The Netherlands has returned the sacred Winter Drum and six other culturally significant items to the Native American tribe, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Seven leaders from the Pueblo travelled from El Paso (Texas) to take possession of the revered objects at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden on March 20, 142 years after they were acquired by Dutch anthropologist and collector Herman Ten Kate Jr. Also present were officials from the Netherlands government and representatives from the US embassy in The Hague as the Winter Drum, regarded as the Pueblo’s most important spiritual icon, was officially returned to tribe.
Most Read on Euro Weekly News Wilhelminatoren collapses in Valkenburg: Mystery surrounds historic tower’s overnight fall Luxury dining among the tulips Fraud reports about Booking.com more than triple The 350-year-old drum carved from the same wood as its Summer Drum counterpart, which the tribe still owns, was not on public view but covered by a blanket. Drum is no longer silent David Granillo, one of the Pueblo delegation, told the Dutch media that the drum was no longer silent.
“Yesterday, we got to have a little ceremony. He sounded well, considering he has been gone so long.” A smaller drum with a drumstick, part of a headdress, a shield, rattles and moccasins were also returned to the Pueblo who presented the Wereldmuseum with pottery, traditional Native American blankets and a painting.
The tribe first requested the return of the Winter Drum 60 years ago and Dr W.
