hey depict Māori ancestors, they have been described as cultural treasures, they are made from wood and shell – and they are now returning home after more than a century overseas.
Two pou – ornate carvings – that have been in the South Australian Museum’s collection for more than 130 years.
The repatriation has been made possible by the work of many in the Māori community, and is part of efforts by museums around Australia to give back cultural objects to their countries of origin.
The SA Museum said the outcome followed a “historic decision” to return the carvings to the Tamatea Pōkai Whenua (TPW) cultural corporation, based at Hastings.
“These carvings are a snapshot of our past,” said TPW chair Pōhatu Paku, who was in Adelaide for the ceremony.
“It’s very important in the sense that they are carrying almost like a time-stamp.”
The wood carvings, with abalone shell inlay, depict four Māori ancestors.
The SA Museum said the pou had been in its collection since 1891 and were part of a group of about 60 that was commissioned by Māori chief and parliamentarian Karaitiana Takamoana for a wharenui, in the 1870s.
