Relics to be returned to Myanmar

A Kiwi family whose British military ancestors took “souvenirs” from a sacred Burmese temple after a fierce war more than 160 years ago is returning the rare artefacts to Myanmar next week on a personal cultural repatriation mission.

Growing up on his family’s Whangarei farm, Gareth Bodle was fascinated by the silver and stone statues that sat high on the mantelpiece.

Both of his great-great-grandfathers in 1852 fought in the Second Anglo-Burmese War — the second of the three wars fought between the Burmese and British forces during the nineteenth century.

During the fighting, British soldiers captured the Shwemawdaw Pagoda of Bago — at 114m the tallest pagoda in Myanmar. Built by the Mon people more than 1000 years ago, it is also one of country’s most sacred sites, enshrining several relics of the Buddha, and remained under British military control until 1929.

Bodle’s ancestors, Major Donald George Angus Darroch and Ensign George Bodle, took antiquities from Shwemawdaw Pagoda as mementos.

Bodle’s son George went on to marry Darroch’s daughter Eliza Jeanetta and they emigrated to New Zealand in 1885, bringing with them the Burmese relics.

Hobsonville lawyer Bodle says his family has decided to return the items “back to their rightful owners”.

“The stuff is not really ours,” the 60-year-old said. Myanmar officials responded with interest.

And on Friday, Bodle and his partner Jennifer George fly to Myanmar to repatriate the items, which are being shipped off ahead of them.

“I’d like to think that we will come away with a connection with Myanmar that is more durable and personal than simple a statue of Buddha sitting in the lounge,” Bodle said.