Return of the Sacred Tupinamba Cloak to Brazil

A symbolic artefact considered sacred by indigenous communities in south-east Brazil has been returned from Denmark.

The National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro received the Tupinamba cloak from the National Museum of Denmark and released it to the public.

The Significance of the Tupinamba Cloak

This cloak is a type of cloak considered important by the indigenous Tupinamba people who live in the areas of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. It is known to be similar to that used by shamans and chiefs in large ceremonies.

The cloak is 1.8m long when not folded, and has the distinction of being made using scarlet ibis feathers.

A Long-Awaited Return

After being transported to Europe during the Portuguese colonial period, the cloak was stored in Copenhagen since 1689 and returned last July, 335 years later.

This is the first Tupinamba cloak to be returned to Brazil, and the remaining 10 specimens are all in European museums, Brazilian authorities explained.

A Symbol of Cultural Heritage

A native of Tupinamba who arrived and camped near the museum to celebrate the return said, “Europeans put (the cloak) in an exhibition facility as if it were a zoo,” and added, “Only our people can communicate and interact with this symbol.”

Efforts to Recover Artifacts

The Brazilian government is working to recover artifacts scattered around the world. The return of the Tupinamba Mantle was agreed with Denmark in August last year.

The Tupinamba People Today

The Tupinamba people, currently known to have around 8,000 households, make a living through fishing and agriculture. They continue to demand that the government recognize their territorial boundaries.