Today we’re celebrating a series of "firsts" at our Cultural Institute - our first Nigerian partner, our first Pakistani partner, and our first Native American partner.

Nigeria's Pan-Atlantic University is presenting its collection of rare historical documents and photographs that tell the story of Nigeria’s formation as a colony. A second exhibition documents through rare photographs Lagos's transformation from a cosmopolitan colonial trading center to West Africa’s largest metropolis.

Colonial Lagos

Modern Lagos

Our first partner from Pakistan is the Citizen’s Archive. Its exhibit documents the emergence of new media after the country’s independence in 1948. During this period, traditional art forms were revived on radio and television, with series that addressed issues such as the role of women.

Pakistani TV medical drama from the 1980s

Mashantucket Pequot Museum's collection encompasses 20,000 years of Native American history. Its eye-opening exhibition on Neetôpáwees (pronounced nee-top-a-wees) means “Little Friends” in the Mohegan-Pequot language.

In the exhibition, we discover dolls from the past 125 years, and their myriad uses: as medicine dolls, possessing healing and protective powers, important tokens of exchange and respect between Northeastern Native American tribes, and interactive, educational toys. The dolls’ stories and meanings are as varied as their origins, design, and materials.

Two Indian dolls on exhibit

Posted by Lauren Nemroff, Program Manager, Google Cultural Institute