6 January 2025
Origin research skulls
Skulls Papua New Guinea
Explanation of the background research.
What you see here are not masks but modelled human skulls. The skulls were modelled with clay and paint and even hair was implanted, so that they resembled the deceased ancestor. That was done in the Sepik River area of Papua New Guinea, at that time a German colony. The modelled skull was used in rituals and the ancestor was asked for favours, for example a prosperous hunt.
These skulls were brought by the missionaries of Steyl about 100 years ago. If a village converted to the Catholic faith, it was expected to renounce its original belief and all the objects that went with it. Sometimes those objects were then sent to Europe.
But can they stay here? The museum and the current Steyl missionaries (SVD) see it quite differently than was the case at the time. And what do the people in Papua New Guinea think of it? In 2024, the curator of the Missiemuseum went to Papua New Guinea to ask just that question, both in the villages along the Sepik River and in the National Museum in the capital Port Moresby.
The opinion of the people in the villages was unanimous: they don't want them back. The reason given was that it was so long ago, that they no longer know who they were, that they are now just objects and that many new ones have been made since then. In addition, there is also the fear that they may be skulls of enemies and that could bring mischief to the village.
Germany is considering helping the museum in Port Moresby build a new depot. Objects from German collections could then be returned there. And then maybe these skulls could also be returned. Can they still stay here in the display case in the meantime? We also asked that question and there was unanimity in this regard too, both in the villages and in the museum: no problem.
The Missiemuseum would like to keep in touch with the museum there. They indicated that they need training, especially in the field of conservation. The Missiemuseum is investigating whether it can play a role in this. The Missiemuseum will also make an effort to make available online as much of the the collection as possible, so that people in Papua New Guinea, but also elsewhere in the world, can see what there is in the museum and possibly ask for restitution. The museum and the SVD (the owner of the collection) are open to this.
The Missiemuseum would like to keep the display as intact as possible. It is a time capsule of 100 years ago and offers a unique glimpse into the way the world outside Europe was viewed at the time. Nowadays the museum and the SVD look at the world very differently. In coming years the museum will provide more context for the presentation so that the worldview of those days will be made explicit and a commentary provided.
In 2025 a short film about the research on the skulls will be produced and shown in the museum. There will also be publication(s) on the research, which will be made accessible to everyone online.
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