By Claudia Berardi
After more than 70 years away from their homeland, the Ivi Tupuna (ancestral remains) that were taken to Norway by Thor Heyerdahl during his 1955-1956 expedition have returned to Rapa Nui. This milestone is not only a cultural and diplomatic achievement, but also a deeply spiritual act that reconnects the Rapa Nui people with their ancestors and their ancestral cosmovision.
The Historical Context: How the Ivi Tupuna Came to Be in Norway
The extraction of archaeological pieces and human remains from Rapa Nui began in a context of lack of protection. In 1955, when Thor Heyerdahl took these cultural treasures off the island, the Rapa Nui had no citizenship or full rights. At that time, some elders considered that taking the remains off the island was a way to preserve them in the face of the deterioration and destruction caused by the Williamson Balfour Exploitation Company. However, this act left a wound in the heart of the Rapa Nui people, a disconnection between the living and the Ivi Tupuna, who represent much more than physical remains: they are the bridge between the past, the present and Rapa Nui spirituality.
For Rapa Nui people, time is not linear. In their worldview, past and present coexist, and the spirits of the ancestors continue to be an active part of daily life. According to this view, the Ivi Tupuna are not just physical remnants, but living entities that communicate with their own, guide, protect and sometimes punish.
Tarita Rapu, advisor to CODEIPA and Mau Hatu (Council of Elders), a key part of this process, reflects: “This return is not only an act of historical justice, but of spiritual healing. The Ivi Tupuna are part of our identity, our past and our present. Now they are part of the henua (land/placenta) again.”
Welcoming rituals: nourishing the soul of the ancestors
The return process was accompanied by deep ancestral practices. The elders of the Mau Hatu (Council of Elders) led traditional ceremonies that included kai (food offerings) and the preparation of an umu, an earth oven or curanto, where cooked food not only feeds the people, but also the spirits, through the steam emanating from the ground. This symbolic act represents the communion between the living and the Ivi Tupuna, a ritual of reciprocity and respect.
Even the transfer of the remains in Norway was marked by a spiritual protocol. The Rapa Nui leaders spent a night in the museum where the Ivi Tupuna were found, sleeping next to them and seeking to establish a spiritual dialogue. According to the elders, these connections usually manifest themselves in dreams, which confirms the presence and approval of the spirits in the process. They say that this contact actually took place that night.
An act of vindication and hope
The return of the Ivi Tupuna also has political and social significance for future generations. It is an act of vindication that seeks to repair the impact of colonization, looting and cultural imposition. For the Rapa Nui people, this process not only reconnects with their past, but also strengthens the identity and spirituality of the community.
In recent years, youth participation in these repatriations has been growing, thanks to a conscious effort on the part of elders and cultural leaders to transmit the respect and traditions associated with the Tupuna. However, this process also underscores the importance of maintaining the central role of the koro (elders) in these ceremonies, as their knowledge and spiritual connection are irreplaceable.
The return of the Ivi Tupuna is more than an act of historical justice; it is a moment of spiritual rebirth for Rapa Nui. This milestone brings the ancestors back to their land and reaffirms the commitment of the Rapa Nui people with their heritage and worldview.
As Tarita says: “Fulfilling our tupuna is a duty. They needed to return to their home, to rest in the land where they belong. In Rapa Nui, life and death are not separate; they are part of the same cycle. And now, that cycle has finally been completed.”
The challenge for future generations will be to keep this connection alive and continue to honor the Ivi Tupuna, ensuring that their spiritual and cultural legacy lives on.
The Reception Ceremony on Rapa Nui
The arrival of the Ivi Tupuna on Rapa Nui was received with a ceremony that combined official protocol with deep spiritual significance. Representatives of the Ma’u Henua community, local authorities and members of the Council of Elders participated in the welcome rites, which included traditional chants, offerings and the umu ceremony. The remains were carried in procession to Ahu Riata, the ceremonial site designated for their final rest.
This return is part of a broader effort by the Rapanui community to recover their heritage dispersed in museums around the world. In parallel, negotiations for the repatriation of the Hoa Hakananai’a moai from the British Museum in London remain one of the Rapanui people’s priority objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ivi Tupuna Repatriation
What are the Ivi Tupuna?
The Ivi Tupuna are the skeletal remains of the Rapanui people’s ancestors. In the Rapa Nui cosmovision, they are not simply physical remains: they are beings who continue to exist in another dimension and actively influence the wellbeing of the living community. Their presence on the island is essential for the spiritual bond between past and present generations.
Why were the Ivi Tupuna at the Kon-Tiki Museum in Norway?
In 1955-1956, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl conducted an archaeological expedition to Rapa Nui during which he removed more than 600 archaeological pieces and human remains, deposited at the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo. At that time, the Rapanui population lacked citizenship and full rights to legally oppose the extraction.
How long were the Ivi Tupuna in Norway?
More than 70 years. The Ivi Tupuna left Rapa Nui in 1955-1956 during the Heyerdahl expedition and remained at the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo until their repatriation in 2025, completing more than seven decades away from their homeland.
How was the repatriation process carried out?
The repatriation was the result of years of diplomatic and cultural negotiations between the Ma’u Henua community, Chilean authorities and the Kon-Tiki Museum in Norway. The return was received with ancestral ceremonies led by the Council of Elders (Mau Hatu), including the umu ritual, and the remains were carried in procession to Ahu Riata for their final rest on Rapanui territory.
