A two-day event on “September Dialogue on Naga Repatriation, Decolonisation, and Healing” organized by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation-Recover Restore and Decolonise (FNR-RRAD) commenced on Friday, at The Lighthouse Church, Dimapur.
The objective of the event was to provide a platform for intellectual engagement and community reflection on Naga history and identity, bringing together experts to discuss a range of topics pertinent to the Naga community.
The dialogue opened with a presentation by Dr. Dolly Kikon, a professor from the Department of Archaeology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the Director of the Center for South Asian Studies.
Dr. Kikon spoke on the topic “Colonisation, Decolonisation, and Repatriation: Exploring a Naga Perspective,” by delving into the significance of these terms and their relevance to Naga reconciliation. She highlighted the effort to find equivalent terms for repatriation, decolonisation, and healing that resonate across generations, aiding in understanding and addressing these processes from indigenous perspectives.
Dr. Kikon mentioned her effort to remember the number 6,466, which represents the approximate items in the Pitt Rivers Museum’s extensive Naga collection, including 213 human remains.
She emphasized the importance of repatriating ancestral remains from distant locations and recognized the significant role the Nagas in repatriating Japanese soldiers’ remains, which led to the inauguration of a war cemetery by the Chief Minister of Nagaland.
Dr. Kikon noted that when discussions about repatriation first emerged in the Naga context four years ago, they triggered significant reactions among intellectuals.
She elaborated on why the term was so triggering and debated whether the remains should be returned.
On decolonisation, she defined it as recognizing and embracing indigenous history and identity without shame, describing it as a way of life, a practice akin to serving and caring for the community. She concluded by stressing the importance of healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—as an ongoing reintegration process, reflecting on boldness, reconciliation, and transcending suffering.
Dr. Tiatoshi Jamir, Professor of Archaeology at Nagaland University’s Department of History and Archaeology, Kohima Campus, shared his experiences with decolonization in field archaeology within a South Asian context. He emphasized the importance of engaging indigenous communities in decolonizing archaeological practices in Northeast India, particularly in Nagaland.
Dr. Tiatoshi called for revisiting cultural practices imposed by the West, reforming State-Indigenous relationships, and understanding the complexities of secondary burial practices, including mortuary practices, death circumstances, age, and gender.
He also advocated for systematic provenance work and support from governments and institutions to facilitate the repatriation of Naga ancestral remains and artifacts.
He stressed the need for involving Naga scholars specialized in the study of human remains and called for strengthening exchanges between scholars and institutions to develop local human resources. Digitizing Naga materials in British archives and enabling access for Naga scholars were also emphasized as part of the reparation process.
The event also featured Dr. Visier Sanyü, who shared his experiences in his talk on the topic “Echoes of the Jungle: Finding Myself in the Wilderness.” Dr. Sanyü highlighted the significance of stories in building individuals, communities, and nations, recounting memories from World War II when British and Indian armies passed through his village, causing displacement and hardship for the villagers.
Further discussions were led by Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and Dr. P. Ngully on the topic of “Repatriation of Naga Ancestral Remains to Facilitate Processes of Inter-Generation Trauma, Healing, and Reconciliation.” Other speakers included Manngai H. Phom, Dr. Amihe Swu, Dr. Loina Shohe, and Bauna Panmei, who shared their perspectives on “Naga Voices on Memories, Healing, and Decolonisation.”
Earlier, welcome address and introduction was delivered by Dr. Ellen Konyak Jamir, invocation by pastor Imliwapang Longchari and a traditional Naga chant by Dr. Visier Sanyü.