Exhibition "Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Counter-Investigations" At the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac from April 15, 2025, to September 14, 2025

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The exhibition Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Counter-Investigations explores the ethnographic expedition led by Marcel Griaule, which traversed sixteen African countries. Through objects, photographs, and archives, the exhibition highlights the colonial context and revisits the methods of data collection while giving voice to African and French researchers.

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Mission Dakar-Djibouti Exhibition at the Musée du quai Branly: Buy your tickets

Museum Entrance Ticket

-Access to the temporary exhibition "Mission Dakar-Djibouti" at the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac.
-Access to the museum's permanent exhibition spaces, offering a vast collection of arts and cultures from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
-Exploration of thematic galleries dedicated to anthropology, ethnology, and the history of arts, providing a global perspective on world cultures.
-The museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and offers a late opening on Thursdays until 10:00 p.m.

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What to expect

From April 15 to September 14, 2025, the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac invites you to discover an exceptional exhibition, Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Counter-Investigations. This unique project immerses you in the history of an ethnographic expedition that crossed sixteen African countries between 1931 and 1933. Led by the French ethnologist Marcel Griaule, this mission not only collected an impressive number of objects and data but also raised numerous questions about the research methods of the time, often linked to the colonial context. By visiting this exhibition, you will rediscover the history of this mission while exploring counter-investigations conducted by African and French researchers, who reassess the collection practices and the relationships between colonizers and colonized peoples.

An Immersion in the History of Colonial Ethnography

The Dakar-Djibouti mission was remarkable for its scope and its results: more than 3,000 objects, 6,000 natural specimens, photographs, manuscripts, sound recordings, and even human remains were collected during this expedition. These archives, which you will have the opportunity to discover during your visit, shed valuable light on the ethnographic investigation methods of the time. What makes this exhibition particularly fascinating is that it does not merely serve as a retrospective. Instead, it opens up a reflection on the processes of collecting objects, the ways in which they were acquired, and, most importantly, the critical perspective that can be taken on this period in light of contemporary research.

The Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac has taken care to create a dialogue between historical testimonies and archives with the research conducted by African and French scientists, who have carried out counter-investigations to question the methods used during this mission. These counter-investigations, one of the main themes of the exhibition, offer an opportunity to challenge racial hierarchies and power dynamics that accompanied colonial ethnography. This approach adds a new dimension to the history of the mission, focusing on the stories of the people who were studied and the often invisible processes that led to the construction of this cultural heritage.

The Importance of This Exhibition Today

Why is it essential to visit this exhibition? First and foremost, it is important to emphasize that this mission is part of the history of ethnography and colonialism, two themes that continue to resonate strongly in our modern world. By revisiting the collection methods, the exhibition encourages us to reflect on how objects are perceived, and more generally on how Western societies have shaped their representations of African cultures. It also raises the issue of the restitution of cultural objects, a subject that is increasingly debated today.

The exhibition Mission Dakar-Djibouti is therefore a unique opportunity to better understand not only a bygone era but also the contemporary issues that arise from it. It is not merely a historical retrospective but a genuine tool for reflection on ethnography and colonial heritage. By attending this exhibition, you become an active participant in this debate and contribute to a better understanding of the issues related to colonial history.

A Unique Venue for an Unforgettable Experience

The Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, located in the heart of Paris, near the Eiffel Tower, is an unmissable place for culture and history enthusiasts. The museum, distinguished by its modern architecture and its harmonious integration into the Parisian landscape, offers a unique setting to discover this exhibition. The museum itself is a true journey around the world, highlighting non-Western cultures through its permanent and temporary collections.

By visiting the Mission Dakar-Djibouti exhibition, you will be immersed in a space where history and culture meet, and where the stories of the past confront contemporary realities. With its numerous interactive devices and multimedia supports, the museum offers a dynamic and enriching visit. Audio guides are available to personalize your journey, providing detailed explanations of the objects and archives on display.

Practical Information for Your Visit

The Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Counter-Investigations exhibition is open every day except Monday, and will run from April 15 to September 14, 2025. The museum is accessible from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM, with extended hours on Thursdays until 10:00 PM, making it an ideal option for an evening visit.

The entrance fee for the exhibition is €14 for a full-price ticket and €11 for reduced-price tickets. Admission is free for those under 26 residing in the European Economic Area, as well as for all visitors on the first Sunday of each month. It is strongly recommended to reserve your tickets online to guarantee your spot and avoid long queues. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, so be sure to select the correct date and time for your visit.

Why Book Your Ticket?

Booking your tickets in advance for the Mission Dakar-Djibouti exhibition offers several advantages. First, it ensures that you have a place for this much-anticipated exhibition, especially if you plan to visit during peak times, such as holidays or weekends. Additionally, online booking allows you to skip the entrance lines and start your visit as soon as you arrive. Furthermore, advance tickets provide you with the opportunity to take advantage of preferential rates and specific discounts for certain categories of visitors (youth, students, teachers, etc.).

A Moment of Reflection and Discovery

By visiting Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Counter-Investigations, you will have the chance to participate in a unique moment of reflection on colonial history, power relations, and the ways in which cultures were studied and represented. It is an enriching experience, both historically and culturally, and a journey into the heart of contemporary issues surrounding heritage and the restitution of objects.

Book your tickets now so you don’t miss out on this unmissable exhibition and immerse yourself in the history of this fascinating ethnographic mission while discovering new perspectives on colonial heritage.

Common questions

What is the exhibition Mission Dakar-Djibouti [1931-1933]: Counter-Investigations?

This exhibition revisits the ethnographic expedition conducted between 1931 and 1933, under the direction of French ethnologist Marcel Griaule, highlighting the conditions of object collection and the contemporary perspectives of African and French researchers.

What objects are presented in the exhibition?

The exhibition presents more than 3,000 objects, 6,000 natural history specimens, photographs, manuscripts, recordings, and human remains collected during the expedition.

Who led the Dakar-Djibouti mission?

The mission was led by French ethnologist Marcel Griaule, who also supervised the collection of ethnographic and linguistic data.

What are the main themes addressed in the exhibition?

The exhibition addresses the methods of ethnographic collection, the colonial context of the time, as well as the relationships between the colonizers and the colonized.

Why is this exhibition important?

It allows for a re-examination of the history of this scientific expedition by offering a current critical perspective, while highlighting often forgotten narratives and marginalized African voices.

Does the exhibition offer counter-investigations?

Yes, counter-investigations have been conducted by both African and French researchers to examine the conditions of acquisition and collection of objects, emphasizing the colonial context.