Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
21 April, 2026, 7:00 am
Central - 24°C Clouds
IN DEPTH
21 April, 2026, 7:00 am Central - 24°C Clouds

Two Tongan skulls held in a Sydney museum have been repatriated to their traditional owners

Two Tongan skulls held in a Sydney museum have been repatriated to their traditional owners

By Iliana Biutu
17/01/2024
The remains were laid to rest in a royal funeral service attended by hundreds.(Supplied: Joshua Matakimango Savieti)

The remains of two Tongan male skulls stored in the Australian Museum's collection in Sydney have been repatriated to their present-day descendants living on Eua Island in the south of Tonga.

They say more than 150 years after they died, the remains, skulls of one boy and one man, were laid to rest in a royal funeral service attended by hundreds last Wednesday.

They add it came after several months of negotiation between the museum, the Royal Palace of Tonga and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

skulls-2-sm

Mana Fonua, a descendant of Ata Island where the remains are believed to have originated, said having them returned brought closure to the community.

Fonua says that their ancestors are finally in their rightful place.

Source: ABC News

skulls-3-sm

FEATURE NEWS
Commander says RFMF remains committed to accountability
The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major General Jone Kalouniwai has issued a statement to correct aspects of its initial communic...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Damaged and missing road signs increase accident risk
The Fiji Roads Authority continues to face a growing concern over damaged and missing road signage across the network, driven by vandalism, theft and ...
6 minutes ago

Commander says RFMF remains committed to accountability
The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major General Jone Kalouniwai has issued a statement to correct aspects of its initial ...
1 hour ago

Supervisor of Elections to appear on fijivillage Straight Talk at 7pm Wednesday
Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 7pm Wednesday.The show will focus on the ...
12 hours ago

FTUC wants unionists to be allowed to contest elections, and raises concerns over military role and coup immunity in Constitution
The Fiji Trades Union Congress wants unionists to be allowed to contest the general elections, and has also raised concerns about the 2013 ...
13 hours ago

Hibiscus Festival 2026 to return to Albert Park
Hibiscus Festival 2026 is going back to its original home at Albert Park, marking a historic milestone as Fiji’s most iconic community event ...
13 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Drug lord Jone Vakarisi dies in military custody as investigations find unauthorised weapons outside RFMF inventory
Druglord, Jone Vakarisi has died in militsry custoday, 3 other associates have been released after questioning, 1 RFMF personnel remains in military ...
14 hours ago

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau's State Funeral
Ratu Epeli was a highly respected Fijian chief and a people’s President as many would remember him on many occasions walking on the streets of Suva ...
5 days ago

TC Vaianu Coverage
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is urging the public to remain alert, prepared, and watch out for one another as Tropical Cyclone ...
12 days ago

TOP