The patrimonial assets, of bone origin, were delivered to three indigenous communities of Manabí, Esmeraldas and Pichincha.
Ceremony for the repatriation of heritage assets to the Kayambi people, at the Tránsito Amaguaña Intercultural Center, Tumbaco, on May 24, 2023.
The heritage assets, which were in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), were repatriated to the country, the US Embassy said in a statement on May 30.
The remains, of bone origin, were delivered, between May 23 and 24, to the Ecuadorian indigenous communities of three provinces:
- Sequita Commune and the Pepa de Huso Commune of Manabí
- Chachi Federation of Esmeraldas
- Kayambi people, Tumbaco, Pichincha.
The repatriation occurred under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the NMAI of the United States and the Ministry of Culture, signed in 2019.
In addition, the assets have already been registered with the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (INPC), during an official ceremony.
“The Smithsonian Museum has maintained a direct line of communication with the communities, respecting their customs, traditions, and preferences based on their own worldview,” said US Ambassador to Ecuador Michael J. Fitzpatrick.
He added that “the United States cooperates with the government and institutions of Ecuador to protect and preserve cultural heritage.”
