Arcadie blog

N.Z museum mulls options for mummified Maori heads

WELLINGTON (AFP) – For decades, New Zealand has campaigned for museums to repatriate the mummified and heavily-tattooed heads of Maori warriors held in collections worldwide -- now it must decide what to do with the gruesome but culturally valuable relics.

New Zealand's national museum Te Papa has more than 100 of the heads, known as toi moko, in storage in Wellington, along with about 500 skeletal remains plundered from Maori graves as recently as the 1930s.

In Maori culture, the dark swirls and geometric designs of traditional facial tattoos on men recognised high birth and rank, as well as achievements on the battlefield.

Te Herekiekie Herewini, who leads Te Papa's repatriation programme, said the heads of deceased chiefs or family members would be mummified as a way of preserving their spirit, while enemies' heads were preserved as war trophies.

"Initially the mummification of heads and bodies was part of our normal mourning process," he said.

"But when Europeans came, they saw the exotic nature of the heads and they became a coveted trading item because they were of commercial value in Europe, America and Australia."

The heads became so valuable that in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, some Maori hunted members of rival iwis (tribes) and murdered them to supply the burgeoning market in European museums for exotic human remains.

"For some of the iwi, trading in toi moko was strategic in accessing items such as muskets and European tools," Herewini said.

The trade in human heads was banned in the 1830s but over the next century museums turned their attention to skeletal remains.

New Zealand medical students also fed the demand, as they were required to take their own skeletons when they attended overseas colleges, with most of the bones robbed from Maori tombs.

"People would go to known caves or hidden burial sites where they knew Maori remains were and, without permission, they would take them and trade them," Herewini said. "Every museum wanted their own Maori head or Maori skeleton."

The grisly curios continued to be displayed in museums around the world, including New Zealand, until the 1970s.

Herewini said it was around then that Maori began pushing for the repatriation of their ancestors' remains, often meeting fierce resistance from institutions which feared it would set a precedent that could eventually see them forced to return human remains such as ancient Egyptian mummies.

The French parliament last year voted overwhelmingly in favour of returning around 15 Maori toi moko after years of debate about the implications of the move.

"These are much more than simple museum pieces," French lawmaker Michele Tabarot said at the time.

"These are human remains and some of these people were deliberately murdered to satisfy a despicable trade."

Herewini said repatriating remains was an emotional issue for Maori, who had a strong connection to the land and wanted to give the warriors the dignity of a proper funeral.

"For us, it's taking an ancestor back home, so it's the whole process of remembering," he said. "They're family members and it's important for them to be returned home to their resting place.

"The iwi don't know exactly who these people are but they do know they're connected to the land. They think about the different battles they were in, the different lifestyle they lived and the possible connections they have with them directly."

While the remains are returned to their iwi whenever possible, Herewini said that a lack of historical records meant about a quarter of the heads and bones held at Te Papa could not be identified.

They are stored in acid-free boxes in a special area of the museum and never go on display. Even viewing images of toi moko is considered taboo in Maori culture, Herewini said.

Building a permanent mausoleum for the unidentified remains in Wellington is under consideration but the Ngati Kuri tribe, in the country's far north, has put forward an alternative proposal.

They want to bury them near Te Rerenga Wairua, or Cape Reinga, the northernmost point in New Zealand, where Maori believe the spirits of the dead depart for the afterlife.

"It's a special area where there are ancient burial sites," Ngati Kuri Trust chairman Graeme Neho said. "Provided the other iwi agree, we believe placing their final resting place there would be a comfort to them and we would be their guardians."

Regardless of the remains' final destination, Herewiri sad he would continue his quest to return Maori ancestors to their homeland.

"For me, it's about righting a wrong, whether that was committed by Maori or Europeans is really immaterial," he said.

"It's completing the circle and bringing these people back home."

Haas leads at Torrey Pines, Mickelson three back

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) – In-form American Bill Haas, just five days after losing out in a playoff for the Bob Hope Classic, charged into a two-shot lead at the Farmers Insurance Open on Friday.

Taking advantage of another glorious day of sunshine on the southern California coastline, Haas fired a sparkling six-under-par 66 on the ultra-long South Course for an 11-under total of 133.

The 28-year-old piled up four consecutive birdies around the turn before finishing the second round two ahead of compatriot Anthony Kim, who carded a 67 on the South layout.

Three-times champion Phil Mickelson, making his first start on the 2011 PGA Tour, was a further stroke back in a tie for third at eight under after carding a 69 on the North Course.

Level with Mickelson were fellow Americans Bubba Watson (65), Rickie Fowler (71), John Daly (69), Hunter Mahan (67) and defending champion Ben Crane (66), plus Swede Fredrik Jacobson (69).

Six-times winner Tiger Woods, competing in his first event of the year, briefly closed to within two of the lead before slipping back after the turn to end the day with a second successive 69, five off the pace.

Haas, who narrowly missed out on defending his Bob Hope Classic crown on Sunday when beaten by Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas in a three-way playoff, surged to the top of a high-quality leaderboard with eight birdies and two bogeys.

In pursuit of his third PGA Tour victory, he compiled matching loops of three-under 33 to take control of the fourth event of the year on the U.S. circuit.

"I've put myself in that position again to have a nice 36 (holes) on the weekend which could turn this into a great week," Haas, whose father Jay won here in 1978, told reporters.

"So I feel good about it. I feel good about my game and I've played really well the first couple of tournaments."

CLOSE EYE

However, Haas will be keeping a close eye over the weekend on Mickelson, who lives in nearby Rancho Santa Fe and has always enjoyed a huge comfort level at Torrey Pines.

The American left-hander birdied his last two holes on the shorter North layout and was delighted with his position going into the final two rounds.

"It's a good way to finish, to make those two birdies and turn the round that wasn't going the way I wanted into an okay round," Mickelson said. "It was very acceptable.

"I had a bunch of opportunities where putts looked like they might go in and just caught the lip or just slid out. But to make those last two felt good. I'm looking forward to the weekend."

Like Mickelson, Woods finished the day with a flourish. Two birdies in the last three holes lifted the former world number one into a tie for 12th.

"It's a round that could have easily slipped away, but I got it back at 16 and 18," Woods said after mixing six birdies with three bogeys. "We'll see what happens.

"They (organizers) have an opportunity to set this place up like a U.S. Open if they want to. It's just as dry, just as fast, just as hard and the rough's up."

American Daly, who won the most recent of his five PGA Tour titles here in 2004, is playing on a sponsor's exemption this week and is certainly capable of springing a surprise victory.

"With me, you don't know what to expect," the double major champion said. "I just like the way I'm hitting the golf ball, and I love the way I'm stroking it."

The cut fell at one-under 143 with Americans Boo Weekley, Chad Campbell and 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III among those failing to advance.

(Editing by Rex Gowar)

India Maruti's profit falls on rising costs

NEW DELHI (AFP) – India's biggest carmaker by sales, Maruti Suzuki, on Saturday reported an 18 percent slide in quarterly net profit, hit by fast-rising raw material costs and bigger payments to its Japanese parent.

Maruti, 54 percent owned by Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp, said net profit slumped to 5.65 billion rupees ($123 million dollars) in the three months to December from 6.8 billion rupees a year earlier.

The result from the New Delhi-based company, battling mounting competition from India's second-largest carmaker, South Korea's Hyundai, and other rivals, fell shy of analysts' forecasts of around six billion rupees.

The drop came despite a 27 percent jump in sales to 92.8 billion rupees, boosted by new models rolling off the assembly lines of Maruti, which sells one out of every two cars in India.

The firm sold a record 330,687 vehicles, up 28 percent from the same period a year earlier during the three months.

But profit for the fiscal third quarter was undermined by surging prices of steel, rubber and other raw materials, higher royalty payments to Maruti's parent and a firmer yen, Maruti said.

"The increase in commodity costs during the quarter also impacted margins," the company said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Maruti raised prices to counter costlier raw materials.

The company, which has been reluctant to raise prices too sharply because of intense competition, had said rising input costs had become "unbearable."

Maruti's expenses in buying steel, aluminium and other raw materials jumped 27 percent from the year-earlier period to 70 billion rupees.

Other expenses climbed 37 percent to 9.2 billion rupees that included 4.6 billion rupees in royalties to parent Suzuki. Suzuki has been able to siphon greater profits from its Indian unit after India's central bank eased curbs on royalty payments by Indian companies to foreign partners.

Royalties as a proportion of sales totalled more than five percent compared with nearly four percent a year ago. India's market has become increasingly vital to Suzuki with a big chunk of its earnings coming from Maruti.

The rise in the yen's value against the dollar piled extra pressure on Maruti by making imported parts costlier.

India is one of the few countries where car sales are fast increasing thanks to new affluence among India's burgeoning middle class, estimated at 300 million people.

With just one in 10 households in urban areas owning a car and one in 50 in rural areas, India remains a highly under-penetrated and an alluring market, drawing a flood of entrants from General Motors to Ford and Renault -- especially in the biggest-selling small car segment.

Maruti has been producing to maximum capacity to meet strong demand.

It now can turn out 1.2 million vehicles at its two plants in northern India -- one in Manesar and the other in Gurgaon -- and is building two new plants to raise annual output to at least 1.75 million units.

Gay marriage could move forward in some U.S. states

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A handful of U.S. states are poised to take up the issue of gay marriage afresh, due largely to incoming lawmakers who may tip the balance in favor of the controversial measure.

In Maryland, New York and Rhode Island in particular, the legalization of same-sex marriages is moving ahead, organizers and supporters say.

"We have the numbers," said Maryland state Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr. "We've never been in a better position."

The November 2010 election brought a "significant shift," especially in the Senate, said Madaleno, one of Maryland's seven openly gay legislators, three of whom are newly elected.

Even more important, Maryland's Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, which has prevented gay marriage bills from reaching a floor vote, has several new, sympathetic members, said Morgan Meneses-Sheets of Equality Maryland, an advocacy group.

Majority leaders of both houses plan to co-sponsor gay marriage measures. Gov. Martin O'Malley, whose opponent was against gay marriage, has pledged to sign such a bill,

Nationwide, after the Congressional vote to repeal the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy which expelled thousands of gay people from the U.S. military, gay rights advocates are pushing ahead on marriage.

"The work of persuasion, of personal conversations, of talking to lawmakers and mobilizing against a well-funded anti-gay opposition" are among the primary tasks for the lobbying group Freedom to Marry, said founder Evan Wolfson.

"With the freedom to marry within reach this year in states such as New York, Maryland and Rhode Island, now is the time to have those conversations and move marriage forward," he said.

Nearly half of the states have amended their constitutions, however, to prohibit marriage between same-sex partners or defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, rendering gay marriage beyond reach any time soon.

In New York, where newly-inaugurated Gov. Andrew Cuomo strongly supports gay marriage, lawmakers remain divided but advocates say the prospects are improved with the popular governor's backing.

"Its chances only get better," said Democratic Sen. Thomas Duane, the state's only openly gay senator, who has said he would introduce a gay marriage bill and push for a vote by summer. "Public support grows every time the issue is debated."

Although not a supporter, Dean Skelos, leader of the majority Republicans in the Senate, has said he would not block such a bill coming to the Senate floor for a vote so legislators can make their positions known, according to rights group Empire State Pride Agenda.

Put to a so-called conscience vote, gay marriage has a better chance this year than it did in 2009, said Democratic Sen. Malcolm Smith of New York City, when the Assembly approved it but the Senate did not.

"It is premature to make predictions or attempt head counts based solely on prior votes, but there is reason to be confident," said Ross Levi of Empire State Pride Agenda.

One of the most vocal opponents, Bronx Democrat Sen. Ruben Diaz, would not comment on prospects for passage. "There are more pressing issues facing the state," such as the budget and overhauling ethics laws, Diaz said.

Gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Iowa and the District of Columbia, although a bill to revoke it was introduced in Iowa recently.

In California and New Jersey civil unions, which mimic but do not provide all the legal benefits of marriage, are being challenged in court.

The other West coast states, Hawaii and Illinois have broad domestic partnership or civil union provisions. Several states, including Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Carolina and Indiana do not deal with the issue, neither granting nor denying it.

The fresh battles come with passionate opposition.

In Maryland, Republican Sen. Allan Kittleman said he would introduce a bill legalizing civil unions, drawing heat from fellow Republicans.

Maryland Delegate Don Dwyer, who opposes civil unions and gay marriage, said he "can't wait for the debate."

Should gay marriage pass, he said he is confident of a referendum which "will drive the conservatives to the polls," where he predicted it would be defeated.

Marriage bills were introduced this month in the House and Senate in Rhode Island, a heavily Roman Catholic but relatively liberal state, where polls show a majority of residents favor what advocates call "marriage freedom."

Newly elected Gov. Lincoln Chafee, whose predecessor vowed to veto gay marriage, voiced support at his inauguration, stressing the potential economic benefits.

But the Senate in Rhode Island is presided over by Sen. Teresa Paiva Weed, a gay marriage opponent.

(Additional reporting by Susan Schept in Arlington, Virginia and Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Greg McCune)

Inter reignite title charge as Napoli stumble

ROME (AFP) – Inter Milan continued their 100 percent record under Leonardo, beating Bologna 4-1 at the San Siro on Saturday as title rivals Napoli slipped up in a 0-0 draw at home to Fiorentina.

After a difficult first half to the season, Inter were looking like their old selves again as they cruised to victory against their troubled opponents, leaving them perilously close to the drop zone.

Dejan Stankovic, Diego Milito and a Samuel Eto'o brace -- taking his tally to 23 goals in 26 games this season -- moved Inter up to fourth, for a day at least, and just eight points behind leaders Milan having played a game less.

It was a special night of celebration for Inter as captain Javier Zanetti equalled Giuseppe Bergomi's record of 519 Serie A appearances for the club.

Henry Gimenez scored Bologna's late consolation in a terrible week for the club who were hit with a three-point deduction for failing to pay taxes and player salaries.

It was vintage Inter from the off as Leonardo's team romped to their fourth straight win under the Brazilian, who took over from the sacked Rafael Benitez at the end of December.

But Leonardo downplayed his own contribution.

"This is the same Inter that we've seen for a long time. Inter have very clear ideas, a gameplan, players in form," he said.

"We've managed to win difficult matches, we've struggled like against Napoli, we came back against Catania but today was an almost complete performance."

Inter have scored 12 goals in Leonardo's four games but also conceded five from set-pieces.

"I don't think it's a defect, it's a coincidence. We've conceded a few goals from set pieces."

Milito had an early chance but somehow managed to hit the woodwork from just two yards out while Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, a reported Inter target, made excellent saves to deny Eto'o and Maicon.

Inter went in front on 20 minutes as Eto'o burst past a defender and then slid a pass into Stankovic to score into an unguarded net, although TV replays suggested the Serbian may have been offside.

Ten minutes later and the hosts doubled their advantage as an inch-perfect pass from Thiago Motta sent Milito scampering away before teasing a defender and then finishing left-footed across Viviano, the ball passing through the goalkeeper's fingers.

Viviano may have been hoping his potential new employers missed that error while opposing keeper Luca Castellazzi seemed determined to show he's worth holding onto.

On 34 minutes Marco Di Vaio had a great chance breaking beyond the Inter defence but Castellazzi made a splendid one-handed save from his 20-yard shot.

And moments later he made a sprawling save to stop a Di Vaio free-kick.

Inter seemed to have taken their foot off the peddle after the break as Bologna pushed for a route back into the game.

Gimenez shot narrowly over and then Di Vaio flashed another free-kick barely an inch past the post.

But Bologna's hopes of dragging themselves back into the game were killed by a wonderful goal on 63 minutes.

Eto'o teased a defender out on the left, nutmegged him in passing to Milito who sent a first time backheel into the Cameroon forward's run and Eto'o finished crisply into the bottom corner.

Eto'o put the final nail in Bologna's coffin with a sweetly-struck free-kick into the top corner.

Gimenez then prodded home 13 minutes from time but the game was already over.

Napoli failed to capitalise on their chance to close in on AC Milan in a dull and frustrating stalemate.

The point keeps the southerners second in Serie A, but still three points behind Milan who have a game in hand away to Lecce on Sunday.

Coach Walter Mazzarri insisted he was happy with his team, though.

"I'm not looking at the table, we're in competition with ourselves. We need to improve and we are improving," he said.

"We gave our all today, we were balanced without giving away anything at the back. We're high up in the league and all we must do is continue on this path."