In a significant act of cultural restitution, Germany has returned two sacred indigenous masks to Colombia after years of discussions. The repatriation ceremony took place in Berlin on June 16 and was attended by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The masks, known as the Kogi masks, date back to the 15th century and originate from an indigenous group residing in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in northern Colombia. German ethnologist Konrad Theodor Preuss legally acquired the masks in 1915, purchasing them from the son of a deceased Kogi priest. The masks have been part of the collection of the Ethnological Museum of Berlin ever since. However, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation has acknowledged that the masks should never have been put up for sale as they hold sacred significance.
The Kogi masks are not merely historical artifacts; they are considered living entities by the indigenous community. “With the masks, we perform ceremonies to connect and work with the spirit of the sun, the waters, the mountains, and the world’s many species,” explained Kogi representative Arregocés Conchacala Zalabata to The Guardian.
While the Kogi community had intended to continue using the masks, experts have raised concerns. In the 1940s and ’50s, a now-banned disinfectant was used to treat the masks in the European Union. This disinfectant has been associated with respiratory problems and potential cancer risks.
Although the two masks were reportedly cleaned and detoxified earlier this year, their safety for wearing over the face remains uncertain, according to Rudolf Parzinger, the president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.
The return of these sacred masks signifies an important step towards rectifying historical injustices and respecting the cultural heritage of indigenous communities. It reflects a growing recognition of the need for repatriation and restitution of cultural objects that were obtained through colonial exploitation or questionable means.
Colombia, like many countries, has been actively pursuing the repatriation of its cultural artifacts, seeking to reclaim its rich heritage that holds immense cultural and spiritual value. The return of the Kogi masks is a positive development that acknowledges the rights and beliefs of indigenous peoples and promotes a more equitable and respectful approach to cultural heritage worldwide.