A museum in Copenhagen, Denmark has returned a sacred cloth of the Tupinambá tribe to Brazil, after 300 years.
The cloak, nearly six-foot-long, is estimated to have been made using 4,000 feathers belonging to scarlet ibis. There are less than 11 surviving Tupinambá capes in the world, most of which are actually in various museums outside South America. During the Portuguese colonization, this cape was taken from the tribe and eventually found its way to the National Museum of Denmark, where it has been on display since 1698.
In a ceremony last week, the cloak was unveiled to the general public in Rio de Janeiro. The event was notably attended by Brazilian president Luiz Lula da Silva as well as around 200 Tupinambá people. For many, this was an emotional moment that signified the return of a vital cultural heritage back to its home. It is unclear whether the Brazilian government would press for the return of other Tupinambá capes from other countries.
Indigenous recognition is a sensitive subject in Brazil with polarizing opinions. The supporters argue that it is essential for the Indigenous culture to survive, to ensure they get special rights and that their lands are protected. The opponents, however, argue that recognition blocks land that might have been used for development projects, while some Indigenous people themselves are against recognition due to fears of cultural assimilation. The Tupinambá tribe, however, is in favor of tribal recognition and has been trying to protect its land reserves from mining and agricultural encroachment.
