Museums of the World: politics and the representation of indigenous peoples’ narratives in European museums

Museums during the course of their long history have undergone many changes that have resulted in their reorganization. Social and political changes of the past years have contributed in specific museums’ decision to change their name and become Museums of World Cultures. This thesis investigated the reasons that led museums to that decision, their hopes and objectives, but also the actual changes that accompany this change of name especially regarding their exhibition practices. The main objective of the thesis was to explore why and how western museums may decide to change their name and to what extent this change influences their way of exhibiting culture of non-western cultures. In this research three museums were chosen as case studies: the National Museum of World Cultures in Gothenburg, the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden and the Museu de Cultures del Món in Barcelona. All three museums emerged from former ethnological museums during the past years. The results of the thesis...Show moreMuseums during the course of their long history have undergone many changes that have resulted in their reorganization. Social and political changes of the past years have contributed in specific museums’ decision to change their name and become Museums of World Cultures. This thesis investigated the reasons that led museums to that decision, their hopes and objectives, but also the actual changes that accompany this change of name especially regarding their exhibition practices. The main objective of the thesis was to explore why and how western museums may decide to change their name and to what extent this change influences their way of exhibiting culture of non-western cultures. In this research three museums were chosen as case studies: the National Museum of World Cultures in Gothenburg, the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden and the Museu de Cultures del Món in Barcelona. All three museums emerged from former ethnological museums during the past years. The results of the thesis show that this change in museums’ name was a result of different situations but was mostly connected with their attempt to acquire a more contemporary character that is closer to the needs of 21st century society and to engage with the public. However, the change of name is not always accompanied by a change in museum policy. In reality, as shown by this research the exhibition policy of these three museums did not actually change after the change of name, even though there have been attempts to change the way they approach their role.Show less

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Museums of the World: politics and the representation of indigenous peoples’ narratives in European museums