Ancestral Stone returns to Venezuela After Two-Decade Odyssey
Anzoátegui, Venezuela - After more than two decades abroad, a sacred stone stolen from the Pemon Indigenous community of Canaima national Park has finally been returned to Venezuela, completing a journey fraught with diplomatic hurdles, security threats, and a hefty $35,000 price tag covered by the Venezuelan government.The stone,known as Kueka,was repatriated in 2022,marking the end of a protracted struggle for its return and a notable victory for the Pemon people.
The decades-long restitution process stemmed from initial uncertainty over the stone’s original custodians within the Mapuaríes community, followed by extensive diplomatic negotiations.”When they took it, for the Mapuaríes it was not clear if it was the grandfather or the grandmother,” explained researcher Liliana Peña. “The community went through another vindication struggle at that time, this was added a long period of diplomatic claims until it became effective.” The return is particularly poignant for the pemon, who view Kueka as a vital part of their cultural heritage and a symbol of resistance, having previously fought against a controversial hydroelectric project in the late 20th century.
Kueka’s journey didn’t end at the port of Anzoátegui. The stone, which elders described as leaving them “all overwhelmed and a half dying” upon its arrival, still faced a 1,000-kilometer trek across the country to reach its final destination in the Canaima savannah. During the inland transport, the stone faced threats from paramilitary groups who warned they would destroy it. The Pemon community, known for their combative spirit, responded by bolstering security measures.
Today, Kueka rests with its polished side – the result of work done during its time in Europe – facing the ground, while its rough, natural side is turned towards the sun, a testament to its enduring connection to the land and its people.The stone’s return represents not just the recovery of a cultural artifact,but a hard-won battle for Indigenous rights and self-determination.