Historical artefacts returned to traditional owners in cultural ceremonies

A Top End Indigenous delegation has received four of 10 Warumungu heritage artefacts from New Zealand. Here’s how you can view the precious objects.

A Warumungu delegation is retrieving artefacts from New Zealand this week.

A palya/kupija (adze), a ngurrulumuru (axe/pick) and two wartilykirri (hooked boomerangs) were returned to the representatives at a ceremony on Monday.

The exchange took place at the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Warumungu man Jimmy Frank said the artefacts left Tennant Creek 120 years ago.

“In those artefacts there are signatures that are Warumungu,” he said at Monday’s ceremony. “When I look at that I find that it’s important because the signatures – that artefact that I’m seeing today 120 years later – the similarity is there.

“My grandparents made this out of rock, today I’m using a steel axe and a grinder.

“But the significant shape, the signatures are still the same today.”

Warumungu wartilykirri (hooked boomerangs) have been returned from the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum. Picture: Contributed

Mr Frank said the distinct signatures were an ode to his culture.

“We might live in different worlds today but we still the same people,” he said.

‘Today’s a very unique day, a unique and historical moment.”

A selection of the returned artefacts will be displayed at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre in Tennant Creek.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said the items’ return was critical for reconciliation.

“It’s also vitally important for our communities, giving future generations an insight into our rich histories,” she said.

Another six items will be returned during a ceremony Thursday, including a kalpunta (boomerang), palya/kupija (adze) and a selection of marttan (stone knives).

The items were part of a 6,000-strong collection of artefacts from Central Australia that have since been dispersed across the globe.

[e-mail]