Have you heard of Wampum? It's a shell bead found on the Atlantic coast of North America, and integrated by Amerindian societies into their culture and way of life, as it has a wide range of uses. The Musée du Quai Branly is devoting an exhibition to this shell pearl, entitled Wampum, Perles de Diplomatie en Nouvelle-France, from February 8 to May 15, 2022.
Originally, a pearl was used as an ornament, a symbol of prestige or even"exchanged as a gift". Its use diversified in the 17th and 18th centuries,"in the context of relations between the native nations and the European colonies established" in the region stretching from southern Quebec to South Carolina. A true witness to a chapter in Amerindian, North American and European history, it is also"a privileged gateway to understanding the societies that developed during the era of New France (1600-1763), as a result of exchanges, alliances and confrontations between Amerindians, the French and the English".
In all, some fifty pieces and objects are on display, highlighting"all the facets of wampum: from the coveted raw material, transformed into beads and objects like diplomatic necklaces, a medium of speech, a commodity of exchange, a badge of power and prestige, a religious object". Theexhibition also highlights"the fundamental role it still plays today among the Amerindian nations, notably the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Abenaki". Time to discover Wampum, folks?
Dates and Opening Time
From February 8, 2022 to May 15, 2022
Location
Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac
37 Quai Jacques Chirac
75007 Paris 7
Access
Metro line 9 "Iéna" station RER C "Pont de l'Alma" station
Prices
Tarif réduit: €9
Plein tarif: €12
Official website
www.quaibranly.fr
More information
Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am to 7pm, Thursdays from 10.30am to 10pm. Closed on Monday
