The 1896 Swiss National Exhibition, in the Casernes building, honoured the Genevan Alfred Bertrand (1856-1924), in charge of the “Voyages and Explorations” section. Already a great traveller, hunter and collector, in 1895 Bertrand became “an explorer of the Upper Zambezi” when starting out from Mahikeng (South Africa) he reached the as yet unmapped Zambian Machili River with English companions. In the showcases, his souvenirs vary from objects bartered for along the way to the prestigious presents with which King Lewanika (1842-1916) honoured him during his visit to the missionaries present in the Lozi capital. F. Morin/MEG