and carve wooden sculptures . There was also an explanation of how their meeting houses function and how to care for them . They have asked for the return of their “ O Tatau Whare ” ( a meeting house ), which is currently in England and is decaying due to rainy weather conditions , and they have also requested the return of some wooden carvings from the MARKK that are part of this meeting house .
Requesting repatriation of the house and carved figures presented a dilemma for the tribe . On the one hand , the house belongs to the tribal community , but over the years many Maori have come to live in England and have had use of this house there . So where will they hold their religious ceremonies now ?
The solution is a wonderful example of how everyone can win . The tribespeople are planning to carve a new house as well as new figures to leave in place of the original artifacts that they will take home with them . Thus , the carvers have work to do , historic artifacts are returned , and a new legacy can begin . It will be interesting to see how all museums approach these requests or even acknowledge them , and to see what happens to that art after it returns to its place of origin .
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