Indigenous people in Brazil reunite with sacred cloak from Denmark

The Tupinambá de Olivença people celebrated the return of a sacred feathered cloak, taken from Brazil over 335 years ago, during a reunion in Rio de Janeiro. The cloak, considered an ancestor by the Indigenous group, had been housed in Denmark's National Museum until its return in July. The reunion was marked by rituals and prayers, as the community expressed their deep connection to the cloak, which they regard as a living entity. Cacique Maria Valdelice Amaral de Jesus, known as Jamopoty Tupinambá, emphasized the cloak's significance in addressing ongoing land disputes affecting Indigenous communities in Brazil. The cloak, made from thousands of scarlet ibis feathers, was historically used as a ceremonial garment by coastal Indigenous peoples. Its return was a culmination of efforts by leaders like Jamopoty's mother, Nivalda Amaral de Jesus, who fought for the recognition of the Tupinambá as an Indigenous people, achieving official status in 2001. The cloak was first documented in Denmark in 1689, likely taken during the Dutch occupation of Pernambuco. The museum's director announced that the cloak would be displayed to the public in April 2026, while remaining accessible to researchers and Indigenous people until then. The return of the cloak is seen as a beacon of hope for Indigenous peoples in Brazil, symbolizing resilience and the ongoing struggle for land rights and cultural recognition. Experts argue that all Tupinambá cloaks should be repatriated, as they hold sacred significance for the community, contrasting with their historical treatment as mere curiosities by European collectors. The reunion serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural heritage and the need for continued advocacy for Indigenous rights.