Jaranan and Reog at the Natural History Museum of La Rochelle, France (Field notes from a museological mission to collect ethnographic objects in East Java)

Our scientific mission to collect Jaranan and Reog masks from East Java in 2016 resulted in the collection of ten objects related to Jaranan performances at the Natural History Museum in La Rochelle, France. However, two Reog masks from Ponorogo could not be taken. These objects, made of tiger skins and peacock feathers, could not be allowed to leave Indonesian territory. The local authorities had a different interpretation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Obtaining a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate is the main requirement for inclusion in the inventories of French national museums. Today, French museums want to improve the scientific process of modernizing their collections by applying a shared heritage approach and experimenting with new collection methods involving all stakeholders (craftsmen, dancers, spectators, scientific artists and curators). The aim is also to develop mediation tools to enable the public to learn about the methodology used to promote the circulation of objects. All the information gathered during the fieldwork will be made accessible. An online forum will allow all heritage stakeholders to discuss the status of museum collections in the 21st century. At the local level, we'll raise the issue of UNESCO's reservations regarding the recognition of Reog as an Intangible Heritage Site.