Exploring liquid heritages: A talk by Sara Ahmed on the Living Waters Museum

In his introductory words to the lecture, IHE Delft Rector Eddy Moors, who is also chair of the Global Network of Water Museums (WAMU-NET) described Ahmed as someone who is determined, unconventional and always looking at new possibilities. “In this polarized and tumultuous world, we can connect across waters,” he said.

One of the Living Waters Museum’s projects is a series of “pot stories” in India that showcase water-carrying utensils that date back over a century. Students participating in this project recognized the artefacts from their grandparents' homes, sparking conversations about gender roles and water access. This discussion highlighted how women are often responsible for collecting water, while men enjoy greater mobility.

The museum's collaborative approach brings together students, schools, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, artists, storytellers and multimedia experts. One student working with the museum looked at how to gamify the concept of the water footprint in food, while another created a storyboard for a video game about a girl navigating a dried-up underground aquifer in search of water. Both engage new audiences in creative ways and highlight the consequences of modern-day wasteful water overuse.

During the pandemic, the link between urban water history and public health messages on handwashing became a focal point for the virtual museum. Their online exhibition “Confluence” in Mumbai invited architects, artists, researchers, and students to explore the city’s water infrastructure. Mumbai’s public fountains, many built during British colonial rule, are still imbued with historical significance, particularly for marginalized communities like the Dalits, who face discrimination in water access in India’s caste system. Also highlighted is the role of traditional Bhisti water carriers during the colonial era, who were tasked with giving water to British soldiers.

Artist Parag Tandel, from Mumbai’s indigenous Koli fishing community, created a cookbook featuring handwritten recipes for Bombay duck, a local dried fish. These beautifully illustrated recipes became part of a physical exhibition.

Through its inclusive, decolonized approach, the Living Waters Museum addresses complex issues such as gender, discrimination and equitable access to water. By bridging different disciplines, it fosters a global dialogue on the importance of water, connecting communities and cultures across the world.