Ethnologisches Museum und Museum für Asiatische Kunst

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, as well as six temporary exhibitions, provide a diverse view of past and present cultures of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. The new presentation, which in many areas was developed 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 originated, about the conditions under which they were collected, and about how the history of colonialism and its effects have been addressed up to the present day. Further information. Oceania In the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the islands of Oceania appear small and isolated. For the local population, however, the sea has never been divisive, but a connected habitat. To this day, it is part of their identity for many. The boats in the Humboldt Forum bear witness to their outstanding navigation and construction skills. Further information. Asia Experience Khmer art, Chinese court art, Buddhist cave temples, religious rituals surrounding the gods of India, ceramic traditions of Korea, Indian miniature paintings, Asian shadow puppetry, the global diversity of Islam, or a tea gathering in the tea house designed especially for the Humboldt Forum. More information. The Americas Discover the Mesoamerican ball game, the gold "Kazike" of the pre-Columbian Quimbaya, an intricately painted Mayan cacao vessel, or the monumental Cotzumalhuapa stelae from present-day Guatemala. Further information. Temporary Exhibitions Five additional temporary exhibitions are opening at 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 results of years of collaboration. They link different fields 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 explores the origins of these same objects. Questions are raised about restitution and how museums deal with sensitive objects today. The exhibition on the Indian Naga provides insight into the minorities fighting for cultural self-determination or political autonomy worldwide. An exhibition spanning regions and epochs shows sculptures from Africa, Asia and Europe to which superhuman powers were attributed and which helped to overcome personal or collective crises. All exhibitions provide insights into different societies and their cultural practices. More information. Foam Magazines With a variety of objects, the Foam Magazines illustrate more than a century of collecting history: learn how and why objects were acquired, what ideas about societies emerged, and how the works were reinterpreted as cultural objects, art, and historical evidence. More 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 humanity - with three-dimensional sound installations in the listening room, phonogram archive and instruments from all over the world. More information. Family areas Hands-on stations, a specially built boat to climb and explore in the Oceania area, media stations specially designed for children and young people on everyday racism, or computer games on colonial history in the Africa area: the family areas give young visitors their own access to the objects and their stories. Further information.

Additional information: No time slot ticket required. Languages: German, English. Wheelchair accessible.