National Museum of Ethnology

The National Museum of Ethnology in Lisbon is one of the most relevant cultural institutions in Portugal, dedicated to the collection, preservation, and dissemination of the world’s ethnographic heritage. Located in the Restelo district, the museum offers visitors a unique overview of global cultural diversity through its rich collections. Officially founded in 1965, the museum has its roots in the ethnological study missions of Professor Jorge Dias in the 1950s, which significantly contributed to the formation of its initial collections. These missions led to the collection of numerous objects, mainly from the former Portuguese colonies in Africa and Asia, as well as from rural regions of Portugal.The museum houses over 40,000 ethnographic objects from more than 380 cultures around the world, with a strong representation of Africa, Asia, America, and Portuguese tradition. The diversity of the collections is evidenced by the permanent and temporary exhibitions, which are continuously renewed to offer new perspectives and thematic insights.One of the museum’s most significant permanent exhibitions is titled “O Museu, Muitas Coisas,” which presents seven thematic nuclei. Among these, highlights include the shadow theater of Bali, dolls from southwest Angola, pot lids with proverbs from Cabinda, masks and puppets from Mali, popular Portuguese musical instruments, and the talas of Rio de Onor. These thematic nuclei allow visitors to explore a wide range of cultural practices and artisanal traditions from around the world.Another distinctive feature of the museum is the opportunity to visit its reserves, two of which are particularly noteworthy: the Galeria da Vida Rural and the Galeria da Amazónia. The Galeria da Vida Rural showcases collections illustrating agricultural and pastoral life, traditional technologies, and household tools of Portuguese rural society. The Galeria da Amazónia, on the other hand, gathers artifacts from about 40 peoples of the Amazon region, with a particular emphasis on objects from Brazil. These reserve spaces can be visited through guided tours by reservation, offering a more in-depth and intimate experience of the collections.The National Museum of Ethnology not only preserves objects but contextualizes them through extensive documentation including photographs, films, sound recordings, and drawings. This multidisciplinary approach allows for a better understanding of the use and meaning of objects in their original cultures, offering a more complete and detailed picture of the daily life and traditions of the represented communities.The museum is located on Avenida Ilha da Madeira, a strategic location near the Tagus River and other important cultural attractions in Lisbon, such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. It is easily accessible by public transport, making it a convenient and must-visit stop for anyone visiting the city.An interesting anecdote concerns the collection of Mali puppets, which not only fascinate for their beauty and complexity but also tell ancient stories and myths that are an integral part of the country’s culture and oral tradition. These puppets are used during ceremonies and festivals to represent scenes of daily life, legends, and educational stories, showing how art can be a powerful tool for communication and cultural preservation.