The National Museum of World Culture in Stockholm has successfully completed the restitution of 150 pieces of sacred silver jewelry to the Mapuche people of Chile. The collection, which includes ornate trarilonko (headbands) and tupu (garment pins), was originally acquired during Swedish scientific expeditions in the late 1800s. The return marks a pivotal moment in the bilateral heritage agreement signed between Sweden and Chile last year.
Mapuche community leaders traveled to Stockholm to oversee the traditional ceremonies accompanying the transfer. The silver artifacts are considered more than just historical objects; they are living repositories of ancestral power and identity. Upon arrival in Santiago, the collection will be housed in a community-managed facility in the Araucanía Region, where it will be used for both educational and ceremonial purposes.