The restitution of objects and collections to Brazilian indigenous people

Abstract

The claim to "take back home" cultural objects by indigenous people in Brazil is not a recent practice. Although more localized in the past, currently, there is an emerging movement that has gained broader dimensions within the context of heritage policies. This involves the actions of indigenous leaders and intellectuals, as well as their networks of partnerships in the legal field, international relations, and institutions responsible for preserving collections, such as museums, universities, and government agencies, exemplified by the National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) and the Brazilian Institute of Museums (IBRAM).

I will present two cases of restitution of indigenous objects that can illustrate, in Brazil, how the processes of so-called "restitution" are embedded in the cultural context of each indigenous people as protagonists in the pursuit of their cultural rights. At the same time, these processes unfold a chain of actions and social actors that link institutions, agencies, laws, internal conflicts, museological protocols, the media, and public opinion.