Oceania at MEG
The term Oceania refers to a huge region in the Pacific Ocean grouping Melanesia (from the Greek "black islands), Micronesia ("small islands"), Polynesia ("many islands") and Australia. Although at first sight the inhabitants of this “continent of islands†seem to be living in isolation on some 10,000 islands scattered across the ocean, they are linked to one another by a common history and culture.
Between 60,000 and 40,000 BC groups of people left Southeast Asia and headed towards New Guinea and Australia. From about 3,000 BC, a second wave from southern China and Taiwan travelled eastwards, discovering and settling on most of the islands and archipelagos of the Pacific. Driven by overpopulation, the search for lands or prestige, and war, these brave seafarers reached the Hawaii islands about 700-800 AD, Rapa Nui (Easter Island) about 700-900 and New Zealand towards 1100-1200.
Display cases
58. The art of navigation
59. The art of navigation
60. The ’ahu’ula feather cloak
61. French Polynesia
62. Western Polynesia
63. Western Polynesia
64. The Māori
65. Australian Aborigines
66. Ghostnet art in northern Australia
67. Ghostnet art in northern Australia
68. The Kanak, the first inhabitants of New Caledonia
69. The Kanak, the first inhabitants of New Caledonia
70. The Sepik, an art workshop
71. The Sepik, an art workshop
72. Vanuatu, "the country that stands up"
73. Vanuatu, "the country that stands up"
74. The malagan of New Ireland
75. The malagan of New Ireland
76. The Asmat of New Guinea
77. The Asmat of New Guinea
© 2015 Musée d'ethnographie, Genève
Ville de Genève, Département de la culture et du sport