The MEG Library houses an extensive collection focused on social and cultural anthropology. In addition to books and periodicals, it offers a variety of multimedia resources, including DVDs, CDs, comics, and children’s books, all tied to the museum’s collection. The library also preserves sound archives accessible through its phonotheque and features a 12-seat cinema for viewing ethnographic films. It occasionally hosts talks and events organized by the museum.
Explore mysterious objects, sounds and a hidden tale as a family. Search the colourful displays, listen closely to creaking boards and gentle melodies, and notice tiny details that hint at the clan’s secret crab tattoo. After a quiet tour of selected pieces, settle down to hear An-ju’s story, brought to life with warm narration and short musical moments. This visit invites curiosity, close looking, and shared storytelling among children and grown-ups.
Kids ages 5 and up. In French.
Ambroise Katambu Bulambo, professor at the Catholic University of Congo; Jules Maps Bagalwa Mapatano, librarian and founder of the Laurent Monnier Library (Bukavu); and Fabio Rossinelli, research fellow at the Universities of Fribourg and Lausanne, bring historical and publishing expertise.
The discussion examines the colonial origins of the modern-day Congo, tracing trajectories since the 19th century and assessing contemporary Afro-European relations, including Switzerland’s historical connections. It explores scholarship from a collective publication and analyses how past policies shape present diplomatic and cultural dynamics.
In French.
Listen as Sobo tells the gentle story of his bond with his granddaughter Kimi. Explore a small section of the exhibition and discover objects, sounds and melodies from the collection. Hear music woven through the tale, feel textures and see colors that bring the story to life. Kids will observe, ask questions and imagine scenes, focusing on sound and gesture to make the story vivid and personal.
In French. Kids ages 0 and up.
Patricia Guisado, librarian in charge of the film collection, manages and preserves ethnographic audiovisual materials and facilitates access for research and education.
This presentation examines the scope and significance of the ethnographic film collection, exploring themes of cultural memory, archival practices, and ethical use of audiovisual sources. Guisado discusses preservation challenges, documentation strategies, and how these films inform anthropological research and public understanding.
In French.
Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan, Research Director Emeritus at CNRS (France) and researcher at LASDEL (Niger), brings decades of fieldwork and expertise on African social sciences and development studies.
He examines decolonial studies’ claims that coloniality persists unchanged, arguing they downplay African agency and the complex internal dynamics behind democratization, decentralization and scientific development. The talk investigates historical evidence, methodological limits, and implications for current African social sciences.
In French.
Family visit to discover a facet of the rich collections of the Musée d’ethnographie de Genève, exploring both the library and the temporary exhibition. Imagine: if you were a king or queen, what would you change? After observing an element of the exhibition, we will listen to stories of African rulers who sought to transform their world, along with music from the MEG’s collection.
Ages 5 and up. In French.
Your password has been reset successfully. You can now log in with your new password.
We’ve sent you a password reset email to the address provided. Please check your inbox and/or spam folder.
Please check your inbox for a verification email to complete your sign-up.
Culture, curated weekly.
Event removed from your CoolAgenda.
