The Tracing Pattern Foundation from California, United States plans to facilitate the repatriation of 21,400 indigenous Papuan cultural objects. The objects include 1,200 artefacts, 20,000 photo galleries, 200 audio recordings, and 10 boxes of field notes from the Lapago Cultural Region.
Cenderawasih University Cultural Workshop Museum Curator Enrico Yori Kondologit said the archaeological objects came from the United States. The Tracing Pattern Foundation team and the 21,400 archaeological collections are scheduled to arrive in Jayapura in December.
‘The repatriation preparation starts in October-November. They may arrive in early December in Jayapura,’ Kondologit said.
Facilitating the repatriation of Papuan historical objects will also be carried out by the Papua Heritage Foundation or the Pace Foundation next year. They will bring 2,500 archaeological collections.
Kondologit said that most of these collections are relics of the Saireri culture. Therefore, they are preparing to take over the management of the Cenderawasih Museum in Biak so that the collections can be placed in the museum,
‘Other countries are flocking to return Papuan archaeological items. The collections in Papua are being moved,’ said Kondologit, alluding to the National Research and Innovation Agency’s plan.
Chairman of Mambesakologi Tanah Papua Daniel Randongkir said the repatriation of archaeological objects from the United States was a grant from experts who had researched Lapago culture. Similarly, the repatriation from the Netherlands is a grant from a number of experts who have researched the Saireri culture.
‘These items have sacred value. So, it should remain in the midst of Papuans,’ said Randongkir.
He continued that Egypt is one of the countries that has successfully repatriated archaeological objects. They work with the International Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) in repatriating mummies, as well as a number of artefacts from various countries.
‘Egyptians have the right to ask for these objects to be returned because they have nothing to do with British, German or Francis [culture]. It’s the same with the boar’s tusk necklace [from Papua], it has nothing to do with people in America,’ Randongkir said.
He continued that Law No. 5/2017 on the Promotion of Culture guarantees diversity and preservation of regional culture. Therefore, every cultural object must remain in its area of origin.
‘We must maintain what belongs to Papua. If they [foreigners] want to see, and research, go ahead. The important thing is not to take these objects outside Papua,’ said Randongkir.
https://jubi.id/seni-budaya/2024/amerika-rencanakan-pemulangan-puluhan-ribu-benda-arkeologi-papua/
West Papua Now 