Dutch Museum Returns Sacred Objects Stolen to Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe

YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO, Texas (KVIA) – The Netherlands is returning sacred artifacts from the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe. The items, currently held at the National Museum Van Wereldculturen, will find their way back to El Paso after being taken by Dutch anthropologist Herman FC Ten Kate in December 1882.

“Mr. “Ten Kate used very dubious means to bring our treasures back to the Netherlands so that they could be housed in museums, where they remain to this day,” said Michael Silvas, governor of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. “Since 1882 we have been praying for them.” returned and asked the Dutch for their return. Our antiques are part of our everyday spiritual life and were taken away from us to hang in a museum. Luckily our prayers were answered and these religious symbols will be returned to our people once again so that we can only strengthen and continue to practice our culture and beliefs.”

Lawmakers from Texas and New Mexico have been working with the State Department and the Dutch government to return the items.

Items include the sacred Pohwith Winter Drum, described as perhaps the Pueblo’s most important spiritual icon, now reunited with its brother, the Summer Drum. Upon his return, the pueblo will use the winter drum in its winter rituals and traditions for the first time since 1882.

Since 1967, the Pueblos have made several attempts to retrieve the winter drum and other important items. It wasn’t until 2017 that the Dutch rejected the pueblos’ request. Recently, however, the government publicly expressed interest in returning items to indigenous groups, opening a window for the return of the pueblo’s sacred objects.

“The Pohwith Winter Drum and its brother Summer Drum are living creatures that need to be born, fed, blessed, cared for and prayed for,” the pueblo said in a news release Friday. “The drums are more than 350 years old and are carved from the same tree from a forest near the Pueblo headquarters in Isleta, New Mexico. They will soon be reunited for the first time since 1882, along with the return of a shield. another smaller drum and drumstick, moccasins and rattles.”

The repatriation should be completed this year.