By Denise Nicolau, Loubna Hamidi and Zoe Jafflin — 14 September 2025
On Moheli, the smallest island of the Comoros, lies a hidden treasure: the Moheli Museum. Co-managed with the Ministry of Culture and History, it is not just a museum—it is a living archive of culture, history, and biodiversity.
Inside its modest walls, you find endemic shells, mangroves, and rare birds found nowhere else on Earth. Stones and minerals, many still unstudied, hold stories waiting to be told. Every piece reflects Moheli’s identity and its deep connection with nature.
A team driven by commitment
At the heart of this effort is Haddad, a geographer and historian who began working with oceanographic studies in 2020 and expanded into biodiversity and minerals in 2024. Without formal training in museum sciences, he has built this project out of pure commitment.
Alongside him are two remarkable women—Hichma and Raissa—who, with their backgrounds in administration, education, and finance, bring strength and dedication to the cause. Together, they are a small but determined team who believe Moheli’s heritage deserves to be celebrated and safeguarded.
Education at the heart of the mission
Already, more than 300 students from local schools have walked through the museum, guided by their teachers. For many, it’s the first time they truly see their island’s history and biodiversity reflected to them. Universities also come to learn, making the museum a hub for education and pride.
When we visited, what struck me most was not just the knowledge preserved in glass displays, but the generosity and symbolism behind it. We were gifted a necklace made of seeds and stones from Moheli itself—a gesture so deeply rooted in identity, culture, and belonging. I carried it with a sense of gratitude and responsibility, a reminder that heritage is not only to be admired but to be protected.
Challenges and aspirations
Yet, the challenges remain. The Museum currently operates from a borrowed room in the Tourism Department. It dreams of having its own dedicated building, equipped for mineral and biodiversity research. The team longs to connect with sister institutions in East Africa—especially Mozambique, Tanzania, and South Africa—to exchange knowledge and strengthen their work.
A call for partnership
This is more than a local story. It is about valuing small islands and their global importance. Supporting the Moheli Museum means investing in biodiversity, in culture, in education, and in the people who keep their island’s legacy alive against the odds.
If you are a partner, university, museum, donor, or individual passionate about conservation and heritage, this is an open call. Let’s walk alongside Moheli and give this vision the wings it deserves.
Because when we value Moheli,
we value the planet!
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