Colonial Collections Datahub

The Colonial Collections Datahub is a digital platform that brings together, enriches and provides insights into information on collections from colonial contexts. It includes heritage from Suriname, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and many other countries and areas. The datahub provides communities and researchers space to add perspectives on the included data. See how this works

Search for heritage objects

Add your narratives to heritage and objects

Your knowledge about the heritage on this platform is vital. With your narratives and perspectives, we can present the 'objects' in their context and point to biases in collection metadata. When you create an account, you can add your narrative to these 'objects', make communities and create lists.

Create an account

Heritage communities

Upon creating an account, every individual or group of people can start their own community on this platform. A community is able to create lists of objects, bringing together their heritage. Communities can also add narratives to the objects in these collections.

Below are some communities to inspire you. Click here to see all the communities on the platform..

Community of SHARING STORIES ON CONTESTED HISTORIES | 2025

Community of SHARING STORIES ON CONTESTED HISTORIES | 2025 How are we - museum professionals around the world - dealing with colonial collections? How do we critically engage with the museum’s own histories and reflect on their role in society in the face of these challenges? How can we handle collections created and collected during colonial times in more caring and ethical ways? How do we navigate and react to contestations over certain histories and heritage? This knowledge exchange programme brings together a group of young professionals from around the world working in museums or collection-managing organisations to reflect on these questions and to exchange knowledge and experiences regarding their working practices.

3 members

Community of Community of Papua

1 member

Community of Digital Heritage Preservationists platform

DHP is a collaborative community where members—ranging from cultural practitioners and institutions to entrepreneurs and learners—actively participate in documenting, sharing, and innovating African heritage. Through digital tools, training, cultural marketplaces, and intergenerational dialogues, the community empowers individuals and groups to preserve traditions, monetize cultural assets, and connect across Africa and the diaspora.

1 member

Community of Benin

2 members

How does this platform work?

Here is a short explanation on how to use the following functionalities on this website: search for objects, add narratives and use communities.