Las Americas

The stories of the various regions of America 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 assets and knowledge. During the dialogical tour, you will discuss current cooperation with First Nations from Canada and indigenous societies from the Amazon region, as well as how the museum deals with cultural assets from colonial contexts, demands for restitution and restitutions.

Meet dance masks used by 19th century Canadian Kwakwaka'wakw to portray mythological stories. Get to know a precursor to today's sports competitions with scenes of the ritual ball game from Mesoamerica carved in stone. This involves ethnological and archaeological perspectives as well as current debates, such as the protection of indigenous languages, self-determination and the preservation of natural resources.