Statia heritage committee recommends postponing reburial of ancestral remains

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius – The Statia Cultural Heritage Implementation Committee (SCHIC) has recommended that the planned reburial of ancestral remains be postponed from November 13 to a later date.

SCHIC said more time is needed to prepare and publish a public summary of the official report submitted by archaeological consultancy SECAR. The findings should also be explained to the community, with descendants and other residents given an opportunity to ask questions before the reburial takes place.

“Proceeding on November 13 would not be responsible while the public report and consultation process have yet to be completed,” said Xiomara Balentina on behalf of the Committee.

The Committee also wants the community to be asked what additional information it would like to receive about the ancestral remains.

Controversy over DNA and isotope research

The Committee has further advised against conducting additional DNA and isotope analyses. According to the committee, the excavations and the removal of samples from the remains were already surrounded by controversy because the community had not been consulted beforehand.

SCHIC said consultations held afterwards showed differing views. Some residents were interested in DNA research that could provide information about their ancestry, while others believed the remains should be left undisturbed and reburied.

Spiritual leaders in Benin were also consulted and advised against further interference with the remains, according to the Committee.

The Committee said the possibility of additional scientific testing was raised by the Executive Council only shortly before the scheduled reburial. Together with the delayed publication of the report, this was among the reasons for recommending a postponement.

The Executive Council will ultimately decide whether the reburial will proceed as scheduled. The Committee said it considers it highly unlikely that the ceremony will still take place on November 13.

Editor’s note: This article was published earlier than intended. It was never the intention for this information to become public before the Statia Cultural Heritage Implementation Committee had the opportunity to inform the St. Eustatius community itself. On behalf of the Committee, Xiomara Balentina offers her sincere apologies to the community for this.