Sacred but Undocumented: Meeting the Challenges of Repatriating Poorly Documented Objects

Abstract

What happens when sacred Indigenous objects held in international museums have no clear path home? This paper explores the challenges of repatriating poorly documented Aboriginal secret-sacred objects—known as tywerrenge—to central Australia. Despite limited provenance, these objects remain spiritually potent to Aboriginal custodians. Drawing on a multi-year, Indigenous-led project by AIATSIS, Deakin University, and senior central Australian men, the study consulted over 110 ceremonial leaders across nine language groups. All supported the return of tywerrenge, emphasizing spiritual connection over Western legal frameworks of ownership. Leaders called for repatriation to restore ancestral presence to land and community, not just to return physical items. The project culminated in a regional gathering where leaders advocated for a dedicated museum facility in central Australia, governed through adapted ceremonial protocols. The study demonstrates how Indigenous-led models can reshape global museum practice and promote culturally informed systems of care for sacred objects.