150 Maya artifacts that formed a part of the museum show "Maya Hidden Worlds" have returned to Belize. Yesterday, they were welcomed into the Museum of Belize with a special blessing:
(Mayan whispering during a prayer session)
During this prayer session, this is where the request is being made to God for the blessing, and in thanksgiving we say thank you Lord for having us back here, giving all the energy to be here together - and getting all back the artifacts that was once gone away form Belize. And we have now in our hands and we are proud to have them back.
A copal incense ceremony, the sacred smoke to bless the return of the items - that have traveled through 11 US cities in the past 12 years.
Melissa Badillo, Director - Institute of Archaeology:
"It was over 150 pieces that were on loan, all have been returned. And what we have on display today is a select few including a wide variety of the different types of artifacts."
The Minister's team and the media were shown these pieces - including the prized and singular Buena Vista vase and the compelling Santa Rita Mosaic Mask.
Melissa Badillo, Director - Institute of Archaeology:
"We have ceramics of course jade, shell, stone artefacts and you will see them. Along with that we did get a donation from the science museum of some of the displays, the interactive pieces that were part of that exhibit and so those have been donated to us and are here already."
One of the interactive pieces were shown today - while the museum prepares a bigger show:
Melissa Badillo, Director - Institute of Archaeology:
"Eventually in the next few months we will be incorporating these pieces into the exhibit, the Maya creative civilization here at the museum of Belize."
But, due to the absence of a proper exhibit space, Belizeans will never experience the pieces as they were displayed in the US:
Francis Fonseca, Minister Of Culture:
"You know, when it was done in 2012, the concept was, well, in ten years we will have a proper space to showcase all of these - ten years have come and gone and nutton noh happen."
"Yeah. No. You're right. I think that's one of the stated goals and objectives of, of the government and and of NICH, to get a proper facility for storage of these items. You know, so when we talk about, as you rightly say, when we talk about repatriation, which has to be something we're serious about, we have to understand that we need space for these things. So, you know, it's nice and romantic to talk about repatriation. But we have to put in place the, the structures, the infrastructure to properly support the preservation of these items. So, yes, no disagreement. I fully agree with you, but we are working on that as a government. It's a stated goal and objective. As you said. It's been talked about for a long time. But, you know, we hope to get that done. You know, over the next certainly over the next five years, that's something we would want to invest in."
Francis Fonseca, Minister Of Culture:
"When these things were exhibited abroad, it was the highest level of curation and presentation. Now they have they pon black table cloth."
"Well, I think, as you said, when we display them for the public, I think it will be a much more, you know, proper display. Today, It's a small showing for the media to show, showcase what has been returned to Belize. Samples of what has been returned to us."
"So, yes, we have a long way to go, but, we can't just say, okay, because of that, we'll keep them outside of Belize, you know, forever. Our people deserve to see them."
"And I know, because I know the people at the museum and the Institute of Archeology, that when we have a proper display upstairs, it will be first class, one first class display."
Between 2012 and 2023 the show featuring those artifacts was seen in the Us cities of Minnesota, Denver, Boston, San Diego, Dallas, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Hartford Connecticut and Atlanta Georgia.
