Larrakia sacred objects begin repatriation from Bristol to Australia

For decades, they have languished in storage in a Bristol museum basement. Finally, an extraordinary collection of weapons and ceremonial objects taken from the Larrakia people more than a century ago is beginning a winding journey home to the saltwater landscapes of the Northern Territory in Australia.

- Steven Morris

During an emotionally charged ceremony, Bristol city council formally handed over 33 objects including spears that would have been used to hunt creatures from fish to buffalo, some still gleaming with the red ochre used to decorate them.

They will be flown to Melbourne then taken by road to Garramilla - Darwin, in the Larrakia language - where they will be shown at the Larrakia cultural centre, which is due to open on a site overlooking Darwin harbour next year.

"It's a good day, very important," said Nigel Browne, a Larrakia and Wulna man, who is in Bristol to receive the objects. "This is the end of a four-year journey. To see the return of these cultural objects that were taken from Larrakia is very significant. They are the tools of our trade, as ancient huntsmen, fishermen. They have been gone a long time."