The British Museum has concluded a historic agreement to return a 15-meter ceremonial war canoe, known as a tomoko, to the Solomon Islands. The vessel, intricately carved and inlaid with nautilus shell, was removed during a punitive expedition in the late 19th century and has been a focal point of restitution discussions for over a decade.
The repatriation ceremony, held in London, featured elders from the Western Province who performed traditional rituals to welcome the spirit of the vessel back to its home. The tomoko will be housed in a new climate-controlled facility at the National Museum in Honiara, where it will serve as a cornerstone for teaching traditional maritime navigation and craftsmanship to younger generations.