World Culture Galleries
Shreyas and Mina Ajmera Gallery of Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific
Level 3, Michael Lee-Chin Crystal
This gallery reflects the ROM’s vast and diverse collections that represent the artistic and cultural traditions of indigenous peoples from Africa, the American continents, the Asia-Pacific region and Oceania. This is the first permanent home for these collections in over 30 years, with many of the 1,400 artifacts on display for the first time.
Ranging from large and dramatic ceremonial masks and colourful robes to archaeological objects such as ceramics and basketry, the collections were gathered from the late 19th century to the present and represent some of the Museum’s founding collections. The artifacts reveal aspects of everyday life, clothing, commerce, ceremony and art of indigenous cultures from around the world. Divided into four geographic areas, this gallery is rich with symbols of heritage and identity that continue to have meaning today.
SHRUNKEN HEAD
This is an actual human head! The Shuar culture, native to Ecuador and Peru, took their enemies’ heads in battle and then shrunk them, believing this would pacify the enemy’s avenging soul.
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