Bookshop owner launches museum of African books to preserve literary heritage

Nuria Bookshop proprietor Abdullahi Bulle at the store [Courtesy]

Book lovers can now explore new titles and cherished old books at Nuria Bookshop.

Its owner, Abdullahi Bulle, has dedicated part of his space to the Museum of African Books, an initiative to safeguard the continent's literary and cultural treasures.

With the museum presently housed at the bookshop, it is a blend of exhibition and business.

The books for the museum collection are framed and displayed, while their copies are also preserved outside the frame.

They will be preserving works by African authors or about Africa that are political, medicinal, cultural, and historical.

"Just as we had the privilege to access certain books, we want to provide the same opportunity for others. We want something that will outlive us," says Abdullahi.

Currently, they have preserved The Flame of Freedom by Raila Odinga and Sarah Elderkin and Moi Cabinets - Drama, Intrigues, Triumphs, Vol. 1 by The Kenya Yearbook.

Aware that a good number of African titles can go out of print, he is determined to fill the gaps in African literary preservation by hunting for the disappeared books.

"When a book is rare or difficult to find, I will do my best to gain access. Someone has to protect our history and culture. We will even preserve banned books, because truth shouldn't be hidden," he vows.

Abdullahi is also framing more copies of one book for sale so that he can raise funds to eventually build a proper physical museum.

"We will place some of the books in glass cases. For now, framing is our practical approach until we have funding for a museum that will also be a library," he says.

He plans to consult experts on how to maintain these fragile texts.

Balancing the bookshop's commercial side with his role as a cultural archivist will be formalised through the Nuria Foundation, which he is creating to manage the museum independently.

"People with old books, photos, audiobooks, videos, or materials on culture and history can reach out to us. The museum will serve students, researchers, and anyone passionate about preserving African literature and heritage," he says.