Exhibition " Giant reed artifacts: Cages and trapdoors" - Project "Access to Reserve Collections". In order to provide a greater rotation of collections, which are not permanently exposed to the public, the museum created the project "Access to Reserve Collections” under a new theme being presented quarterly or semi-annually in the institution's lobby. This exhibition brings to public the collection of cages and traps, made of giant reed, which are part of the collection. The objective is to disclose the "know-how" associated with this traditional activity, precious testimonies of our immaterial heritage, collected during field work, for inventory and so as to contextualize the pieces of the collection. Ultimately, the intention is to disclose these traditional craft activities, which relate to our identity, but are at risk of extinction, therefore the need for their preservation.
The giant reed, giant cane or arundo (Arundo donax), a plant which is found throughout the archipelago, grows both on land next to the sea and in the mountains. This raw material was used in the past in the production of numerous artefacts, namely basketry, toys, musical instruments and other utilities, such as the traditional bird cages and traps (hatches or trapdoors) shown in this exhibition. The production of the artefacts presented in this exhibition has a long tradition in our Region.
In the past, after being made by craftsmen, the cages were transported with birds to the fairs and markets where they were sold. Due to the technological evolution, they lost much of their utilitarian value, which almost led to the extinction of this artisanal activity. Currently, we only know one artisan who makes and markets them in the municipality of Ribeira Brava and they are mainly sought for decorative purposes.
Technical sheet: Coordination: Lídia Góes Ferreira Text: Fernando Líbano, Lídia Góes Ferreira Translation: Cátia Santos Photography: Florêncio Pereira Design and Printing: Márcio Ribeiro Editing: António Pascal, César Ferreira, Fernando Líbano, Florêncio Pereira
The Collections of the Madeira Ethnographic Museum
Credits: Madeira Ethnographic Museum
