French President Jacques Chirac has inaugurated an important new museum of indigenous art in Paris.

The opening has proved controversial as some critics say such a museum perpetuates the notion of Western superiority over other cultures.

But Mr Chirac says the museum "pays homage to people who have been brutalised and exterminated by their conquerors throughout history, people humiliated and scorned".

It is also proving to be a showcase for new arts such as Aboriginal works from Australia.

The new museum is housed in a contemporary building designed by architect Jean Nouvel near the Eiffel Tower.

It brings together some 300,000 objects from Asia, Africa and Australasia and is due to open to the public on Friday.