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Explore Global Cultures

Discover North Carolina’s only museum dedicated to the study of global cultures. Explore stories of humanity, from ancient archaeological sites to the celebrations and struggles of today. Learn about people from around the world through their everyday objects, ceremonial artifacts, and visual arts.

Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am to 4:30pm. Admission is free.

Upcoming Events

Ramson Lomatewama

Museum Closed for Winter Break

December 10 – January 2

Recent News Stories

Hopi Artist Ramson Lomatewama to Visit the LamOctober 28, 2022
Seeking Participants for Day of the Dead Video InterviewsOctober 12, 2022
Celebrating Day of the DeadSeptember 13, 2022

Explore the Collection with the Artifact of the Month

Yoruba Eshu FigureDecember 1, 2022
Hopi Wedding VaseNovember 8, 2022
Otomí Bark PaperOctober 4, 2022

Find a Craft Activity with Cultures Up Close

Native American Heritage Month: Make & Play the Bean GameNovember 22, 2022
Hispanic Heritage Month: Create a NichoOctober 14, 2022
Summer Fun: Make a Spinning TopJune 24, 2022

Stay in Touch

Receive updates on exhibits and events from the Lam Museum

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Dec 1

Our December #ArtifactOfTheMonth is a #Yoruba Eshu figure from #Nigeria. Eshu is a trickster deity, or orisha, in traditional Yoruba religion. As a trickster, Eshu enjoys confusion and is mischievous and unpredictable. Despite this, he ultimately works to promote order and harmony. He is responsible for both good and bad changes in life. As orisha of the crossroads, Eshu signifies possibilities and opportunities.

#Eshu also serves as a messenger between the mortal world of humans and the spiritual realm of orishas and ancestors. He enables communication with deities and delivers sacrifices to other orishas. Eshu shrine figures are often festooned with cowrie shells or money, as this one is, to convince him to deliver messages rather than play tricks. Eshu requires constant appeasement, which is why figures are commonly found in shrines or on domestic altars.

Eshu is often portrayed as having two faces, representing both trickery and opportunity and indicating watchfulness. Although generally referred to as “he,” Eshu has both masculine and feminine qualities that are often represented in the dual faces. On this figure, the second face is at the end of his distinctive long hairstyle.

With the arrival of Christian missionaries in Yorubaland, Eshu was conflated with the figure of Satan. In African Diaspora religions, Eshu became Elegba or Papa Legba. The significance of crossroads throughout the Diaspora is also tied to Eshu.

The Lam Museum frequently uses this figure to teach about African religions in Anthropology, Religion, and Art History courses at Wake Forest. Due to the failure of an original repair in the figure’s elaborate hairstyle, it must be repaired and stabilized before it can be exhibited or used in teaching again. We are currently raising money through our Conservation Fund to make these repairs.

#lammuseum #wakethearts

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Nov 22

The Museum will be closed Wednesday through Sunday for Thanksgiving. However, we have a new #CulturesUpClose post so you can have a new fun game to play over the long weekend. Visit the 🔗 in our bio.

#lammuseum #MuseumFromHome #beangame

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Nov 13

We had a great time yesterday with these incredible artists! ❤️

#lammuseum #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #wakethearts

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Nov 11

Tomorrow's Indigenous Artist Showcase will feature the works of four Indigenous artists and will include artist demonstrations, hands-on opportunities, and some works available for purchase. We hope to see you here!

#lammuseum #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #IndigenousArt #wakethearts

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Nov 10

Lunch & Learn: Hopi Arts is today at noon! Come hear from Hopi artist Ramson Lomatewama about his artwork. We hope to see you here!

#lammuseum #wakethearts #Hopi

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Nov 9

Don't miss tonight's poetry reading with Ramson Lomatewama and Lisa Samuels! Please note that this event will take place at Hanes Gallery, not the Lam Museum. You can find more info via the Events 🔗 in our bio. We hope to see you there!

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #wakethearts #poetry

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Nov 8

In honor of #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth our November #ArtifactOfTheMonth is a Hopi Wedding Vase. Learn all about it (and how it is not in fact used in Hopi weddings) below.

#Hopi potters draw on traditions that go back more than one thousand years. Traditionally, Hopi pottery is made solely by women. This vase was made by Pauline Setalla (1930-), as indicated by her signature and a painted bear claw on the bottom. Setalla was raised in the Mishongnovi village on the Second Mesa. She learned pottery making techniques from her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Setalla’s pottery is made from native clay and formed using the traditional coil method. It is decorated with traditional designs using vegetal paints. Although she has retired from pottery making, some of her children are carrying on her legacy.

This type of vase is known as a wedding vase. The two spouts represent the two people being married with the handle unifying them. This style originated with Pueblo peoples, and today it is used ceremonially by eastern Pueblo people in New Mexico and the Navajo among others. For the Hopi, wedding vases are not used ceremonially, but have been adopted as an art form.

Hopi weddings can take years to complete. The culmination of the wedding takes place in the pre-dawn hours with the couple accompanied by their female relatives. The bride and groom kneel in front of bowls in which they pulverize yucca roots and mix them with warm water. Within the context of the ceremony, this mixture becomes a sacred substance. The mothers of the couple getting married then use the mixture to wash the bride and groom’s hair. While the hair is still wet, they briefly intertwine the couple’s hair uniting them and consummating the marriage.

Assistance with this post was provided by Hopi artist, poet, and educator Ramson Lomatewama.

#lammuseum #weddingvase #pottery #HopiPottery

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Nov 3

In celebration of #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we are bringing award-winning Hopi artist, poet, and educator Ramson Lomatewama to the @wfuniversity campus for a week-long residency November 7-12. Learn about the public events he'll participate in via the Events Calendar🔗 in our bio.

Ramson’s residency is sponsored by the @wfu_iac @wfuanthro @wfuenglish @wfuart and the Kenan Chair in the Humanities.

#lammuseum #wakethearts #Hopi #HopiArts

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Nov 2

Feliz Día de los Muertos! If you haven't had a chance to visit our exhibit yet, it will be on display through December 9.

#lammuseum #diademuertos #diadelosmuertos #DayOfTheDead #wakethearts

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Nov 1

Today is the first day of #DayoftheDead! You can leave an offering of your own by writing a message on a paper flower and leaving it at the foot of our ofrenda.

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Oct 30

Mariachi Los Galleros were so great! The perfect addition to our celebration! 🎉

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Oct 30

We had so much fun yesterday! Many thanks to Mariachi Los Galleros, @fcpubliclibrary @quevivagrill and everyone who came out to celebrate with us!

#lammuseum #DayOfTheDead #diadelosmuertos #diademuertos

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Oct 28

We can't wait to see everyone tomorrow!!!

#DayOfTheDead #diadelosmuertos #diademuertos #lammuseum

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Oct 27

We're so excited that @quevivagrill will be here for our Day of the Dead celebration on Saturday! 11am-4pm. Don't miss it!

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Oct 26

Now is the time to add a dancing skeleton to your life! Join us for our #DayoftheDead Celebration on Saturday. 11am-4pm. Free!

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Oct 25

We're getting all of our craft supplies ready for our #DayOfTheDead celebration on Saturday. Don't miss your chance to make a sugar skull paperweight!

#lammuseum #diadelosmuertos #diademuertos

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Oct 19

We are really excited that Mariachi Los Galleros from Raleigh will be performing at our #DayOfTheDead celebration! We hope to see you here!

#lammuseum #wakethearts #mariachi #diadelosmuertos

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Oct 14

Looking for a weekend craft? In celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth, our latest #CulturesUpClose project will show you how to make your own nicho! Check out the 🔗 in our bio.

#lammuseum #MuseumFromHome #nicho

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