Clay pot of the Shipibo, Peru
Among the Shipibo, an indigenous group in eastern Peru, large clay pots are used to store water and manioc beer. They are made by girls and women who also decorate the vessels with typical patterns. These patterns are signs of ethnic identity and can be found on various objects. Fine black lines (quene) and block patterns (cáno) are characteristic. All patterns are combined on the skin of Ronin, a mythical snake that encompasses the world.
2022 / T. Heinrich
Yams mask of the Abelam,Papua New Guinea, Monpa mask, Nepal
Among the Monpa people living in north-eastern India on the border to Tibet and Buthan, masks made of light wood are worn at large temple festivals. At the same time, they are an expression of local handicrafts and are sold to visitors. The woven mask comes from the Abelam people in Papua New Guinea. It did not hide the face of a human being, but adorned a yam plant. Yams are the main food of the Abelam. Myths explain the origin of the plants, which are considered to have soul. At harvest festivals, yam tubers are decorated like people. Masks give them a face.
1997 / B. Hauser-Schäublin 2014 / U. Jeep
Head and neck rests from Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea
Head and neck rests support head posture when resting and sleeping and help prevent the head from resting on the floor. They can also help to protect the hairstyle. The objects made of wood have regionally very different designs. On display is a Gurage neckrest from Ethiopia decorated with lines. The support, carved in the shape of a dog and rubbed with lime, comes from the island of Normanby, which belongs to Papua New Guinea.
1962 / E. Schlesier, o. J., B. Benzing
Smoking utensils: Pipe Tobacco bottle Tobacco in stick form, Tobacco pot, Cigar
Tobacco was originally native to the Americas. With colonisation and globalisation, cultivation and use spread. Today, tobacco is consumed worldwide. In addition to its ritual use, it is also widely used as a stimulant and everyday drug. Smoking utensils from all continents are on display: Tobacco from the Gran Chaco in South America packaged in stick form for commercial purposes, a cigar from Papua New Guinea, a tobacco bottle with dosing spoon from Cameroon, a tobacco pot from Fredersloh in Lower Saxony and a pipe from India.
(India, 2015, A. Windorfer), (Cameroon, 2015, B. Muhlack), (Gran Chaco, South America, 1932, Hecht) (Germany, 1936, von Ohlen) (Papua New Guinea, 1974, H. Peter)
Ethnographic Collection
The Ethnological Collection of the University of Göttingen is one of the most important teaching and research collections in the German-speaking world. Its beginnings date back to the time of the late Enlightenment. The collection currently comprises more than 19,000 objects from all continents. These provide an insight into the cultural achievements and forms of expression of representatives of numerous, predominantly non-European societies. The objects are regularly part of research and teaching and are also repeatedly presented to the public in exhibitions.
