THE DISTURBING STORY OF THE MUMMIFIED MĀORI HEAD | MOKOMOKAI | ABSOLUTE HISTORY

Cinemavixion Review

This Absolute History documentary delves into the deeply unsettling saga of Mokomokai, the mummified Māori heads that found their way into European collections. The film meticulously unpacks the colonial conquest's dark legacy, illustrating the problematic relationship between Western institutions and indigenous peoples in the 19th century. The recent return of a Mokomokai from the Rouen Museum to New Zealand's Te Papa Institute serves as a poignant focal point, highlighting the ongoing efforts for repatriation and the profound cultural significance of these ancestral remains. It's a somber yet essential exploration of history, ethics, and the enduring fight for cultural restitution, prompting reflection on how such artifacts are viewed and managed today.