A delegation of about twenty Amerindians from Guyana and Suriname, including a shaman and traditional chiefs, were in Paris from September 14 to 22. Their goal was to make contact with their ancestors whose remains have been in boxes at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris for over 130 years.
They were a group of 47 Amerindians brought to the capital in 1892 to be exhibited before visitors. Eight died before their return, due to health problems caused by the mistreatment they suffered. Their remains were never brought back to Guyana. A descendant of one of these natives who survived has been fighting for years with her association for the repatriation of the remains of their ancestors. Shamanic ceremonies were organized in Paris by the delegation, in order to spiritually prepare their return to Guyana.