A traditional dance group from Rapa Nui (or Easter Island) performed a ceremony at the British Museum in London in front of one of the giant, iconic statues from their island that has been part of the museum’s collection since 1869.
Footage from the Kari Kari Cultural Ballet shows members of the group singing in front of the Moai Hoa Hakananaiʻa, a basalt statue taken from Rapa Nui in 1868 by the crew of the British ship HMS Topaze, the British Museum said.
The statue was gifted by Queen Victoria to the museum in 1869.
The ballet group said they were in London to perform at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) General Assembly, set to take place between November 20 and December 3. Credit: KARI KARI Cultural Ballet via Storyful
