Memory is as central to modern politics as politics is central to modern memory. We are so accustomed to living in a forest of monuments, to having the past represented to us through museums, historic sites, and public sculpture, that we easily lose sight of the recent origins and diverse meanings of these uniquely modern phenomena. In this volume, leading historians, anthropologists, and ethnographers explore the relationship between collective memory and national identity in diverse cultures throughout history. Placing commemorations in their historical settings, the contributors disclose the contested nature of these monuments by showing how groups and individuals struggle to shape the past to their own ends.
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/5299.html
Original Title
The Museum and the Politics of Social Control in Modern Iraq - Eric Davis
Memory is as central to modern politics as politics is central to modern memory. We are so accustomed to living in a forest of monuments, to having the past represented to us through museums, historic sites, and public sculpture, that we easily lose sight of the recent origins and diverse meanings of these uniquely modern phenomena. In this volume, leading historians, anthropologists, and ethnographers explore the relationship between collective memory and national identity in diverse cultures throughout history. Placing commemorations in their historical settings, the contributors disclose the contested nature of these monuments by showing how groups and individuals struggle to shape the past to their own ends.
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/5299.html
Memory is as central to modern politics as politics is central to modern memory. We are so accustomed to living in a forest of monuments, to having the past represented to us through museums, historic sites, and public sculpture, that we easily lose sight of the recent origins and diverse meanings of these uniquely modern phenomena. In this volume, leading historians, anthropologists, and ethnographers explore the relationship between collective memory and national identity in diverse cultures throughout history. Placing commemorations in their historical settings, the contributors disclose the contested nature of these monuments by showing how groups and individuals struggle to shape the past to their own ends.
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/5299.html
Commemorations
THE POLITICS OF
NATIONAL IDENTITY
Edited by
John R. Gillis
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEYeS SS ae
Chapter V
THE MUSEUM AND THE POLITICS
OF SOCIAL CONTROL IN
MODERN IRAQ
Exic Davis
Whar 1s the relationship between the museum and the state? More pre-
18
5. See, for example, Directorate of Antiquities, is harba (Baghdad: Matba’at
alcFiukuma, 1538)
6, Directorate General of Propaganda, Kingdon of Iraq (Baltimore: Lord Bal
timore Press, nap. 79
7. For elements of this debate se Erie Davis and Nicolas Gavrcldes, “State
craft, Historical Memory and Popular Culture in Iraq and Kuwar,” m Statecrattn
the Middle East: Oi, Historical Mepnory and Popular Culture, . Davis and N.
Gavricides (Miami Florida Ineernatonal University Press, 1991) esp. pp. 123
128 and 132—140
8. Abu al-Khaldun Sat? abHusori, mdbaborat iraq, 1921-1940 (My
ej) memoirs, 19211941] (Beirut: Dar al-Tab’a, 19674 vol. 1, 1921-1927,
Rvs.
9, For an extensive discussion of British colonial poliey in lag, see Dani Ser
far, Britamn’s Informal Empire m the Middle East A Case Sty of Iraq, 1929
1841 (New York and Oxlord: Oxford University Presy 1986).
10. On her activities in Tag, see Sarah Grahom-Brown'sinteoduction to Bes
“The Desert andthe Sewn {Boston: Besean Press, 1987) pp. xi-avits and HVE
Winstone, Gertrude Bell London: Quartet Books, 1980), Bell's influeneeo0 car
British polcyin faqs underlined by her unos ite as the wncrowned queen of
frag” (Graham-Browa, px
11 al Hari mda karat fel inay. ol. 1p 180.
12: Ibid. p18
13, Abu a-Khaldun Sai al-Husaci mudbubkarati, tag, 1921—1941 My
rag memoies, 1921-1944) (Beirut: Dar ab Tal'a, 1968), vol 2, 19271941,
poy
14, On the concept of the “historical blog,” see Antonio Cras, Seletions
from the Prison Notebooks Landon: Lawrence &: Wishart, 1971), pp. 157=158,
a8.
15. Thisclerment was stressed in ll ficial publications shat described he roa
family Sec Kingdom of freq, pp. 3,3.
15. See Muhsin Join al-Musawi, “The Sasiopoliical Context of the fraqi
Short Story, 1908-1968." in Davis and Gavriel, Statecraft the Middle East.
pp. 214-217.
17. Kanon
ferred to asa"
of rg. pp. 78=79. Ae its founding, them
Hlery of fine ar.”
cum was singly e
SMUSHUAL AND SOCIAL CONTROL IN IRAQ
IS, Ministry of Caltuce onl Arts, Culture and Ants i Brags Celebrating the
Tenth Anniversary of the July 17-30 Revolution (Baghdad, 1978). p. 253 Adi
Kamilcalshanata al-tashbilir alm asina fl iraq Marga al-rancsid| Thecon
temporary art movement in fag The "pidemer™ permod} (Baghdad: Ministre of
Calture and Information, Dar al-Rashid ldeNashe, 3980 pp. 318, See also
Shawskac ab Ral achat wa afar (Paintings and ideas) (Baghdad: Ministry of
Inlormation, Daral-Hurnya lik Tibs’ 9, 1976)sand ‘Abdallah ai-Khati, afer,
abtasblaliya wastahawna (The plastic ats apd revolution) (Baghdad: Ministey of
Information, Dar al-Hurrigsbil-Tiba'a, 1976,
15, Ministry of Guidance, High Commitae forthe Celebration of the Juby 1
Resolution, The Iraqi Revolution a Its Fou Year Waghalad: Times Press, 1962),
20, Ibid. pp- 630-631
21 Ibid 7.633.
22, Theimipact ofthe Iragi bor movement on politcal and eulural represents
tion in frag is discussed in my "History for the Many or History tor the Few The
Historiography of the fraqi Working Class." in Wevkersand Workong Classes the
Muddle Last: Struggles, Histories and Historiograpines, ed. Zachary Lockman
{Albans State University of New York Press fortheoming)
2itor photagraphy of the vuathaf abdich (he Party Mus
al-masiratamnasat newdata nti midal hich alba’ thal arab alsshtra Images of
the Songele ofthe Anab Ba'ath Soctatst Party Baghdad: n.d.) pp. 86-87, 91,92
93-94, This volume eantains parallel Arabi, English. and French ext
"74. The group of military aficers and civilians that ovecthrew the cegme of ‘Abd
al Rahaman Avit in fly 1968 was in turn beset by aternal strugeles shortly after
Coming ope tse al 17 ad 30, as Hasarnand he eupprtreete
sono 3s Ea Bat on ous hee ts selene 3 palee
cou The Ol Soeul Clases and he Remtonary Movements of ag [Pace
Sn NE Panecton Users Pros 1973) 1073: Dest th Haran csoe
tu of eshte acl devon hs tower pod conti ce he
“Reon of fuiy 17-30, 1968
tr ad Ars ag pp 7 91-93,
2 Dnt pnt cea lhe Soci Context ofthe ag Shee
sean aie
22. Omisneton, se Frc Hesham and Tene Ranged Te nent
of rato (Cabrsage: Cambie Unies Pros 1983)
senna ashe [Te outal of ppl here, rig
abba sarap ash rye feta Seva saprene® pepulae isin
Sere product nitag apa: Da alr eNashe 1984, PP
33th
Sith
Before Bos tons wwe ant fe
Buin rag During te lary War a the Calf Crs
tual af Commnal Sie se Manas Nilay enon and New Yor
Renee, 1992) cp pp. 7172.
18a or tani Tari ak Nai alrinade bude wal abide
\spows nthe ih atsent Mesopamtn Baghdad: Dar saan IIb 3
see my *State-
in The uterna-104 ERIC DAVIS
1983); and Subhi Anwar Rashid, al-masiga frag al-gadim (Music in ancient
Iraq) (Baghdad: Ministry of Cultare and Information, Dar al-Shu’un al-Thagafiys
al’ Amma, 1988). Textstich as these resonate far more with theliterate public than
more didactic writings sch as thase by the prominent historian Anmad al‘Susa,
cg bidanat als arab 2 marabal tatawwourda ‘abaralwsur (Arab culture and the
Stages of its development chrough the ages] (Baghdad: Ministry of Culture and
Intormation, Dar al-Hurnya lie Tibs’3, 1979): bidarat wadi al-rafiéay bayye
al-samiyin tea-Fsumariin (Mesopotamian culture between the Semites and the
Sommerer] (Baghdad: Ministry of Culture and Information, Dar al-Rashid I
ENashr, 1980}: and tovikb hidarot oad al-afidayn fi dae” masbard al-rayy at
irainye walmktashafat alathariva wa-b-masadir al-tarikhiya [The history of
‘Mesopotamian civilization in ight of agvicultaral irrigation projects, archacologi-
‘al discoveries and historical sources| (Baghdad: Dar al-Hurriya lil-Tiba'a, 1983),
Nol. 1. Susa’s works attempt to demonstrate the racial ties between the ancient
Sumerians and the Arabs of modern Ira,
33. al-turath a-sha'bi, mullag kbass, pp. 9-10, 12.
134, Culture and Arts i lag, pp. 162-164.
35, fora detailed analysis ofthe meaning othe Vietory Arch for Iraqi politics
nd cultural development, see Samir al-Khalil, The Monuaeent: Art Valgarity and
Responsibility im Inaq Berkeley and Los Angeles: University nf California Press,
1991),