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A guided visit to the exhibition on catholic 19th century missionary cartography

Missie à la carte - missionarissen en cartographie
A guided visit to the exhibition on catholic 19th century missionary cartography


Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
Organisation: Mercatormuseum
A short while ago, a very interesting exhibition was opened at the Mercatormuseum in Sint-Niklaas (Belgium), entitled Missie à la carte (Missionaries and cartography). It mainly focuses on the Belgian 19th/early 20th century maps of missions in Congo (Zaïre). However, there are also 17th century maps, and pieces concerning other parts of Africa (Zambezi, Madagascar and Transvaal), America (such as Oregon) and Asia (the Holy Land and Western Bengal). There is even a map of a catholic mission in … Scandinavia! In total some 55 maps are on display.
This exhibition was set up by Prof. Dirk Overmeire (KU Leuven, Belgium). The most important contributor is KADOC (the documentation and research center of the KU Leuven, Belgium), followed by the Royal Museum for Central Africa of Tervuren and many others. Even our sponsor Barry Ruderman allowed the curator to show a print of a map from his collection.
Within the context of colonialism (which is never far away), competing religious orders each set up their own social, economic and religious network. Internal fights took place. Most often these orders knew the overseas environment much better than their own colonial powers. And yes, they made so many maps: local, regional and nation wide.
This is a unique exhibition: this is cartography from a very different angle!
Most maps in the exhibition are of large size, which makes walking around quite pleasant. The reception sells a nice catalogue (unfortunately only in Dutch, 92 pages, each map is individually pictured and presented). For EUR 8.00, this is a real bargain. Moreover, each map bears its own unique story, which is clearly explained.
Of course, this makes a very nice complement to our Africa day - Mapping Africa - on 7 December 2019 in Tervuren. So, we invite all our Members to a guided visit with the curator on Sunday 3 November 2019 at 14.30 at the reception desk of the Mercator Museum. No need to register, just show up. Entrance fee EUR 6.00, drink in the in situ café afterwards included!
About the exhibition see here.
Venue: Mercator Museum, Zamanstraat 49, Sint-Niklaas
Time schedule: 14.30
Entry fee: EUR 6.00