Exhibition ‘Deconstructing colonialism, Decolonising the imagination’ on display at the National Museum of Ethnology until November 2, 2025
The CEsA – Centre for African and Development Studies and the National Museum of Ethnology in Lisbon invite you to a profound reflection and deconstruction of the myths surrounding Portuguese colonialism in Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries. This initiative aims to renew knowledge on the colonial question through a visit to the exhibition Deconstructing Colonialism, Decolonising the Imagination. Portuguese Colonialism in Africa: Myths and Realities, inaugurated on October 29, 2024, and open to the public until November 2, 2025, in the largest temporary exhibition hall of the National Museum of Ethnology (Avenida da Ilha da Madeira, 1400-203 Lisbon).
The project was conceived and coordinated by CEsA researcher and historian Isabel Castro Henriques to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April, emphasising the importance of understanding the past to build a more inclusive future. It is co-organised by CEsA and the National Museum of Ethnology, with the support of the 50 Years of the 25th of April Commemorative Commission.
The exhibition is structured around two central themes:
- The power of historical narrative, which draws on research conducted by approximately 30 researchers and contributions from iconographic materials provided by Portuguese and foreign institutions. It combines text and imagery to give voice to historical knowledge.
- The voices of African cultures, presented through 139 works of art that showcase the material evidence of African thought and cultures, challenging the stereotypes perpetuated by colonial ideology. This second theme includes a selection of pieces from the National Museum of Ethnology’s collections, items on loan from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and collections by Francisco Capelo, Lívio de Morais, Hilaire Balu Kuyangiko, and Mónica de Miranda.
The Executive Committee of the exhibition is chaired by Isabel Castro Henriques and includes Inocência Mata, Joana Pereira Leite, João Moreira da Silva, Luca Fazzini, and Mariana Castro Henriques. Its Scientific Committee, also chaired by Isabel Castro Henriques, comprises 20 members, including António Pinto Ribeiro, Aurora Almada Santos, Elsa Peralta, Isabel do Carmo, and José Neves.
Parallel Programme
The exhibition is accompanied by an extensive parallel programme, including:
- A Cinema and Decolonisation Cycle, with screenings at the ISEG and the National Museum of Ethnology;
- A travelling exhibition to schools and cultural centres in Portugal, as well as Portuguese-speaking regions in Africa and Brazil;
- A series of talks at the National Museum of Ethnology under the title Deconstructing Racism, Decolonising the Museum, Rethinking Knowledge, alongside scientific conferences and colloquia.
The exhibition is complemented by a book of the same name, published by Edições Colibri. In its 344 pages, the approximately 30 researchers involved in this project delve into the various themes addressed.
Read more:
Exhibition on colonialism at the National Museum of Ethnology (ISEG website)
Deconstructing Colonialism, Decolonising Imaginary (Edições Colibri website)
Author: CEsA Communication (comunicacao@cesa.iseg.ulisboa.pt) with information from the Communications team of the National Museum of Ethnology
Image: CEsA/Reproduction
