Völkerkundemuseum Universität Zürich

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The Ethnographic Museum at the University of Zurich is a social anthropology science museum and the third oldest ethnographic museum in Switzerland. In research, teaching and public outreach activities, it focuses "On Human Skill" and shows the full range and diversity of human competences.

In exchange with members or descendants of those communities of origin who once invented, produced and used them, the objects in our collections are explored under topical questions and, if possible, researched collaboratively. The origin of these objects and the circumstances of their acquisition, as well as the colonial past of collections, are also addressed. And (self-) critical questions are asked about who actually talks about cultures and societies and how they are represented.

Thus, as a place of dialogue, the Ethnographic Museum at the University of Zurich encourages reflection on what it means to be human.

This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.

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Foto: Kathrin Leuenberger

Völkerkundemuseum Universität Zürich

Symphởny of Spices – Vietnamese Roots, Global Routes

This exhibition traces the roots and routes of star anise, cinnamon and cardamom from northern Vietnam, the spice triad of phở soup and mulled wine.

until 13.09.2026

Rumble in the Archive. Interventions on Postcolonial Zurich

Völkerkundemuseum Universität Zürich

Rumble in the Archive. Interventions on Postcolonial Zurich

Not a traditional exhibition, but a space in motion: invited residents from the arts, science and civil society are designing it collaboratively.

until 27.09.2026

The Stuart Hall Project

Völkerkundemuseum Universität Zürich

The Stuart Hall Project

Film by John Akomfrah, United Kingdom, 2013, 99'; in English, with English subtitles.

12.03.2026  |  19:00

Happening and souvenirs: At the Spring Festival, artist and photographer Debasish Borah will photograph guests in front of a specially created backdrop, as seen here at the Pangsau Pass Festival in Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh, India.Pratush Karbhari, 2025.

Völkerkundemuseum Universität Zürich

The Spring Rumble

The residents and the museum team invite you!

14.03.2026  |  16:00

Dastmal-e-mohr; Hazara prayer cloth, Jaghori district, Ghazni province (Afghanistan). Undocumented author. Inv.-no. EMZ 28472. See: Petrella, Sara and Mylène Steity, eds. 2025. ABC Arts & Museums. Colonial History and Indigenous Voices. Oldenbourg: De Gruyter, pp. 53–58.Photo: Regula Kreis, 2014.

Völkerkundemuseum Universität Zürich

Book Presentation

Join the editors and authors of "ABC Arts & Museums: Colonial History and Indigenous Voices".

08.04.2026  |  18:00

Epizentrum 1: This House Has Moved Me

Völkerkundemuseum Universität Zürich

Epizentrum 1: This House Has Moved Me

Rumble resident and architect Salim Umar reading from his text-in-process.

15.04.2026  |  18:00