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Chile demands return of statues
The British Museum’s social media accounts were recently bombarded with messages from influencers in Chile insisting they give back statues that were taken from the Chilean territory of Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, more than a century ago. The two stone statues of human figures, known as moai statues, were gifted to Queen Victoria in 1869, who then donated them to the British Museum.
The inhabitants of Easter Island believe the statues brought peace to the island and have long called for their return.
Chilean social media influencer Mike Milfort recently renewed the call when he asked his followers to write “return the moai” in the comment section of the museum’s Instagram, Facebook and YouTube accounts.
One of the statues in the British Museum – the Hoa Hakananai’a – is of particular importance to Rapa Nui. Its name means “the stolen friend”.
The Hoa Hakananai’a
