One of only two remaining 18th-century kelp water carriers has been returned to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people with the assistance of Emirates. The rikawa, a significant Ancestral cultural object of the Palawa, has finally returned to its homeland some 230 years after being taken.
The precious cultural object was escorted by French curators flying with Emirates from Paris via Dubai to Melbourne. The artifact was then transferred to a Qantas codeshare to the Tasmanian capital of Hobart. On loan for two years, the item is now on display in the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) ‘s new exhibition, taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country. Barry Brown, the Divisional Vice President of Australasia for Emirates, expressed his excitement to be part of such a historic moment:
“It is our distinct privilege to be involved in the process of reconnecting this piece of Tasmanian Aboriginal history from one corner of the world to another, with utmost care, and to ensure this invaluable kelp water carrier was reunited with its traditional owners.
“We are committed to reuniting Australians from all over the world, whether that is with a place, people or with cultural objects that hold a strong meaning and significance to them.”
How did it end up in Paris?
The rikawa was fashined in the late 18th century from bull kelp, wooden skewers, and plant fiber ties. The Palawa people originally used these vessels to hold and carry water. The specimen in question was collected in 1792 from the area surrounding Recherche Bay by the expedition party of Bruni d’Entrecasteaux. Its existence was first documented in the 1820s when it was illustrated in a catalog and belonged in a private collection. The water carrier then entered the French public collections. It was even displayed in the Louvre before being progressively mislabelled over the years with incorrect descriptions of its materials and country of origin.
This rikawa was re-discovered in 2019 in the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac’s African collection. It was identified by Dr. Gaye Sculthorpe, a Palawa woman and experienced museum curator at the British Museum. Dr. Sculthorpe was researching her family history when she came across a drawing of it done when it was on display in the 1890s in the Ethnographic Museum of the Louvre in Paris. Of the find, Dr. Sculthorpe, now a Professor of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies at Deakin University, says:
“It is one of the most significant Aboriginal items in any museum collection and incredibly important for Palawa people to be able to see it on their Country once again. I congratulate all involved who have made this happen.”
It is one of only two historic rikawa known in existence. The second rikawa was taken around 1850 and displayed in the Great Exhibition of London in 1851 before being donated to the British Museum with other Tasmanian Aboriginal objects. The two items have now been reunited and are both on display in Tasmania as part of the exhibition.
The journey home to Tasmania
Emirates, a sponsor of the exhibition, was responsible for transporting the rare and valuable rikawa under the care and supervision of curators from Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. The rikawa checked in at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, stopping over at the airline’s hub Dubai International Airport, before continuing to Melbourne, Australia. It continued its journey on a codeshare flight with Qantas to Hobart Airport.
Museum staff thoroughly inspected the item and documented its condition before placing it into a specially designed and climate-controlled case for the journey. The museum curators escorting the rikawa worked with Emirates Cabin Crew to assist with the smooth journey. The caretakers could also undertake checks throughout the flight and at borders to ensure it was secure.
Upon arrival in Tasmania, the rikawa underwent an intricate condition report again, which confirmed no damage. It now stands alongside its counterpart in a specially designed, climate-controlled display case.
The two rikawa rest alongside 12 other objects from the United Kingdom that have also returned as part of taypani milaythina-tu: Return to Country exhibition, which continues until May 7th, 2023.
