MARKK Museum am Rothenbaum
MARKK Museum am Rothenbaum
We are delighted to welcome the MARKK Museum am Rothenbaum as a participant of the WanBel global project.
https://markk-hamburg.de/en/wanbel-50-years-of-independence-papua-new-guinea/
Founded in 1879 MARKK is one of Europe’s most important enthographic museums. The museum promotes the appreciation for and knowledge of the cultures and arts of the world. Through exhibitions, events and research, it provides spaces for cultural encounters and critical reflection. Founded in an era of colonial power imbalance, the museum today aims to question traditional certainties and encourage global citizenship through cooperation and in an atmosphere of respect, openness and empathy.
MARKK's Papua New Guinea (PNG) collection forms a core part of its Oceania holdings, with a strong emphasis on the Bismarck Archipelago, mainland New Guinea, and artifacts from German colonial times.
The permanent collection display of masks of the south seas features a stunning selection of materpieces from PNG,
https://markk-hamburg.de/en/ausstellungen/masks-of-the-south-seas/
Special exhibition: Pippi’s Papa
The stories about Pippi Longstocking and her father Efraim, who rules as king over a Pacific island, figure among the most popular works of European children’s literature. But did a Swedish “South Sea king” truly exist? The biography of the Swede Carl Pettersson (1875 – 1937) shows astonishing parallels to the tales in the Pippi books. Based on the life circumstances of Pettersson, his Pacific wife Singdo and their children, the exhibition tells the story of German colonialism in the Pacific in a playful and interactive manner for children and families. It also aims to inspire reflection on how we should deal with colonial world views in classical children‘s books today.
Pettersson was known as the “King of Tabar” in New Ireland.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the Hubertus Wald Foundation, the ZEIT Bucerius Foundation, the Hapag-Lloyd Foundation and the Claussen-Simon Foundation.
To find out more click on the link below
"Making the collections accessible is a central concern of our museum. Their charisma and historical relevance must be highlighted in equal measure. Wan Bel is a wonderful initiative for this and makes it possible to address the colonial history and difficult legacy that connects Papua New Guinea and Germany. At the same time, it opens up opportunities for participation and new perspectives on the poignant beauty and cultural significance inherent in these objects. I would like to thank the initiators for the honor of being included in this way in the celebration of the independence of this diverse country. This is linked to the hope that this project will create connections and provide insights into a future of jointly reshaping the way we deal with Papua New Guinea's cultural heritage, including in global contexts."
Prof. Dr. Barbara Plankensteiner, Director MARKK Hamburg
Nakni Nelly, a respected cultural leader from Malai Island in the Siassi group and Program Manager for Tourism and Culture in the Morobe Provincial Administration, made the long journey from PNG for an inspiring 10-day visit to the MARKK in October 2025.
His visit marked a significant moment of cultural reconnection, both personal and communal, as he traced the journey of traditional objects, including a rare sailboat from Mandok Island (Siassi Islands,Morobe Province),collected during the Hamburg South Seas Expedition (1908–1910).
“This journey has brought me closer to the stories of my ancestors. Standing before these objects in Hamburg reminded me of Siassi’s deep maritime heritage and the resilience of our culture that continues to thrive today.”
Whilst at the MARKK Mr. Nelly participated in a public forum at the museum together with PNG artist Gazellah Bruder reflecting on 50 years of independence fr PN.
Mr. Nelly’s Hamburg visit is part of a long term provenance research project at the MARKK, supported by the German Lost Art Foundation and the Hamburg Scientific Foundation. The museum will extend the collaboration with WanBel with a research trip to Siassi in 2026 and through further global exchanges that connect community knowledge with museum practice. The museum is re-imagining its collections for its renovation and expansion plans and is offering opportunities for the inclusion of voices and experts from source communities, including from PNG.
You can read more about the Mandok sailboat here