The Return of Warumungu Artefacts: A Journey Home After 120 Years

In a significant cultural milestone, the Warumungu community of Central Australia is celebrating the return of culturally significant artefacts that were taken from their land over 120 years ago. This momentous event marks a pivotal step in the ongoing journey of reconciliation and cultural restoration for Indigenous Australians. The artefacts, which include traditional tools and ceremonial objects, were repatriated from the Horniman Museum and Gardens in the United Kingdom, where they had been held for more than a century.

A Historic Journey to London

Earlier this month, traditional owners from the Warumungu community, based in the Northern Territory desert town of Tennant Creek, made the journey to London to reclaim ten important objects. The formal handover took place on September 11, following a request from the Warumungu community, supported by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). The emotional weight of this event was palpable, as community members reflected on the significance of these artefacts to their cultural heritage.

Traditional owner Ah Kit Jakamarra expressed the deep emotional connection the community has with these objects. "These artefacts that the old people sat down and had a look at them and cried about them and said straight away, ‘We want them to come back home,’" he shared. This sentiment encapsulates the longing for cultural connection that many Indigenous Australians feel, especially those from the stolen generations.

The Significance of the Returned Artefacts

Among the artefacts returned is the famous hooked number seven boomerang, known as Wartilykirri, which holds immense cultural significance. In addition to the boomerang, the collection includes knives, sheaths, an axe, a spear thrower, and a secret men’s object. Leonard Hill, the chief executive of AIATSIS and a Ngemba man, emphasized the importance of these items, stating, "The significance of material being returned home, back to those communities where that material was created in the first place, is extremely powerful."

Elder Cliff Plummer Jabarula echoed this sentiment, noting that the return of these objects is a momentous occasion for the Warumungu community. "This stuff has been taken away over 120 years ago, and [its] going back home is a really special thing," he remarked. The return of these artefacts not only restores a physical connection to their heritage but also fosters a sense of unity and healing within the community.

A Legacy of Cultural Displacement

The return of the Warumungu artefacts is part of a broader narrative concerning the displacement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural material. According to AIATSIS, cultural items have been taken from Indigenous communities for over 300 years, often ending up in overseas collections. Research indicates that some of the Warumungu objects were acquired by ethnographer Emile Clement and sold to the museum in the early 1900s. Other items were collected from telegraph station masters in the Northern Territory during the early 20th century.

Leonard Hill explained that the methods of acquiring these artefacts varied widely, with some being traded or gifted, while many were simply taken. This history of cultural appropriation has left lasting scars on Indigenous communities, making the repatriation of artefacts a crucial step toward healing and reconciliation.

The Role of AIATSIS in Repatriation Efforts

The return of the Warumungu artefacts is facilitated through the federal government’s Return of Cultural Heritage program, managed by AIATSIS. This program is designed to work closely with Indigenous communities to repatriate cultural material, ensuring that these items are returned to their rightful owners. Hill highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "It is an extremely important program that works with communities to facilitate the repatriation of cultural material."

Communities often seek the return of artefacts for various reasons, including the desire to display them, to tell their stories, or to repurpose them for cultural practices such as song and ceremony. The return of these objects is not merely about reclaiming physical items; it is about restoring identity, culture, and history.

Looking Ahead: More Returns on the Horizon

The repatriation of the Warumungu artefacts is not an isolated event; it represents the fourth collection returned to the community since 2022. In July, 20 culturally significant items were returned from the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles. This followed previous returns from the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Otago Museum in New Zealand.

While there are currently no immediate plans for further returns of Warumungu artefacts, Hill anticipates that more cultural objects will be repatriated in the future. He mentioned upcoming delegations from other Indigenous communities, including Warlpiri and Kamilaroi groups, who will be traveling to Germany and Switzerland, respectively, to reclaim their cultural heritage.

The returned objects will be temporarily housed in Canberra until they are ready to be received on Country by Warumungu elders in Central Australia. Eventually, they will be displayed at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Arts and Cultural Centre in Tennant Creek, where they can once again serve as a vital link to the community’s rich cultural history.

Conclusion

The return of the Warumungu artefacts is a powerful reminder of the resilience of Indigenous cultures and the importance of acknowledging and rectifying historical injustices. As communities continue to reclaim their heritage, the repatriation of cultural material serves as a beacon of hope for healing and reconciliation. The journey of these artefacts back to their homeland is not just a return of objects; it is a restoration of identity, culture, and connection to the land that has sustained the Warumungu people for generations.