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Abstract

About half of the objects in the North Africa, West, and Central Asia department at the Ethnologisches Museum Berlin originate from Central Asia. In the late 19th century collectors focused on the Emirate of Bukhara and East Turkestan ((present-day Xinjiang). Subsequent collections primarily came from Afghanistan, emphasizing the Turkmen, Uzbeks, and Baloch to address gaps in the existing collection. Many collectors based on their perceptions of 'Oriental' aesthetics and authenticity, concentrating on objects that represented the ‚real‘ Orient untouched by Western influences. This presentation explores how Orientalist ideas have shaped Central Asian collections and examines the role these collections continue to play in the development of identities in Central Asia today. A particular emphasis is placed on a collaborative project involving the collection and exhibition of artifacts, conducted in partnership with members of the Uyghur diaspora.