At the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, England, you can see a beautiful Ahu’ula, a feather cloak from Hawaii. It is on display on the ground floor, in a case that has a curtain covering the glass, which when drawn back reveals the striking yellow, red and black design worked in tiny feathers. Draw back […]
The ahupua‘a, a land division extending from the mountains to the sea, has long been the cornerstone of sustainable land management for Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian) communities. "Ma uka" (toward the mountains) and "Ma kai" (toward the sea) are not merely directional references; they signify a deep understanding of care and access to natural and cultural resources within these regions. Through […]
Discover the beautifully sculptural Hulu Nēnē dress by fashion icon Manaola Yap, a designer and cultural practitioner from Hawaiʻi, within the Pitt Rivers Museum galleries. Displayed in a case in near the centre of the museum court on the ground floor, this installation is part of the journey through the Hawaiian landscape offered through the museum's current […]
In this Archive Case display, artists Simon Grennan and Solomon Enos re-examine the work of nineteenth century author Robert Louis Stevenson through dynamic graphic storytelling. Stevenson travelled to several Pacific islands before settling in Sāmoa in 1890. Referencing this time in Sāmoa, as well as Hawai’i and Europe, related items are brought together from the […]
Unfinished is a poem written by Carol Ann Carl, a daughter of the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. With a background in Biochemistry and health, her community work revolves around Micronesian youth and women. Carol Ann was entrusted to be the keeper of traditional origin stories, which she shares through her writings. […]
With these Hands is a co-produced gallery trail created by a multicultural team of volunteers who share an interest in the hand-crafted. Through the objects chosen and the stories told, you are invited to learn more about the way we craft and make in different cultures. Objects and storytelling enabling us to engage in shared experiences, […]
Saturday 25 April 2026, 12.00 - 15.00 Free drop-in activities on the Clore Balcony (First Floor) led by Museum volunteers. Join us for family-friendly activities. Pick up a trail, get creative with a craft, find books to explore and more! Please note: All children taking part must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are […]
Saturday 9 May, 10.00 - 13.00 or 14.00 - 17.00 Tickets: £75 Book here Members: £60 Book here Historic embroidery company Hand & Lock invite you to join them for a goldwork embroidery workshop at the Pitt Rivers Museum. This beginner-friendly introductory session explores the fundamental techniques of this traditional craft. You'll work with metal threads and purl bullions, […]
Saturday 25 April 2026, 12.00 - 15.00 Free drop-in activities on the Clore Balcony (First Floor) led by Museum volunteers. Join us for family-friendly activities. Pick up a trail, get creative with a craft, find books to explore and more! Please note: All children taking part must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are […]
Saturday 25 April 2026, 12.00 - 15.00 Free drop-in activities on the Clore Balcony (First Floor) led by Museum volunteers. Join us for family-friendly activities. Pick up a trail, get creative with a craft, find books to explore and more! Please note: All children taking part must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are […]
The cultural dances of Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian 'Ori are a vital part of life and are present in religious ceremonies, social gatherings, celebrations, and everyday life. They contain the knowledge and collected memory of its peoples-- cultivated over generations-- from philosophy, science, art and craft, relationship to Earth, and the human condition. Presented through […]
Tuesday 16 June 2026, 10.00 - 11.00 & 11.30 - 12.30 Exclusive Member's event. Free but booking required due to limited space. Book your ticket here Come behind the scenes and meet the Conservation team at the Pitt Rivers Museum! In this session you will be invited into the Museum's Conservation Laboratory to see what the […]
