Manchester Museum hands back 174 objects to Indigenous Australian islanders

Deborah Worsley, second left, whose father acquired the collection, meets members of the Anindilyakwa community, from left, Maicie Lalara, Amethea Mamarika and Noeleen Lalara, in Manchester. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

A UK museum is returning more than 174 objects to an Indigenous Australian community in what is a being hailed as a landmark example of cultural repatriation.

Manchester Museum’s return of the objects is significant because repatriation projects normally revolve around sacred or ceremonial items. Often the objects are considered stolen or were taken in shocking circumstances.