Ethnographic Collections: Collaborative Curation, Memory and Museological Documentation

Abstract (English)

This paper examines the reconfiguration of ethnographic collections through collaborative curatorial practices between indigenous representatives, anthropologists and museum institutions. It explores the role of museological processes in the documentation, preservation, and reinterpretation of shamanic objects, emphasizing their continued relevance in contemporary indigenous communities. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from anthropology and museology, the study highlights the impact of participatory approaches on museum narratives, moving beyond colonial-era collection practices toward more dynamic, first-person indigenous representations. Through the case study of collaborative experiences with indigenous peoples carried out at the Pernambuco State Museum, the paper illustrates how indigenous perspectives can reshape museum displays, emphasizing ritual, sound, and embodied knowledge. The analysis extends to broader discussions on indigenous museum initiatives, memory politics, and cultural heritage management, showing how these efforts contribute to the decolonization of museum spaces. The study argues for an interdisciplinary approach that integrates anthropology, museology, and heritage studies to support indigenous agency in the creation and interpretation of their own cultural patrimony.