PHOTO: © Mangaaka-Kraftfigur © Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss / Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst und Ethnologisches Museum / Fotos: Philipp Jester | Jens Blank

Exhibition

Ethnologische Sammlungen und Asiatische Kunst

Name: Ethnologische Sammlungen und Asiatische Kunst
Start: 2026-12-04T10:30+0100
End: 2026-12-04T18:30+0100
Location: Humboldt Forum

In the organizer's words:

With around 20,000 exhibits on 16,000 square meters , the collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art of the National Museums in Berlin in the Humboldt Forum, directly opposite the Museum Island, as well as six temporary exhibitions provide a diverse view of past and present cultures of Africa, America, Asia and Oceania.

The presentation, which was developed in many areas in collaboration with communities from the various regions of the world, raises pressing questions about the origin of the objects, the conditions under which they were collected and the effects of colonialism up to the present day.

Africa Wooden figures and masks from Cameroon, ivory objects and traditional clothing from Namibia are among the best-known historical works from Africa in Berlin. Many objects left the African continent as a result of colonial rule. The presentation therefore raises pressing questions: about the societies from which the objects originate, about the conditions under which they were collected, about the confrontation with the history of colonialism and its effects up to the present day. Further information

Oceania In the vastness of the Pacific, the islands of Oceania appear small and isolated. For the local population, however, the sea has never been a divider, but a connected habitat. For many, it is still part of their identity today. The boats in the Humboldt Forum bear witness to their outstanding navigational and construction skills. Further information

Asia Experience the art of the Khmer, Chinese court art, Buddhist cave temples, religious rituals around the gods of India, ceramic traditions of Korea, Indian miniature paintings, Asian shadow play, the global diversity of Islam or a tea meeting in the tea house specially designed for the Humboldt Forum. Further information

The Americas Discover the Mesoamerican ball game, the gold man "Kazike" of the pre-Columbian Quimbaya, an artistically painted Mayan cocoa vessel or the monumental Cotzumalhuapa stelae from present-day Guatemala. Further information

Temporary exhibitions Five further temporary exhibitions are opening in the Humboldt Forum. These were developed by the Humboldt Forum Foundation and the museums together with communities from many regions of the world and are the result of years of collaboration. They combine different areas of knowledge and experience and contribute to the forum character of the Humboldt Forum. Each exhibition has its own visual appeal and narrative. Objects from the North American Omaha and Haida are made tangible as a link between past and present. The exhibition on objects from Tanzania deals with the origin of these objects. Questions are raised about restitution and how sensitive objects are handled in museums today. The exhibition on the Indian Naga provides an insight into the minorities fighting for cultural self-determination or political autonomy worldwide. An exhibition spanning regions and eras shows sculptures from Africa, Asia and Europe that were attributed superhuman powers and helped to overcome personal or collective crises. All exhibitions provide insights into different societies and their cultural practices. Further information

Schaumagazine With a large number of objects, the Schaumagazine illustrates over a hundred years of collection history: find out how and why objects were acquired, which ideas about societies came to light and how the works were reinterpreted as cultural objects, art and historical testimonies. Further information

Sounds of the world Why and when do people make music? What actually is music and how is it learned and taught? "Sounds of the World" gets to the bottom of the universal language of mankind - with three-dimensional sound installations in the listening room, phonogram archive and instruments from all over the world. Further information

Family areas Hands-on stations, a custom-built boat to climb on and explore in the Oceania section, media stations specially designed for children and young people on everyday racism or computer games on colonial history in the Africa section: the family areas give young visitors their own access to the objects and their stories. Further information

regular 14 EUR / from 13.7.2026: 9 EUR. Please book your ticket online or at the ticket counter in the foyer
Languages: German, English
Wheelchair accessible
Africa, 2nd floor, Asia, 3rd floor, Oceania, 2nd floor

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Location

Humboldt Forum Schloßplatz 10178 Berlin

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12.

Juni

10:30

Berlin

Humboldt Forum

4,50 to 9,00 €

Ethnologische Sammlungen und Asiatische Kunst

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