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Even in terms of design the DBCIC is startling: built in hexagonal shape, its seven floors represent the seven states of North East India. The building rises to form a flame, expressing the reality that if cultures are understood well, they can form a communion of cultures for a better society. DBCIC contains seventeen galleries displaying cultural artefacts and paintings. It offers study and research facilities throughout its specialised library of 10,000 volumes, a media hall and a conference hall. It is frequented by school students and older research students and anthropologists, since this area of India is an anthropologist's paradise. Collection
Prehistory Gallery - The origin of the Universe and the Man is shrouded in mystery. There have been efforts to unravel it. Creation and evolution are the two important answers. While the Creationists say that God is the author of the universe and of the origin of man, several evolutionists hold that the universe evolved gradually from simple to complex, from one cell amoeba to Man. Today, many scholars are of the opinion that both Creation and Evolution are not contradictory in terms. Evolution requires a moving force, which the creationists would call the “Divine Intervention”. The Prehistory gallery tries to explain the history of Man’s gradual evolution as expounded by Physical Anthropologists
Fishing Hunting & Gathering Gallery - The varieties of baskets used in fishing and the implements used in hunting and the types of containers used during harvesting are indeed astonishing. They give the visitor a glimpse into the creativity and genius of the people’s of the North East. Agricultural Gallery - Three types of agricultural practices are shown in this Gallery by means of exceedingly beautiful dioramas. The dioramas depict wet cultivation, jhum (or slash and burn or shifting) cultivation, and terrace cultivation. A 255 year old mighty tree in the middle of this Gallery is a graphic demonstration that if slash and burn cultivation disappears from the area, North East could be dotted with huge trees like the one present here. Traditional Technology Gallery - The peoples of the North East are industrious in their village surroundings. The dioramas showing pottery, wine making, basket making, black smithy, gold smithy, weaving, wood carving, leather works and came making provide a quick tour of the North East with appropriate explanations. Basketry Gallery - A wonderful diorama showcasing four different tribes (Assamese, Karbi, Khasi and Naga) engaged in the same occupation of basket making. The realistic village setup takes the visitor to the remotest corners of the North East. The innermost section displays articles which people use in their homes. A feeling that one has visited many houses in the North East accompanies the visitor as he/ she moves into the next Gallery Musical Instruments Gallery - Here the eyes can feast on traditional musical instruments. Once digitized with the help of touch screens, this excellent collection of musical instruments will mesmerize all visitors, especially music lovers. Religion & Culture Gallery - Twelve large panels guide the visitors through the major religious beliefs and cultures of the world. One cannot rush through it if he/ she prefers to read everything written in this Gallery Weapons Gallery - Weapons too are part of culture. Traditional weapons may not be used no-a-days. But the Gallery preserves them to enter the past and to experience how people struggled to protect themselves and their dear ones. Costume & Ornaments Gallery - This is another feast to the eyes. The display of traditional ornaments, shawls and colourful tribal costumes literally take the visitor to the remotest villages of the North East. The Gallery has life size fiberglass figures of men and women of several tribes in their tribes in their traditional dress: Nishi, Tangsa, Nocte, Apatani, Adi, Mizo, Manipuri, Mao, Angami, Khasi, Pnar, Garo, Karbi, Tiwa, Dimasa and Mising. They are there as if to invite the visitors to their respective villages. Don Bosco & Culture Gallery - DBCIC is dedicated to one of the greatest Educators and Friends of the Young, namely, Don Bosco. The Don Bosco group of Educators are present in all the five continents and in over 140 countries. Through Academic, Technical and Agricultural education as well as other activities, Don Bosco serves the cause of Culture in an eminent degree. The Gallery is a continent wise showcasing of the service to culture around the world rendered by the Don Bosco group of Educators. Land & Housing Pattern Gallery - Housing Pattern reveals the socio-economic situation of peoples. The Gallery provides insight into this particular aspect and guides the visitor through the whole of North East India, including Sikkim. The mini landscape of the various States of the North East is also a mini tour of the entire region in few minutes. The visitor friendly doors are an added attraction. Art Gallery - This is another special attraction in DBCIC. The very entrance to it is different from other Galleries. It displays all the seven States and Sikkim by means of their ancient artifacts and paintings. Well-designed and carefully arranged, this Art Gallery is a place wherein the visitor is given a taste of how creative the indigenous peoples are. Media & Culture Gallery - Culture is something alive. It moves forward. It calls for modern means of presentation. The media and Culture Gallery situated in the topmost floor of DBCIC is a welcome place to relax, to watch a dance, enjoy a cultural celebration and see the life of someone or other who gave his/ her life for the promotion of the cultures of peoples. Echoless and sound proof, quite and free from any disturbance, the Media Gallery is where one can choose a dancer or a festival of one’s liking. The gallery has a seating capacity for groups of 150 persons at a time. Programmes that will create an osmosis of cultures leading to a Culture of Peace, Harmony and Collaboration will be held in this Gallery. Mission & Culture Gallery - The crown of dances and ornamental figures, the services Mission Work has been rendering in this region – services such as literacy, higher education – both academic and technical – medical care, training of leaders, formation of service groups, printing, publication are some of the very informative panels in this gallery. The Lum Sohpethneng and the Balpakram storeys, the replica of the first Catholic Church of Shillong are some of the attractions of this gallery. Those who choose to read the history of 20 centuries in a few hours will find theis gallery particularly helpful. Shillong View Point - The Shillong-View-Point right at the top of the Museum building gives a breath taking sight of Shillong. This is particularly beautiful at night. DBCIC is Adding Something More to Religion & Culture Gallery We are grateful for your suggestions. We welcome contributions for the support of :
All contributions
will be gratefully acknowledged.
DON
BOSCO CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS CULTURES Fax :+ 91 - 364 - 2550 261
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With
seven stories, 56,000 square feet of floor space and 15,154 square
feet of display wall space, it ranks among the top 36 or so cultural
centres of its kind in the Salesian world. Museums/ Cultural Centres
in practice appear to be a significant aspect of the Salesian
mission.
Introductory
Gallery - 
Land
& People Gallery - 