1880's Maori Woman
The bones of twelve Maori people, one reportedly a female, are finally traveling back to New Zealand after being held in boxes at the National Museum and Gallery of Wales at Cardiff since the 1920’s.
The return of the bones stems from New Zealand’s government mandated Karanga Aotearoa program which negotiates recovery of ancient bones on behalf of the Maori.
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa’s manager, Te Herekiekie Herewini, and co-ordinator Hema Temara held a short spiritual ceremony at the Cardiff museum so as to show respect for the remains. Herewini believes the return of ancient bones to their homeland is of utmost importance:
“This is significant for Maori as it is believed that through the ancestors’ return to their homeland, the dead and their living descendants will retrieve their dignity, and also close the hurt and misdeeds of the past.” LINK!
(Image courtesy of Flickr user fotofrancis)
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