The return of the dhulu is deeply significant for us. It represents more than just an artefact coming back; it’s a reconnection to our ancestral heritage and the teachings that have sustained our community for thousands of generations… [The return] brings a sense of healing, as if a long-separated part of our heritage is finally returning to where it belongs.
- Gamilaraay Elder, Greg Bulingha Griffiths and Gamilaraay representative Wayne Griffiths Jnr.
| Number of objects | Return destination | Institution | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 item (carved tree) |
Gunnedah, NSW |
Museum der Kulturen, Basel, CH |
Return celebration: |
Museum der Kulturen Basel, Switzerland
Gamilaraay community representatives, AIATSIS staff and Monash University staff travelled to Switzerland for an official handover ceremony on 28 November 2024. In a profoundly generous gesture, Gamilaraay community representatives gifted the Museum with a newly carved dhulu, signifying the community’s wish that the story of Gamilaraay culture continues to be shared with the people of Switzerland and the world.
The gifting of a new dhulu to the Basel Museum is a gesture of gratitude and respect for the partnership that has allowed the original dhulu to return home. It shows that while cultural items may return to their communities, the relationships, learning, and shared respect fostered by museums remain valuable and ongoing.
- Gamilaraay Elder, Greg Bulingha Griffiths and Gamilaraay representative Wayne Griffiths Jnr.
Conducting a smoking ceremony for the dhulu. L-R: Wayne Griffiths Jnr, Greg Bulingha Griffiths and Brian Martin. Photo: O Lemke, MKB.
Conducting a smoking ceremony for the dhulu. L-R: Wayne Griffiths Jnr, Greg Bulingha Griffiths and Brian Martin. Photo: O Lemke, MKB.
Offical handover event at the Museum der Kulturen Basel. L-R Back: Michelle Deshong, Elizabeth Day, Anna Schmid, Brian Martin and Wayne Griffiths Jnr. L-R Front: Conradin Cramer and Greg Bulingha Griffiths. Photo: O Lemke, MKB.
Offical handover event at the Museum der Kulturen Basel. L-R Back: Michelle Deshong, Elizabeth Day, Anna Schmid, Brian Martin and Wayne Griffiths Jnr. L-R Front: Conradin Cramer and Greg Bulingha Griffiths. Photo: O Lemke, MKB.
