Itinerary of Dialogue

The « Itinerary of Dialogue » invites you to hear stories about the history, significance and special place of this selection of objects in the collections today. Through collaborations with source communities, some of these objects may be returned to their countries of origin, while others will give us the opportunity to question their nature, their use and the respect shown to them.

The forms and people involved in this dialogue are many and varied. Sometimes this dialogue has already taken place, is ongoing, has been initiated by MEG or by other parties, or has not yet been able to take place.

This itinerary highlights the processes underway in MEG's exhibition and collections.

Introduction to the Itinerary of Dialogue, Carine Ayélé Durand, Director of MEG

Sensitive Objects

For many years, indigenous peoples and local communities have been demanding that sensitive objects, such as the remains of their ancestors and certain sacred objects, should no longer be exhibited in museums without their consent.

For MEG, sensitive objects currently include human remains, sacred objects and legal or illegal objects from archaeological digs or spoils of war.

All the sensitive objects in the permanent exhibition were the subject of a consultation with the communities concerned. The aim of this consultation was to obtain their consent to be able to continue to exhibit these sensitive objects, to allow them access to the collections and to begin discussions on their repatriation if they formally express a request.

Dialogue objects

These objects highlight the collaborations and links forged with representatives of the source communities and communities to which the objects in the collections belong. These dialogues reflect ongoing work on provenance research and the decolonisation of museum and ethnological practices.