MultakaOxford

‘Multaka’ translates from Arabic to English as ‘meeting point’. MultakaOxford uses museums and collections as a meeting point for people to share experience, knowledge and skills. We work in a three-way partnership of staff, volunteers and local community to create a platform for cultural dialogue. Delivered by Pitt Rivers Museum and History of Science Museum in Oxford.      

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Thanks to today’s generous 1m gift from Alwaleed Philanthropies the Multaka-Oxford project can continue its innovative work for another 5 years. Multaka-Oxford, a History of Science Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum initiative, brings the experience of people settling into Oxford (many through forced migration) to the museums, where they gain skills and experience.  These include volunteers like Hussein Kara Ahmed (pictured) who have brought their experience, insight and expertise to the museums.

The project has been supported by partners from across Oxford and beyond including Asylum Welcome, Refugee Resource, Syrian Sisters, Connection Support, Oxford City Council, Aspire Oxford and Sanctuary Hosting. 

You can find out more about the project at: www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/multaka-oxford or at www.prm.ox.ac.uk/multaka-oxford-0   

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A pretty Handbag made by Jenan one of our Multaka volunteers for the Oxford's Christmas Light Festival 👝✨ #museumsathome #museumsfromhome #multaka #oxford #multakaoxford #oxlightfest20 #bag #handbag #mousel https://www.instagram.com/p/CIDzC5CsKsc/?igshid=evru9v1m9mfe

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𝗔 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ✨👏🏽 Join the Multaka team for a jam-packed hour of fun family craft and activities, plus an opportunity to learn more about what might be the oldest handbag in the world! Register for the event 👇🏼 https://www.oxlightfest.com/the-mosul-handbag #multakaoxford #handbag #Volunteers #iraq #culturalheritage #oxford #multaka #museum #ChristmasIsComing #oxlightfest20 #event https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQMF99sSUV/?igshid=12a6ndr8si5z2

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From our visit to @britishmuseum with our volunteers! @hsmoxford @pittriversmuseum #multaka #multakaoxford #britishmuseum #oxford #trip #islamicmetalwork #volunteers https://www.instagram.com/p/CHK6qlgMi6e/?igshid=za9lgsdazgoa

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Our event planner Niran!💫 #multaka #multakaoxfordproject #oxforduniversity #oxfors #volunteer #museum https://www.instagram.com/p/CHFlsgBsbll/?igshid=1strx7k3rgcsp

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Our volunteer Jenan shared with us her experience with Multaka and her motivations!👏🏽🌟 #multaka #multakaoxford #oxford #museum #volunteer https://www.instagram.com/p/CHFku4ajPG2/?igshid=8t2rww45nhrs

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A portrait of a Bedouin women wearing a face veil taken by Jenny in 1989. @jennyindigo @pittriversmuseum #multakaoxford #museumlover https://www.instagram.com/p/CG-D1UwMHSY/?igshid=2aba32qjj905

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This is a face veil ornamented with coins from El Arish, Sinai, #Egypt is part of the "Textiles from the Arab World" collection @pittriversmuseum donated by @jennyindigo. #multakaoxford https://www.instagram.com/p/CG-DpGJMkL5/?igshid=54gk9dr0k23z

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silver earrings from #Yemen are part of the "Textiles from the Arab World" collection. Donated by @jennyindigo https://www.instagram.com/p/CG-DCK4shYv/?igshid=s4x22stovld6

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Our volunteer Dhamyaa Abbas, talking about her experience with Multaka Oxford! 👏🏽✨ (at Oxford, Oxfordshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG48LYVjNlA/?igshid=iloi4zg8lsh0

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Coat From Aleppo

This coat made from silk ikat fabric is from #Syria #Aleppo

and is part of the "Textiles from the Arab World" collection Pitt Rivers Museum donated by Jenny Balfour-Paul

This type of clothing would be very expensive and worn for special occasions.

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Gargush

This is a cap for women is called Gargush, its from #Yemen and is part of the "Textiles from the Arab World" collection Pitt Rivers Museum donated by Jenny Balfour-Paul.

It's decorated with silk and intricate metallic thread embroidery.

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Finger Woven Belt

This is a finger woven belt is from

#Egypt #Siwa and is part of the "Textiles from the Arab World" collection Pitt Rivers Museum donated by Jenny Balfour-Paul.

It's decorated with tassels, cowrie shell and mother-of-pearl buttons.

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SIWA

This is a bridal dress called asherah hawak azdhaf . It's from #Egypt #Siwa and is part of the "Textiles from the Arab World" collection @Pitt Rivers Museum donated by Jenny Balfour-Paul.

It's decorated with embroidery, cowrie shell and mother-of-pearl buttons.

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This Basket from Sudan Darfur is part of  the "Textiles from the Arab World' Collection @pitt_rivers donated by @JennyIndigo, it also featured in this exhibition @BasketryBeyond

Read more⏬

basketryandbeyond.org.uk/bare-stems-exh…. @TORCHOxford @MultakaO @Pitt_Rivers @HSMOxford @museumsoutreach

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MBIRA

Multaka Volunteer Thabo took in a display intervention as part of #LabellingMatters Project. He speaks about the historical, cultural and spiritual relevance of Mbira in the Lamellaphone case.

Watch the full video ⏬

prm.ox.ac.uk/mbira

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𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐭

This intricately woven belt from Southern #Morocco is made from wool and dyed with natural dyes. It is part of the "Textiles from the Arab World Collection" donated to the@Pitt_Rivers Museum by @jennyindigo1 Jenny Balfour-Paul Multaka Oxford Pitt Rivers Museum