In the 19th and 20th century, German collectors collected remains from people in then colonies to use them for now-condemned ‘race science’ experiments.
Te Herekiekie Herewini: ‘The hand over ceremonies are part of the recognition of history and allow for reconciliation and restitution to take place’, Mr Herewini said.
The Grassi Museum’s director, Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, said she ‘would like to speak about persons instead of human remains’.
“Aside from the burden of having these collections and recognising the injustice that is inherent to them, [there is the] uncertainty of how the different societies will respond,” she said.
“Sometimes we are not sufficiently aware of the enormous weight there is in having human remains, seeking to return them and bestowing the burden upon the shoulders of people elsewhere.”
