Wow!

I am tempted towards saying you should record the sacred stuff as audio on CD's (those should be easier to "bless") and only put a reference to the CD in your database - or of course the same thing could be done with a handwritten document.  I assume that while you could use
non-native terminology for your database, you want to preserve that information that is expressible only in your own language associated with the object, and so need a way to capture it in your system.  Interesting challenge!

Good luck!
Tim

David Bingell wrote:

> I'm developing the database (via PastPerfect) for a
> tribe (no details, please).  We are beginning to
> receive NAGPRA related items and have many items in
> our collections that simply shouldn't be viewed by the
> general public.  We are arranging a tribal members
> only storage facility for these items.  Well, to make
> a long story short, as the collections manager, I need
> to accurately account for the physical location and
> condition of these objects -- but to use some of the
> words associated with these objects is a bit
> counter-intuitive to me.  The words are considered
> sacred, and to speak them or use them out of context
> would be inappropriate.  Do we sanctify our computers,
> or what?  Any help and/or suggestions would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
> David

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