A Tapestry of Triumph: Tupinambá Mantel's Return Weaves a New Chapter in Cultural Reclamation
Denmark's National Museum is returning a 16th-century Tupinambá mantel to Brazil after over 300 years in Europe, demonstrating a positive shift in reconnecting treasures with indigenous communities.
In this, the first written insight highlighting positive cases on the return of cultural heritage to indigenous communities, I focus on a very recent case that occurred right here in Denmark when on June 27, the Nationalmuseet, Denmark's National Museum, announced the permanent transfer of a rare Tupinambá mantel to Museu Nacional, Brazil’s National Museum in Rio de Janeiro. Following communications between Tupinambá indigenous community leaders, the two cultural institutions, and various levels of both the Brazilian and Danish governments, the donation will see the Tupinambá feather mantel return after more than three centuries in Europe in the Danish Royal Collection of Kongens Kunstkammer.
“The dreams of our ancestors, which are also ours, are still alive. Amotara preserved in her memory the existence of a Sacred Mantle for our people. Our mantles are icons of our spirituality and, therefore, we believe that they should be up and alive, close to their original people.”
The formal request was supported by letters from Tupinambá leaders Chief Maria Valdelice Amaral de Jesus and Chief Rosivaldo Ferreira da Silva, and presented to Rane Willerslev, director of Nationalmuseet. With the support of the Museum’s board and leadership secured, Denmark’s Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt authorised the return on May 31.
Worn during sacred ceremonies and assemblies, these beautiful mantels were produced around the 16th and early 17th century by the Tupinambá, one of the Tupi ethnic groups that inhabited Brazil’s East coast before the arrival of the Portuguese. Adorned with the feathers of the Scarlet Ibis and other exotic birds, these mantels are exceptional examples of the skill and craftsmanship of Tupinambá. However, for the people, the sacred and spiritual qualities of the Tupinambá Mantel have never diminished over the centuries. In her letter to the Nationalmuseet, Chief Maria Valdelice Amaral de Jesus shared that “The dreams of our ancestors, which are also ours, are still alive. Amotara preserved in her memory the existence of a Sacred Mantle for our people. Our mantles are icons of our spirituality and, therefore, we believe that they should be up and alive, close to their original people.” (Roxo 2023)
In a statement released on 28 June, the Brazilian Government was pleased to hear the news and welcomed it warmly, stating that the return of the Tupinambá mantle “symbolizes the current moment of affirming the richness, importance, and diversity of Brazilian culture, with the culture of the original peoples serving as the essential foundation of this heritage.” (Brazilian Government 2023)
Plans are underway for the Tupinambá mantel to return to Brazil in 2024 ahead of a planned exhibition soon after that at the Museu Nacional in Rio de Janeiro. A number of key elements stand out which in my view has contributed to the positive milestones leading to this point. Firstly and most importantly, the collaboration between the Tupinambá community and the Government of Brazil stresses the value and importance for Governments and Indigenous Communities to work together, especially in matters as complex as restitutions. And, secondly, this collaboration between both Museums serves as a great example for the wider Museum community. Opening a pathway for restitution creates an avenue for healing and growth. It only requires courage, commitment, and a common cause.
A note regarding terms
Kappe (or cape) is used to describe this beautiful treasure in the Nationalmuseet. However, Mantel has been applied in the Brazilian publications. For this short article, while a more appropriate and accurate term is being sought from the Tupinamá community ’mantel’ is being used due to its use by sources in Brazil.
References
Roxo, Elisangela, P 2023, ‘The Return of the Tupinambá Mantel’, Revista Piauí, 4 July 2023, accessed 14 August 2023 < https://piaui.folha.uol.com.br/the-return-of-the-tupinamba-mantle/ >
Brazilian Government, P 2023, ‘Joint Press Release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples - Donation of the Tupinambá cloak to the National Museum’, Press Release No.266, 28 June 2023, accessed 14 August 2023, <https://www.gov.br/mre/en/contact-us/press-area/press-releases/joint-press-release-from-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-the-ministry-of-culture-the-ministry-of-education-and-the-ministry-of-indigenous-peoples-donation-of-the-tupinamba-cloak-to-the-national-museum>
A Tapestry of Triumph: Tupinambá Mantel's Return Weaves a New Chapter in Cultural Reclamation
Denmark's National Museum is returning a 16th-century Tupinambá mantel to Brazil after over 300 years in Europe, demonstrating a positive shift in reconnecting treasures with indigenous communities.
In this, the first written insight highlighting positive cases on the return of cultural heritage to indigenous communities, I focus on a very recent case that occurred right here in Denmark when on June 27, the Nationalmuseet, Denmark's National Museum, announced the permanent transfer of a rare Tupinambá mantel to Museu Nacional, Brazil’s National Museum in Rio de Janeiro. Following communications between Tupinambá indigenous community leaders, the two cultural institutions, and various levels of both the Brazilian and Danish governments, the donation will see the Tupinambá feather mantel return after more than three centuries in Europe in the Danish Royal Collection of Kongens Kunstkammer.
“The dreams of our ancestors, which are also ours, are still alive. Amotara preserved in her memory the existence of a Sacred Mantle for our people. Our mantles are icons of our spirituality and, therefore, we believe that they should be up and alive, close to their original people.”
The formal request was supported by letters from Tupinambá leaders Chief Maria Valdelice Amaral de Jesus and Chief Rosivaldo Ferreira da Silva, and presented to Rane Willerslev, director of Nationalmuseet. With the support of the Museum’s board and leadership secured, Denmark’s Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt authorised the return on May 31.
Worn during sacred ceremonies and assemblies, these beautiful mantels were produced around the 16th and early 17th century by the Tupinambá, one of the Tupi ethnic groups that inhabited Brazil’s East coast before the arrival of the Portuguese. Adorned with the feathers of the Scarlet Ibis and other exotic birds, these mantels are exceptional examples of the skill and craftsmanship of Tupinambá. However, for the people, the sacred and spiritual qualities of the Tupinambá Mantel have never diminished over the centuries. In her letter to the Nationalmuseet, Chief Maria Valdelice Amaral de Jesus shared that “The dreams of our ancestors, which are also ours, are still alive. Amotara preserved in her memory the existence of a Sacred Mantle for our people. Our mantles are icons of our spirituality and, therefore, we believe that they should be up and alive, close to their original people.” (Roxo 2023)
In a statement released on 28 June, the Brazilian Government was pleased to hear the news and welcomed it warmly, stating that the return of the Tupinambá mantle “symbolizes the current moment of affirming the richness, importance, and diversity of Brazilian culture, with the culture of the original peoples serving as the essential foundation of this heritage.” (Brazilian Government 2023)
Plans are underway for the Tupinambá mantel to return to Brazil in 2024 ahead of a planned exhibition soon after that at the Museu Nacional in Rio de Janeiro. A number of key elements stand out which in my view has contributed to the positive milestones leading to this point. Firstly and most importantly, the collaboration between the Tupinambá community and the Government of Brazil stresses the value and importance for Governments and Indigenous Communities to work together, especially in matters as complex as restitutions. And, secondly, this collaboration between both Museums serves as a great example for the wider Museum community. Opening a pathway for restitution creates an avenue for healing and growth. It only requires courage, commitment, and a common cause.
A note regarding terms
Kappe (or cape) is used to describe this beautiful treasure in the Nationalmuseet. However, Mantel has been applied in the Brazilian publications. For this short article, while a more appropriate and accurate term is being sought from the Tupinamá community ’mantel’ is being used due to its use by sources in Brazil.
References
Roxo, Elisangela, P 2023, ‘The Return of the Tupinambá Mantel’, Revista Piauí, 4 July 2023, accessed 14 August 2023 < https://piaui.folha.uol.com.br/the-return-of-the-tupinamba-mantle/ >
Brazilian Government, P 2023, ‘Joint Press Release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples - Donation of the Tupinambá cloak to the National Museum’, Press Release No.266, 28 June 2023, accessed 14 August 2023, <https://www.gov.br/mre/en/contact-us/press-area/press-releases/joint-press-release-from-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-the-ministry-of-culture-the-ministry-of-education-and-the-ministry-of-indigenous-peoples-donation-of-the-tupinamba-cloak-to-the-national-museum>
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