Restitutionen aus den Sammlungen des Ethnologischen Museums

Abstract

Restitution is an important aspect of current collaborative projects between museums and communities of origin. The articles in this chapter examine the topic from the perspective of a lawyer (Thielecke) and an ethnologist and museum director (Koch). Thielecke explains the background of various restitutions from the Ethnological Museum Berlin in the last five years and concludes that at least for now, decision about restitutions are always individual and museums are still in a process of learning and developing strategies in mutual exchange with the communities of origin. Using the history of the Benin Bronzes as an example, from the collection’s origins in a colonial context to the current restitution from the Ethnological Museum to Nigeria, Koch examines the questions and opportunities emerging within restitutions processes for the museum itself as well as for the communities.

[keywords: restitution, repatriation, human remains, colonialism]