Las Americas

The histories of the various regions of the Americas are as diverse as their indigenous cultures: Haida, Kwakwakaʼwakw, Inca, Moche, Maya, Nahuatl, Lakota and many others. For most of them, contact with the European colonial powers was associated with genocide and the loss of cultural goods and knowledge. In the dialogical tour, you will discuss current collaborations with First Nations from Canada and indigenous societies from the Amazon region as well as the museum’s handling of cultural assets from colonial contexts, restitution claims and restitution.

Encounter dance masks that the Canadian Kwakwaka’wakw used in 19th century ceremonies to depict mythological stories. Get to know a forerunner of today’s sports competitions with the stone-carved scenes of the ritual ball game from Mesoamerica. The focus is on ethnological and archaeological perspectives as well as current debates such as the protection of indigenous languages, self-determination and the preservation of natural resources.