‘We are glad to see this material come back to Australia from America, but we need more help for all our material to come back. We need help make a keeping place for all our material coming home. their final resting place is on Country.’
Mr Geoffrey Jagamara Mathews and Mr Warren Purnpajardu Williams Japanangka, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Warlpiri Project Men’s Group.
Warlpiri returns
| Number of objects | Return destination | Institution | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
8 men's restricted items |
Warlpiri, Yuendumu, NT | Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collections, University of Virginia, USA |
Request submitted: Return celebration: |
|
15 men's restricted items |
Warlpiri, Yuendumu, NT | Private Collector, the late Professor Nancy Munn (1931-2020), Emerita Professor of Anthropology at the University of Chicago |
Return celebration: |
|
13 men’s restricted items, 11 open items |
Warlpiri, Yuendumu, NT | Private Collector, Dr Bernolf Eibl-Eibesfeldt - son of the late Prof Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt |
Return celebration: |
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia, USA.
The Covid pandemic disrupted the returns process for the eight objects from the Warlpiri community. The items were flown to Adelaide and temporarily held by the South Australian Museum. In June 2022 the Warlpiri project men’s group travelled to Adelaide to pick up the material and return it to Yuendumu. A private ceremony marked the return in Yuendumu.
‘We’re opening the gates for other tribes as well, to help people in other places to get their things back. Showing a way for other tribes.’
Geoffrey Jagamara Mathews and Warren Purnpajardu Williams Japanangka, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Warlpiri Project Men’s Group.
Warlpiri men’s group with their cultural heritage material at the Alice Springs airport. Left to right: Karl Japaltjarri Hampton, Tommy Jangala Watson, Geoffrey Jagamara Mathews and Warren Purnpajardu Williams Japanangka. Photo: S Angeles, AIATSIS.
Warlpiri men’s group with their cultural heritage material at the Alice Springs airport. Left to right: Karl Japaltjarri Hampton, Tommy Jangala Watson, Geoffrey Jagamara Mathews and Warren Purnpajardu Williams Japanangka. Photo: S Angeles, AIATSIS.
Senior Warlpiri men Warren Purnpajardu Williams Japanangka, Simon Japangardi Fisher, Otto Jungarrayi Sims during the official return of their material. Photo: S Angeles, AIATSIS.
Senior Warlpiri men Warren Purnpajardu Williams Japanangka, Simon Japangardi Fisher, Otto Jungarrayi Sims during the official return of their material. Photo: S Angeles, AIATSIS.
Private collection of the late Prof Nancy Munn
The return of this material was a collaboration between AIATSIS, the Warlpiri Project and Professor Françoise Dussart, Professor of Anthropology and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Connecticut, a close friend and colleague of Professor Munn’s.
'I’m lost for words. It’s just been so much happiness in us. We cried. It’s our cultural stuff that was been taken away from us.
‘We sing out – that’s a signal that we are coming to pick you up. We’re taking you back to a warmer place, back home. Back to the communities where you belong.’
Robin Japanangka Granites, Senior Warlpiri knowledge holder
Jamie Jungaryyi Hampton, Robin Japanangka Granites, Dr Iain G. Johnston (AIATSIS), Darren Jakamarra Talbot, Ned Jampitjinpa Hargraves, Lazarus Jangala Hargraves, Simon Japangardi Fisher, Freddie Japanangka Williams, Sebastian Jampitjinpa Watson, Curtly Jungaryyi Hampton, Warren Japanangka Williams, Mike Jungaryyi Doolan, Derek Japangardi Williams and Karl Japaltjarri Hampton - Photo: J Hampton, Warlpiri Project 2023
Jamie Jungaryyi Hampton, Robin Japanangka Granites, Dr Iain G. Johnston (AIATSIS), Darren Jakamarra Talbot, Ned Jampitjinpa Hargraves, Lazarus Jangala Hargraves, Simon Japangardi Fisher, Freddie Japanangka Williams, Sebastian Jampitjinpa Watson, Curtly Jungaryyi Hampton, Warren Japanangka Williams, Mike Jungaryyi Doolan, Derek Japangardi Williams and Karl Japaltjarri Hampton - Photo: J Hampton, Warlpiri Project 2023
The Warlpiri Project’s visit to AIATSIS to discuss the return of the material collected by Munn: standing (left to right): Derek Japangardi Williams, Dr Iain Johnston, Karl Japaltjarri Hampton, Sebastian Jampijinpa Watson; sitting (left to right): Warren Japanangka Williams, Simon Japangarti Fisher, Robyn Japanangka Granites, Francis Jupurrurla Kelly and Jamie Jungarrayi Hampton. - Photo: I Johnston, AIATSIS
The Warlpiri Project’s visit to AIATSIS to discuss the return of the material collected by Munn: standing (left to right): Derek Japangardi Williams, Dr Iain Johnston, Karl Japaltjarri Hampton, Sebastian Jampijinpa Watson; sitting (left to right): Warren Japanangka Williams, Simon Japangarti Fisher, Robyn Japanangka Granites, Francis Jupurrurla Kelly and Jamie Jungarrayi Hampton. - Photo: I Johnston, AIATSIS
Private collection of the late Prof Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt
The return of this material comes as a result of meticulous planning between AIATSIS, The Warlpiri Project, and Dr Bernolf Eibl-Eibesfeldt. This repatriation was celebrated at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum, which cares for Professor Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt’s film collection in the Human Ethology Archive. At the event, the Warlpiri Elders performed and spoke to the significance of returning cultural heritage material.
‘I think about these objects and am in shock… When these objects are brought back home, I want to be part of that and be able to share that with my children. I’m not going to stop teaching them.’
Nelson Tex, son of the late Warlpiri Elder and senior lore man, Banjo Jungarrayi Tex.
Simon Japangardi Fisher Snr speaking at the Handover event, Festaal, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt. - Photo: © Sven Tränkner, Senckenberg
Simon Japangardi Fisher Snr speaking at the Handover event, Festaal, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt. - Photo: © Sven Tränkner, Senckenberg
Ms Natasha Smith, Australian Ambassador to Germany and Ned Jampitjinpa Hargraves at the Warlpiri Handover event, Festaal, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt: Sitting (left to right): Ms Natasha Smith, Ned Jampitjinpa Hargraves - Photo: © Sven Tränkner, Senckenberg
Ms Natasha Smith, Australian Ambassador to Germany and Ned Jampitjinpa Hargraves at the Warlpiri Handover event, Festaal, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt: Sitting (left to right): Ms Natasha Smith, Ned Jampitjinpa Hargraves - Photo: © Sven Tränkner, Senckenberg
The Warlpiri Project
The Warlpiri Project is an initiative created and led by the Warlpiri community to repatriate and reconnect Warlpiri people with their cultural heritage that has been displaced across museums, institutions and personal collections around the world.
Warlpiri Elder Robyn Japanangka Granites and Darren Jakamarra Talbot examining Warlpiri material recorded by Nancy Munn in the 1950s. - Photo: I Johnston, AIATSIS
Warlpiri Elder Robyn Japanangka Granites and Darren Jakamarra Talbot examining Warlpiri material recorded by Nancy Munn in the 1950s. - Photo: I Johnston, AIATSIS
