The Sami drums from the 18th century with an origin in Västerbotten which are now temporarily displayed in Stockholm may have an extended display time in Sweden. The drums, which were found in a museum in Marseille, have been on display at the East Asian Museum since last autumn. But in order for the drums to be on display for longer, they are now applying before the end of the month to extend the time to have the drums in the country.
– We hope and believe they will go on display at the World Culture Museum in Gothenburg, Kerstin Andersson tells Amnesty Sápmi, who was one of the participants in the panel debate this week.
18th century drums
It was with the help of the visual artist Anna Senno that a drum after many trips was found in Marseille where later another drum was found. The drums were seized by the Sami in the 18th century and the process of getting the drums back goes on in parallel but takes a long time.
– Sweden is the worst in the class, says Kerstin Andersson, who believes that other countries, such as Norway, have better understood how important objects in Sámi terms must be allowed to come home, are taken care of.
She believes that money must be put into it because expertise is needed to store the unique objects.
Sacred objects
Now they hope to be able to extend the time that the drums can be shown in Sweden by six months which, if it goes through, could give the opportunity to see the Sami drums in Gothenburg later this year.
– Then, of course, it is discussed where the drums should land on the day they are returned to Sápmi. There has been talk, among other things, of the Silver Museum but also of the Lycksele forest and Sami museum, says Kerstin Andersson and concludes:
– Since the drums were once used in the beginning of the 18th century where the Sami villages of Rans and Gran operate, it may be reasonable that they are allowed to come to that area. They are sacred objects and it is important that they are allowed to come home.