In the annals of colonial history, few collections have stirred as much fascination and controversy as that of Major General Horatio Gordon Robley, a British army officer whose obsession with the Maori’s mokomokai—preserved, tattooed heads—left an indelible mark on ethnographic studies and cultural debates. These intricately decorated heads, once revered in Maori culture, became objects of trade and curiosity during the 19th century, revealing a dark intersection of indigenous tradition and colonial exploitation. This article delves into Robley’s life, his collection of mokomokai, and the unsettling history behind these Maori “trophies,” exploring their cultural significance, the grim trade that commodified them, and the ongoing efforts to repatriate these sacred artifacts.
The Musket Wars and Their Consequences
The Musket Wars, exacerbated by the trade in mokomokai, were a devastating period in Maori history. The introduction of European firearms shifted the balance of power, enabling tribes with muskets to dominate those without. The conflicts resulted in an estimated 18,500 casualties and a 20% reduction in the Maori population, as tribes fought to secure heads for trade or to defend themselves against armed rivals. The commodification of mokomokai desacralized their cultural significance, turning sacred relics into tools of survival in a colonial arms race.
In 1831, the Governor of New South Wales issued a proclamation banning the trade in mokomokai, and by 1840, with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand’s transition to a British colony, the export trade largely ceased. However, the damage was done: hundreds of mokomokai had been scattered across Europe and America, housed in museums, medical institutions, and private collections.
Repatriation: Healing a Colonial Wound
Since 2003, the New Zealand government, through the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, has led a campaign to repatriate mokomokai to their homeland. This effort, driven by individuals like Te Herekiekie Haerehuka Herewini, seeks to return these sacred remains to their descendants or store them respectfully at Te Papa while their heritage is researched. By 2023, over 600 ancestral remains, including more than 300 mokomokai, had been repatriated from institutions in countries such as Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The repatriation process is both logistical and emotional. For Maori communities, mokomokai are not mere artifacts but tūpuna (ancestors) whose spirits remain unrested while held in foreign collections. Repatriation ceremonies, often marked by traditional cloaks and respects paid by tribal representatives, aim to restore dignity to these ancestors. However, challenges remain: many mokomokai are still held in private collections or institutions like the British Museum, which retains seven heads despite repatriation requests.
Te Herekiekie’s experiences highlight the emotional toll of this work. In one instance, a UK medical institute’s claim that the mokomokai were “of no value” to them sparked outrage, underscoring the cultural disconnect between colonial collectors and Maori values. The ongoing campaign reflects a broader movement toward reconciliation, seeking to heal the wounds of colonial exploitation.
Robley’s Legacy: A Complex Figure
Robley’s legacy is a paradox. His book Moko; or Maori Tattooing preserved valuable knowledge about a cultural practice that nearly vanished in the mid-19th century, and his illustrations remain a testament to Maori artistry. Yet his collection of mokomokai, acquired through a trade that exploited Maori desperation, casts a shadow over his contributions. While some argue Robley sought to protect these artifacts by returning them to New Zealand (an offer the government declined), others view his actions as emblematic of colonial entitlement, reducing sacred relics to trophies of empire.
The repatriation of Robley’s collection to Te Papa in 2014 marked a significant step toward righting historical wrongs. However, five heads he kept in his personal collection remain unaccounted for, their whereabouts a lingering mystery.
Conclusion
The story of Major General Horatio Gordon Robley and his mokomokai collection is a haunting chapter in the history of colonial encounters. The mokomokai, once sacred symbols of Maori identity and spirituality, were transformed into commodities through a trade that fueled violence and cultural loss. Robley’s fascination with Maori tattooing, while scholarly, was inseparable from the colonial exploitation that commodified these artifacts. Today, the repatriation efforts led by Te Papa and Maori communities stand as a powerful act of reclamation, restoring dignity to ancestors and challenging the legacy of colonial plunder. The mokomokai remind us of the enduring need to confront the past and honor the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples.
