‘It’s Warlpiri identity’: Indigenous photos, drawings and sacred objects come home after 60 years

Warren Japanangka Williams of the Warlpiri Project men’s group holds up a photo of Bullfrog from the collection of photos and drawings returned from the estate of US anthropology professor Nancy Munn, who did her PhD field work at Yuendemu between 1956 and 1958. Photograph: Sia Duff/The Guardian

A group of Warlpiri men contemplate a black and white photo of a lean Aboriginal man. He sits, his hat at a jaunty angle, his beard neat, the scarification lines on his chest stark.

“Ahhh that’s the warrior,” one murmurs. “Bullfrog!” says another.