, an Italian missionary. The 24 high quality colour photos representing all the states of the North East are from Ahmed Hussain.
Shillong View Point
The Shillong-View-Point right at the top of the Museum building gives a breath taking sight of the city. This is particularly beautiful at night.
“With promotion and development of indigenous cultures as its focus the DBCIC is a fascinating journey of the cultural panorama of the North East - educative and informative - the finest museum in the country which is an amazing potpourri for all to absorb and for the young to value their cultural heritage” remarked one of the visitors.
Situated in Mawlai, though not a much talked about place for a visit, DBCIC stands out to be a unique and wonderful museum which is a treasure place of cultural heritage providing an overview of the whole of North East India under one roof.
In terms of design the DBCIC is startling; built in a hexagonal shape, its seven floors represent the seven states of the region rising in Shillong’s skyline like a flame with a message that if culture are understood well, they can light up and brighten up efforts to build a peaceful, developed and progressive society.
With 56,000 square feet of floor space and 15,154 square feet of display wall space, this mammoth creation holds exotic collections, well maintained galleries with artefacts preserved by Air Dehumidifiers.
The initiative of setting up this masterpiece of culture has its roots in the love of Don Bosco for the peoples’ culture said DBCIC director Father Joseph Puthenpurakal narrating the idea that developed behind the construction of the home for the seven sisters. He said that the foundation stone of the museum was laid in July 1994, and by October 2000 the construction work was completed. He said that the setting up of the galleries and other interior works which had started by them were completed by the middle of 2004.
However, this museum which today paints a picture that it does not lack infrastructure is geared up to add more to its asset like computerization of the museum where one can relate with each item in it to know them better, Father Joseph said.
One has to take two hours time to see all the seventeen galleries displaying artefacts and paintings which some dignitaries in the state as well as visitors from Germany, France and others remark “This is an extraordinary cultural and educational museum. The concept of the building itself is creative and bears testimony the love for the people of North East India by the Don Bosco fathers and their religious associates.”
What to see in the galleries?
Introductory Gallery
With the help of four panels the visitors are given an overview of the whole of North East India. The flora and fauna panel is colourful and attractive.
Prehistory Gallery
The origin of the Universe and Man is shrouded in mystery. There have been efforts to unravel it. Creation and evolution are the two important answers. While the Creationists say that God is the author of the universe and of the origin of man, several evolutionists hold that the universe evolved gradually from simple to complex, from one cell amoeba to man. Today, many scholars are of the opinion that both Creation and Evolution are not contradictory in terms. Evolution requires a moving force, which the creationists would call the “Divine Intervention”. The Prehistory gallery tries to explain the history of Man’s gradual evolution as expounded by Physical Anthropologists.
Land and people’s Gallery
This gallery provides a beautiful overview of the places and peoples of the North East. 32 large size photographs in colour, 26 in black and white and 18 life size fibreglass figures and 60 busts adorn this exciting presentation.
Fishing and Hunting Gathering Gallery
The varieties of baskets used in fishing and the implements used in hunting and the types of containers used during harvesting are indeed astonishing. They give the visitor a glimpse into the creativity and genius of the people’s of the North East.
Agricultural Gallery
Three types of agricultural practices are shown in this Gallery by means of exceedingly beautiful dioramas. The dioramas depict wet cultivation, jhum (or slash and burn or shifting) cultivation, and terrace cultivation. A 255 year old mighty tree in the middle of this Gallery is a graphic demonstration that if slash and burn cultivation disappears from the area; North East could be dotted with huge trees like the one present here.
Traditional Technology Gallery
The peoples of the North East are industrious in their village surroundings. The dioramas showing pottery, wine making, basket making, black smith, gold smith, weaving, wood carving, leather works and cane making provide a quick tour of the North East with appropriate explanations.
Basketry Gallery
A wonderful diorama showcasing four different tribes (Assamese, Karbi, Khasi and Naga) engaged in the same occupation of basket making. The realistic village setup takes the visitor to the remotest corners of the North East. The innermost section displays articles which people use in their homes. A feeling that one has visited many houses in the North East accompanies the visitor as he/ she moves into the next Gallery.
Musical Instruments Gallery
Here the eyes can feast on traditional musical instruments. Once digitized with the help of touch screens, this excellent collection of musical instruments will mesmerize all visitors, especially music lovers.
Religion and Culture Gallery
Twelve large panels guide the visitors through the major religious beliefs and cultures of the world. One cannot rush through it if he/ she prefer to read everything written in this Gallery.
Weapons Gallery
Traditional weapons may not be in use now-a-days. But the Gallery preserves them to enter the past and to experience how people struggled to protect themselves and their dear ones.
Costume and Ornaments Gallery
This is another feast to the eyes. The display of traditional ornaments, shawls and colourful tribal costumes literally take the visitor to the remotest villages of the North East. The Gallery has life size fibreglass figures of men and women of several tribes in their traditional dress: Nishi, Tangsa, Nocte, Apatani, Adi, Mizo, Manipuri, Mao, Angami, Khasi, Pnar, Garo, Karbi, Tiwa, Dimasa and Mising.
Don Bosco and Culture Gallery
DBCIC is dedicated to one of the greatest Educators and Friends of the Young, namely, Don Bosco. The Don Bosco group of Educators are present in all the five continents and in over 140 countries. Through Academic, Technical and Agricultural education as well as other activities, Don Bosco serves the cause of Culture in an eminent degree. The Gallery is a continent wise showcasing of the service to culture around the world rendered by the Don Bosco group of Educators.
Land and Housing Pattern Gallery
Housing Pattern reveals the socio-economic situation of peoples. The Gallery provides insight into this particular aspect and guides the visitor through the whole of North East India, including Sikkim. The mini landscape of the various States of the North East is also a mini tour of the entire region in few minutes. The visitor friendly doors are an added attraction.
Art Gallery
This is another special attraction in DBCIC. The very entrance to it is different from other Galleries. It displays all the seven States and Sikkim by means of their ancient artefacts and paintings. Well-designed and carefully arranged, this Art Gallery is a place wherein the visitor is given a taste of how creative the indigenous peoples are.
Media and Culture Gallery
Culture is something alive. It moves forward. It calls for modern means of presentation. The media and Culture Gallery situated in the topmost floor of DBCIC is a welcome place to relax, to watch a dance, enjoy a cultural celebration and see the life of someone or other who gave his/ her life for the promotion of the cultures of peoples. Echoless and sound proof, quite and free from any disturbance, the Media Gallery is where one can choose a dancer or a festival of one liking. The gallery has a seating capacity for groups of 150 persons at a time. Programmes that will create osmosis of cultures leading to a Culture of Peace, Harmony and Collaboration will be held in this Gallery.
Mission and Culture Gallery
The crown of dances and ornamental figures, the services Mission Work has been rendering in this region – services such as literacy, higher education – academic and technical – medical care, training of leaders, formation of service groups, printing, and publication are some of the very informative panels in this gallery. The Lum Sohpetbneng and the Balpakram stories, the replica of the first Catholic Church of Shillong are some of the attractions of this gallery. Those who choose to read the history of 20 centuries in a few hours will find this gallery particularly helpful.
Photo Gallery
This is a new addition to the cultural centre. It contains original black and white photos of excellent quality. Of the over 450 black and white photos only 120 are exhibited. They were taken from the different parts of Assam by Father Julius Costa, an Italian missionary. The 24 high quality colour photos representing all the states of the North East are from Ahmed Hussain.
Shillong View Point
The Shillong-View-Point right at the top of the Museum building gives a breath taking sight of the city. This is particularly beautiful at night.
“With promotion and development of indigenous cultures as its focus the DBCIC is a fascinating journey of the cultural panorama of the North East - educative and informative - the finest museum in the country which is an amazing potpourri for all to absorb and for the young to value their cultural heritage” remarked one of the visitors.
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