Cultural Anthropology

Head of section : Anne-Marie Bouttiaux

Overall objective

• to promote anthropological research and encourage better understanding in the fields of material culture and the arts.
• the study of material and immaterial testimonies connected with past and present expressive cultures and the analysis of social formations in Sub-Saharan Africa and the African diaspora.
• to disseminate this knowledge through scientific exhibitions, publications and activities directed towards a wide public.
• to be involved in the scientific management and critical study of the ethnographic collections of the RMCA Tervuren.
• to be involved in the development of anthropological field research and cooperation projects with scientific and cultural institutions in Africa.
  

Scientific staff

• Dr Anne-Marie Bouttiaux, curator and head of division
  West African arts and specific studies relating to mask institutions. Dance, contemporary art and history of ethnographic collections.

• Dr. Gustaaf Verswijver, curator and project leader
  Ethnography of Eastern and Southern Africa. Study of the material expressions of the cultures of the East African pastoralists.

• Dr  Viviane Baeke, curator and project leader
  Systems of thought and ritual in Central Africa. Study of material cultures and objects used in these ritual contexts.  
  

Research activities

• Masks from the Ivory Coast, more specifically from the Centre-West region (Guro).
  A.-M. Bouttiaux
• Ethical problems connected with field research in Africa.
  A.-M. Bouttiaux
• Research devoted to African dances and their representation in the photographic archives of the Ethnography Section.
  A.-M. Bouttiaux
• Endangered cultural diversity: inter-group acculturation and integration in the Karimojong Circle (Southeast Sudan).
  G. Verswijver
• African shields: aesthetics, diversity and symbolism.
  G. Verswijver
• Ritual calendar and initiation associations. Ethnobotany and systems of healing. Study of objects, plants and animals used in these contexts (West Cameroon, North-West Province, Mfumte).
  V. Baeke

Scientific services

• Collections
  The ethnographic collection can be consulted by appointment (on working days from 9 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.). This service is reserved for researchers, postgraduate students and exhibition curators.
  Contact: A.-M. Bouttiaux
• Photographic library
  The photographic library can be consulted by appointment (on working days from 9 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.) 
  Contact: A.-M. Bouttiaux
  Requests for photographic reproductions are processed by the division of Collection Management.
• Archives
  The archives may be consulted by appointment (on working days from 9 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.).
  An appointment can be made with the division of Collection Management.

• Loan of objects
  The administrative and pratical organisation of loans is done by the division of Collection Management.
• Library : see Central Library
  

Projects