museum · Cuiabá, MT
Museu Rondon de Etnologia e Arqueologia
Part of the Federal University of Mato Grosso, it opened in 1973 on the capital's campus and holds a collection from the state's Indigenous peoples. Next to the building is a reference house built in 2008 with the participation of Kurâ-Bakairi Indigenous people.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museu Rondon de Etnologia e Arqueologia
The Museu Rondon de Etnologia e Arqueologia, known by its acronym MUSEAR, is the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) museum dedicated to Indigenous peoples. It is on the Cuiabá campus and focuses on research, teaching and safeguarding Indigenous cultural heritage. The name honors Marshal Cândido Rondon, a native of Mato Grosso linked to the history of contact with Indigenous peoples.
The museum was created in 1972 and opened in January 1973. At first, the pieces were displayed in the old university cafeteria, in the campus Parque Aquático. Indigenists such as Orlando Villas Boas and Apoena Meireles helped build the collection. In 2016, after an expansion, the museum gained a new long-term exhibition, an auditorium and a storage facility.
The main exhibition, Diversidade Étnica e Cultural em Mato Grosso (Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Mato Grosso), shows everyday and ritual objects of Indigenous peoples, especially those of Mato Grosso. There are feather adornments, basketry, ceramics, musical instruments, weapons and utensils made of straw, wood, bamboo, bone and feathers. The collection brings together pieces from dozens of peoples from several Brazilian states and neighboring countries. Temporary exhibitions fill another room and change throughout the year.
It is a relaxed visit, indoors and air-conditioned, good for anyone who wants to understand Indigenous diversity before heading to the Pantanal or Chapada dos Guimarães. It works well for school-age children and groups. The museum also offers guided visits for schools.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
An hour is enough to go through the long-term exhibition at a relaxed pace and see the temporary show.
Best time
Any time of year, preferably on a weekday morning, before Cuiabá's heat sets in and while the campus is lively; since it is indoors, it is also a good option for the hottest or rainiest afternoons.
How to get there
It is on the UFMT campus, on Avenida Fernando Corrêa da Costa, in the Boa Esperança neighborhood, a few kilometers from downtown Cuiabá. You can go by car or ride-hailing app, and several city bus lines stop at the university. On campus, the museum is near the Parque Aquático.
Tip
Before you go, check the official website or the museum's Instagram (@musearufmt) to see whether it is open and what the visiting hours are; groups and schools should book a guided visit in advance. While there, visit the UFMT zoo, on the same campus.
Official website
A look at the place
Museu Rondon de Etnologia e Arqueologia in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museu Rondon de Etnologia e Arqueologia
Where is the Museu Rondon in Cuiabá?
On the UFMT campus, on Avenida Fernando Corrêa da Costa, in the Boa Esperança neighborhood, near the university's Parque Aquático.
What is there to see at the Museu Rondon?
Pieces from Indigenous peoples, especially from Mato Grosso: feather adornments, basketry, ceramics, musical instruments and everyday and ritual objects, in the exhibition Diversidade Étnica e Cultural em Mato Grosso, plus temporary shows.
How long does the visit take?
About an hour is enough to see the main exhibition and the temporary show at a relaxed pace.
What are the opening hours?
Hours vary; check the official UFMT website or the museum's Instagram (@musearufmt) before you go.
Can you book a visit for a school or group?
Yes. The museum offers guided visits for groups and schools, which must be booked in advance through the official channels.