A story can remain just as powerful even after a century, especially when fueled by tenacity and passion.
Such is the tale of Maura, a native Igorot from the Suyoc tribe, who found herself transported to the United States in 1904 and made part of a disturbing human zoo exhibit during the 1904 St. Louis World Fair.
The anniversary of Maura’s death in April 2021 thrust her story into the spotlight once again, catching the attention of Filipino-American activist Janna Añonuevo Langholz.
Confronted by the dehumanizing conditions and racial stereotypes these natives faced while being displayed as entertainment for white audiences, Langholz was horrified to learn that the brains of those who perished during the ordeal were cataloged in the Racial Brain Collection, maintained by Czech anthropologist and museum curator Ales Hrdlicka.
Driven by misguided notions of racial hierarchy, Hrdlicka’s actions reflected the worst aspects of his era.
Upon learning of Maura’s untold story, Langholz embarked on a mission to shed light on her narrative and the injustices faced by her people. Growing up where the World Fair had taken place, Langholz felt a profound connection to Maura. The fact that Maura’s grave could not be located, preventing her from receiving the respect she deserved, became a poignant rallying point for Langholz’s relentless research.
“I think the fact that these people lived where I live and they moved through the same spaces where I move through every day made it even more powerful for me and the fact that this was the story of a young woman who was clearly abused and has never been acknowledged in 119 years felt like it was a story that really needed to be told,” she explained.
Langholz’s research caught the attention of investigative journalists at The Washington Post, who were delving into the Racial Brain Collection at the Smithsonian. Their collaboration conceived a graphic novel recounting Maura’s saga.
Maura’s Homecoming
Titled “Coming Home,” the graphic novel encapsulates Maura’s tough journey. Despite the tragic events that defined her life, there is a collective passion to give her a belated, respectful conclusion by having her remains repatriated to the Philippines.
The Philippine Embassy in the US, in partnership with the National Museum of the Philippines, is pursuing the repatriation of Maura’s preserved brain specimen back to her home country.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez stated, “We are committed to finding a way to return those remains, for if they are Filipinos, then it is only fitting that they be laid to rest here. We are determined to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible.”
